Assistance

• Through both Medicare and Medicaid there is coverage for diabetes supplies. For most, under these plans your supplies will be free. The American Diabetes Association says it is working with the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that will increase the coverage of diabetes supplies for people under Medicaid. If you have no health insurance to cover the cost of supplies, then applying for state-assisted health coverage can help. According to Islets of hope (a website helping people find assistance locally), there are also state-sponsored programs and non-profit organizations that help people with the cost of diabetes supplies.
  
  

Discounts Galore

• Bulk Supplies
  
  It really is simple to find discounted bulk diabetes supplies. If you have health insurance, normally it will cover most of the cost, leaving you with a small co-pay. However, some insurance plans only pay for half the cost of supplies through a pharmacy; and the pharmacy is charging retail price, making the co-pay more than what you will pay for the supplies for online. The Internet is the best place to look for discounted diabetes supplies. Tips for buying on the Internet:
  
  1. Buy from a reputable website
  
  2. Make sure you buy supplies that are new, within their expiration date, and sealed in their original packages.
  
  3. Find sites that offer a discount for buying in bulk, such as free shipping if you order a certain amount.
  
  4. Look for people selling supplies in the newspaper or on a local classified website.
  
  There are people who receive free supplies and end up with too much, so they sell them, and normally well below retail cost!
  
  

Medicare

• If you are on Medicare and still paying out of pocket for diabetes supplies, check out the numerous companies that offer free supplies, shipped right to your door at no cost to you. Such companies ask you to fill out a brief application or apply by phone. They check your Medicare coverage, if they can bill Medicare for the cost of supplies, they will and send you the supplies for free. This is an easy way to find out just how much of your supplies can be covered by Medicare with no cost to you. According to medicare.gov, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out what supplies are covered under your plan and where to get your supplies.