Finding Diabetes Supplies for Less – 5 Hidden Ways to Save on Diabetes Medication
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that, in 2021, 1.3 million Americans rationed their insulin to avoid high costs.
As per the Guardian, an estimated 16.5% of Americans have diabetes, proving that a high number of patients are looking for diabetes supplies for less.
Unfortunately, the high cost of prescription meds for diabetes, like Ozempic, continues to make it more difficult for patients to consistently afford their medication. This is why so many patients are looking for patient assistance programs for diabetic supplies or diabetic assistance programs.
Their diabetes expenses are a heavy burden that weighs on them every day.
And while doctors focus on treatment, rarely do they share simple tricks such as these 5 hidden ways to save on diabetes supplies for less. Since brand-name medications are often the first option doctors prescribe, other options or ways to save aren’t often discussed by your doctor, unless you know to ask.
From patient assistance programs for diabetic supplies to insider tips, you could benefit from knowing you have these 5 options.
We’ll give practical tips, answers to common questions, and give you powerful resources to help reduce your diabetes expenses and get diabetes supplies for less.
It’s time to focus on quality of life…not your budget.
Way #1: Tap into Patient Assistance Programs to get Diabetic Supplies for Less
What are PAPs?
Pharmaceutical companies understand that some of their products may be too expensive for the average American. Due to research, development, and product costs, the manufacturers sometimes must price their medications at a high retail cost.
Knowing this, many manufacturers will offer their brand-name medications through non-profit arms called patient assistance programs. These programs, such as diabetes patient assistance programs, provide Americans who qualify with medication at affordable rates.
Patient assistance programs for prescription drugs are typically for those who are underinsured or uninsured, low-income, or struggling with high copays.
Patients with diabetes may benefit from finding diabetes assistance programs, including patient assistance programs for diabetic supplies.
Sadly, many of these programs are complex to navigate, requiring time-consuming phone calls, complicated forms and document submissions, and ever-changing qualifications and procedures.
We at Prescription Hope provide help to Americans across the nation every day, helping them access diabetes supplies for less and many other patient assistance programs for prescription drugs.
Way #2: Go Generic to Slash Diabetes Expenses
Many times, patients don’t realize that the diabetes medication their doctor is prescribing them, such as Glucophage or Diabeta, may have cheaper generic alternatives available.
Even more surprisingly, Johns Hopkins reports, “Patients who had received bad medical news had a 1.3 percent reduced propensity to choose the generic option, compared to control patients.”
This means that, despite the average 80-85 percent price discount when comparing generics to brand-name drugs, patients may be less inclined to look to a generic when their health is on the line…even though experts consider generics to be safe alternatives.
Doctors may not suggest generics for their patients due to perceived apprehension on the part of their patients, lack of knowledge on the subject, or relationships built with brand-name manufacturers.
You, however, should know that generics can be a viable option for life-saving medication, such as your diabetes medication. The ability to get those diabetes supplies for less through generic offerings can mean the difference between skipping treatment and maintaining a prescribed treatment regimen.
Way #3: Diabetes Assistance Programs: Score Manufacturer Coupons and Discounts
Copay cards or discount programs from the manufacturers provide discounted savings to those looking to save on their medications. There are options, such as the Ozempic savings card, which can help patients save hundreds of dollars on their prescription.
Oftentimes, these are useful alternatives for those looking to reduce their diabetes expenses. While prescription assistance programs and patient assistance programs may require an application process that requires qualification, savings cards and coupons do not.
However, the savings may be limited depending on the medication. Those looking for diabetes supplies for less may benefit from manufacturer coupons and discounts, but every patient should explore all of their options.
While they may save a certain percentage on their diabetes medication, patients may have the opportunity to get access to their medication for $70.00 per month, per medication, through services like Prescription Hope.
Way #4: Leverage Insurance – But know the Tricks to get Diabetes Supplies for Less
Your insurance may help you with your diabetes expenses, but you may also deal with high copays or expensive deductibles in the process.
When dealing with insurance, always communicate with your insurance provider to see what options you have regarding your insurance coverage and medication costs. Sometimes, insurance may provide more coverage for one medication and less for another medication that is similar. This means you may be forced to pay more for a diabetes medication when you could get diabetes supplies for less by making a phone call to your insurance provider and doctor.
Also, some diabetes assistance programs may allow for an insurance denial. To better understand how you can access a patient assistance program for diabetic supplies, feel free to reach out to Prescription Hope and get some answers from one of our trained advocates.
Many times, your doctor will not go in-depth on patient assistance programs for prescription drugs because they haven’t worked much with those programs or understand how they operate.
Instead, be sure to consult with the experts on prescription assistance programs while continuing to discuss options with your doctor.
Way #5: Work with an Advocacy Service Like Ours to Access Prescription Assistance Programs
Applying for diabetic assistance programs to get your diabetes supplies for less can be time-consuming and complicated. Many patients give up on the process or never start due to the difficult nature of getting approval from the program.
Prescription Hope offers expert advocacy as PAP navigators. For 20 years, we’ve helped Americans across the nation get access to patient assistance programs for diabetic supplies in order to reduce their diabetes expenses.
For many of them, getting diabetes supplies for less, such as Jardiance, is the difference between taking their medication and rationing care to pay the bills.
We believe no American should have to make that choice.
Some of our patients save hundreds, if not thousands, every month on their medication costs, all because they took a few minutes to fill out our secure online enrollment form.
Once we receive your enrollment form, we will contact you within 48 hours and determine whether you prequalify for the prescription assistance program you’re looking to apply for.
After we’ve prequalified you, we collect all necessary documentation, fill out all of your forms, connect with your healthcare provider to get proper signatures and forms, and even coordinate with the manufacturer throughout the process.
Once approved, our patients typically can expect to receive their medication within 2 to 4 weeks. All medication is shipped directly from the manufacturer to your house or doctor’s office.
Conclusion: Get Diabetes Supplies for Less
Many different ways exist to get diabetes supplies for less. Most times, a few extra questions can net you hundreds of dollars in savings every month. Unfortunately, plenty of doctors either don’t know these options exist or don’t think to explore them with you.
To get the most savings you can, be sure to ask questions and take a few minutes to research alternatives.
And if you need help finding diabetes supplies for less, then be sure to fill out our enrollment form today!
