PAP for Diabetes, Programs, Benefits, Costs, a Guide

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Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Mon May 01 2023)

Diabetes continues to be one of the leading medical conditions among Americans and gradually around the world. This has made diabetes management expensive in the U.S.

However, thankfully there are many patient assistance programs (PAP). A PAP for diabetes can help patients to better manage their diabetes expenses.

In this article, we’re going to provide a clear understanding of these different patient assistant programs available for diabetes. Here’s the quick takeaway, then we’ll get into some of the benefits and methods available.

What does PAP’s for diabetes mean? Patience Assistance Programs (PAP) for diabetes aims to provide financial support for diabetes patients. Certain drug manufacturers and suppliers offer PAP programs. The eligibility or requirement to qualify for this program mainly depends on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

So, what does all this mean for you if you’re a diabetes patient? Let’s dive into more details.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the average cost of health care for a person with diabetes is $16,752 a year. This is roughly twice the cost of medical expenses for a person without diabetes.

Patience Assistant Programs for Diabetes

PAP for diabetes, sometimes called Diabetes Care Programs, are financial assistance programs that are specifically created by certain diabetes drug manufacturers and suppliers.

As the name suggests, these assistance programs are aimed at providing financial assistance to those in need. This includes patients who have no insurance coverage (because they can’t afford them) or those who have insurance coverage, but the insurance copayments are prohibitively expensive.

The assistance is provided by covering the cost of diabetes supplies. This includes diabetes medications and other equipment like test strips, lancing devices, insulin pumps, and glucose monitoring kits. The equipment that is covered and the eligibility for the program all differ on the provider.

Usually, with many PAPs for diabetes, the annual income and the condition of diabetes are the only factors that decide the eligibility for the assistance. However, during the application process, other information may be requested. Information like age, marital status, and other health conditions the patient is going through are required for processing the application.

The secondary information should not disqualify a person from the eligibility for the PAP. However, you should make sure that all information is filled out correctly.

Most of these PAPs use the Federal Poverty Guidelines, referred to as the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), as the income margin to decide the eligibility for the PAPs. For example, if a person’s income is less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), then the person would be considered eligible for the PAP. In 2017, this calculation of 300% of the FPL was around $36,180.

This means that if a person’s annual income is below this required amount, then the patient will qualify for the PAP. In the case of a two-person household, this Federal Poverty level is $48,720.

There are some assistance programs for diabetes that are two-tiered. This means that if the annual income is below $20,000, then the diabetes supplies and all medication will be completely free. On the other hand, if the annual income is below $30,000, then the program might allow a 75% price reduction.

Also, some PAPs for diabetes may want patients or enrollees who are elders to have certain insurance coverage. In contrast, some PAP’s for diabetes are allowed only for patients without any insurance coverage.

The Benefits of PAP’s for Diabetes

Benefits for diabetes patients are provided in the following ways.

1. Reimbursement – This is where a certain percentage of the diabetes cost is reimbursed after providing the receipt and details of the diabetes spending
2. Coupons – This is where discount coupons are given, which patients can redeem directly at the specified pharmacies or diabetes supplying companies.
3. Pharmacy discounts – This is where the PAP has a direct relationship or agreement with specific pharmacies. This allows the discounts to be applied directly at the time of purchase for the particular diabetes medications at the specific pharmacy.
4. Free shipping – This is where diabetes medications or any other supplies are directly shipped to the enrollee.

Since these PAP’s are aimed at those needing financial assistance, there’s no enrollment cost or application fee or any other cost to participate. However, how one can apply differs.

A patient can apply for these PAP’s easily through our PAP here at Prescription Hope. Simply fill in our application form , and we will process that for you.

There are a few ways and methods through which diabetes patients can obtain assistance for managing their diabetes financially. Some of these methods are as follows.

Methods of Gaining Diabetes Medication Assistance

Mail Order Pharmacies

One of the easiest and most convenient ways to save on diabetes expenses is to make use of mail-order pharmacies.

Although this may not be a direct PAP route, the result is similar. Since you’re leveraging the company’s experience, it means they handle the process, and they can take the pain out of your application.

Either way, this provides diabetes patients with the help they may need to reduce the cost for those who are in need financially. Mail-order pharmacies can reduce the cost of diabetes expenses, meaning much less money out of your pocket.

This also provides the benefit of getting regular re-supplies delivered at a lesser cost. Some mail-order pharmacies also offer free shipping for those with Medicare coverage.

Preventative Care

Preventative care includes services like diabetes screening for adults who are overweight, obese, and have high blood pressure – with no out-of-pocket cost. Children and adults can get obesity screening and weight management counseling under this preventive care for no real extra cost.

By participating in these screenings and catching the potential for a health condition early on, you have an opportunity to prevent yourself from being put on medication. A PAP for diabetes helps those that are already on medication.

Preventative care can keep you from getting to the point where you need medication. Talk to your doctor about steps you can take to ensure you are getting back to a healthy lifestyle. These steps may include improving your diet and exercise.

Medicare

Even Medicare has certain coverage, which provides financial assistance to cover many diabetes services and supplies. Especially, Medicare part B and D cover this kind of financial assistance for diabetes.

However, one may also have to pay a deductible, copayment, and coinsurance to get this assistance.

Medicaid

Medicaid is another program that provides PAPs for diabetes. This is a program funded by the Government and the state, especially for people with low income and few assets.

Every state in the U.S runs its own Medicaid program that provides financial assistance for diabetes and several other medical conditions based on the state’s federal rules.

To Finish

We hope this guide has been useful in understanding more about obtaining medications under PAPs for diabetes. The message we would like to convey here is that there are options available to those people with diabetes who need access to affordable medicines.

Contact us and learn about Prescription Hope’s medication access service today! Feel free to ask any questions you may have in regard to affording your medication. The team at Prescription Hope knows that it can be difficult to afford life-saving medications such as insulin. We work directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide you with the medication you need at a set, affordable cost. Enroll with us to find out if you are eligible.