How to Get Free Diabetes Supplies

Every year millions of Americans are diagnosed with diabetes and millions more go undiagnosed. Having diabetes is a major health issue. It can lead to blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and more. Many diabetics are able to control their diabetes with diet and medication. But the cost of medication is expensive. In the United States close to 2 billion dollars is spent on diabetes each year. There are ways however to get free diabetes supplies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Medicare or Insurance
• or meet income levels for free health care
• Doctors prescription for glucose meter
• Qualify for other free health aid

1. Sign up for free diabetes supplies with an online provider. Online providers will work with your insurance or medicare to save you time and money. They will fill out the forms, collect the payments and deliver your diabetes supply directly to you. See resources for some to try.

2. Ask your doctor to write a prescription for a glucose meter. Take it to the pharmacy and ask what meters they have available for free with a doctor's prescription. Manufacturers of diabetic supplies want you to buy their test strips so they will often give the meters which average around $80.00 away for free. Be sure to ask your doctor about any programs he knows of to get free diabetes supplies.

3. Visit your local health department to see if you qualify to get free diabetes supplies or a reduced rate.

4. Go to the GlaxoSmithKline website to see if you qualify for programs for free diabetes supplies. GSK has given close to 400 million dollars in medications to patients who need it. See resources for link.

Tips & Warnings

• Your physician and pharmacist may have additional ideas on how to manage the cost of diabetes and get free diabetes supplies.

Resources

• American Diabetes Works with Your Insurance
• Liberty Medical Works with Your Insurance
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Find a Federally Funded Health Center
• National Diabetes Information

[lighthouse1958]

on 8/28/2009 Thanks for all your helpful information on this subject. I couldn't afford my testing strips so I have someone that knows me sharing his with me. He went and bought me the same meter he has so we can share. Wasn't he nice to do this? I know someone else that went to the health department like you suggested, and she got them. thanks. 5*

[mymukki]

on 8/25/2009 Excellent article, very knowledgeable with thorough instructions!

[rcryder]

on 8/25/2009 very good article. 5