Free Diabetic Insulin or help with the costs. (blood, Walmart, work)

[JD59]

Been told by my Diabetic Education center there is many programs out now that help people that take insulin can get free insulin or help on some of the cost. I have a appointment this month to see about all these programs which I hope will help me on costs. When Apidra is 111.00 a vial and Levemir is 230.00 a vial it's getting way over priced.

[markg91359]

John,

The cost of insulin and diabetes supplies is quite high and I would recommend the following to you: If you live in a community that that has a Community Health Center than go there and talk to them.

Community Health Centers are publicly funded entities that are located in poor communities with a mandate to serve lower income populations. The fees for medical services are "sliding-scale" and based upon your ability to pay. Generally, many pharmaceutical companies provide medications to the CHC's at low cost. This enables them to provide them to the population they serve at an economical price.

Insulin was discovered by a Canadian physician named Fred Banting in the early 1920's. Banting was not interested in making a fortune. Accordingly, he worked out an agreement with the pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, to provide insulin to diabetics at an extremely low price. This lasted for literally decades. However, insulin choices were quite limited.

In the last twenty years, pharmaceutical companies have invented special insulins that act for specific periods of time. On the upside, they are more effective in helping a diabetic maintain good blood glucose control. However, the downside is that they tend to be enormously expensive--as you have pointed out.

If there is no CHC near you, you might also talk to your family doctor or endocrinologist about access to special programs directly through the pharmaceutical company.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Here are some resources, maybe it will help: American Diabetes Association - Resources for Discount Strips, Insulin Help, and Medical Assistance - American Diabetes Association Community

[phonelady61]

I know a friend of mine is a diabetic and she uses the reli on by Walmart . they produce the machine and the insulin it is the same as novolin insulin , just a suggestion that maybe your dr could switch you to that brand I know she told me that they make several versions of the reli on such as reg , lente , both short acting and long acting insulins so I thought I would mention that . I hope this helps . take care of yourself .

[JD59]

Thanks for the help and I will post what I find out about Free insulin or help with the costs on here after my appointment.

[Gilah G.]

Mom took part in a clinical study. Yes, the meds were free...but we just found out and she feels in her gut that the meds she took has caused damage to her heart due to the side effects of increased blood pressure.