yep i left New Orleans to escape the Hurricane then i was stranded in LA (everyone bought up all the gas just to store it forcing me to stay out on my own) then when i came back to my job i asked if i could transfer they said yes, then pulled back the offer.
so now im living with my friends in Alabama without a job and now no Health Insurance luckily i foundw work at a bar which is okay but not nearly enough to survive.
ive moved from one problem to worse problems
now i really need insulin and i have nothing to turn to but my own money, its pretty MESSED UP
ive actually thought about moving to Canada and becoming a citizen
For something from the other side of the world…
Having diabetes in a third world country, a challenge. Being diabetic in a third world country, now that is a greater challenge.
No insurance in Philippine shores would co-pay for diabetic supplies (medications, strips, yada…), and now that we are experiencing lay-offs left and right (if you are not yet aware, Intel just pulled out its operations in the Philippines. Others are about to follow suit.), I just can’t help thinking if I would still have a job when I wake up 7 am est.
For me, it has been a matter of well, making ends meet–easier said than done. One thing I can say: Hang in there, everyone. Good time are bound to be ahead.
"Just a reminder!!!
All colleges and K-12 schools offer a student health insurance plan that is reasonably inexpensively. Sometimes it is better for a person to enrolling a college class so they can get to the student health plan at the university. Call the Bursar’s office or the counseling center at your university for details. the insurance is not the greatest, but It will be reasonable and it will be inexpensive. It will offset hospital visits and high dollar items. I know at least two people who have used these policies for cancer treatments. I suggest at least calling and checking.
Also remember, you may remian in your parents health plan until you are 24. It used to be 21, but it recently increased to 24.
Rick Phillips"
Rick,
ALL colleges don’t offer health plans. My daughter went back to school and I’m paying her insurance as her state supported Jr. College school only has a Student Health service.
In many states, you DON’T have to get married to share insurance. If you live together, you can file papers saying you are “domestic partners” and about half the plans will cover your partner.
The Relion strips are much cheaper than the name brands. Not quite as good as the Ultra, but in my experience (my partner has one) about the same as Aviva.
Insurance is a nightmare in the U.S. and I am deeply concerned that the changes coming up will only perpetuate the system. Dascle is too financially connected to the insurance industry and other health lobbyists. We need REAL change, not the same system that leaves so many people, ESPECIALLY THE SELF EMPLOYED high and dry.
There are many states where I and my partner could not live because we are both self employed and both have preexisting conditions. MA guarantees us insurability and plans that are fair and cover what they say they cover (NOT the case in CT!) but they cost SO much I don’t know how you could cover a whole family if you earned a normal income.
I think you’ve acted wisely enough. (And if you ever do feel like donating them, there are worthy causes like ipump.org and local hospitals and endo offices.) But I do the same thing. I have WAY more strips, lancets, and IV preps than I will ever use. That way money can be saved for infusion sets and insulin if I were in a pinch. I, too, refill prescriptions when I know they can be refilled, regardless of whether I’m out or not. And I’ve started trying to restart my cgm sensors to make them last a few days longer.
This is the link I’ve been trying to remember. We did a great discussion thread last year on Patient Assistance Resources.
The assistance would help ; but only if you “currently” are under a Doctors care. If you cant afford to go to the Dr to begin with… your “outta luck and on your own.”
I also have been without insurance or a job for two years now as I have been a caregiver for my mother who is ill. This in of its self is a bit ironic. Just a bit of background here… When my mother became ill again her doctors called and told me that I, we, should come home. So my sister and I who are roommates and were living in central Ohio, decided to drop everything and moved back home to northeast Ohio. I walked away from a job with great pay and excellent benefits to be there for my mother. Our plan was for my sister to care for my mother since she has a medical background while I got a great job. Well that’s not how it happened and my sister found work first, and I’m still searching for even a minimum wage job. Just recently, my mother has gone into Hospice care (as a resident) just this past December 31st and I graduated with my bachelor’s degree January 4th and continue to still look for work daily as I have for the last two years.
Shortly after returning home I went back to see my old doctor here locally, which I paid out of pocket for the visit. At first he adjusted my meds to work with the $4 prescription plan through the pharmacy at Giant Eagle grocery stores, and would give me samples of my insulin (Humalog) from his office for free. But now his office can no longer give me the insulin samples for free so he wrote scripts for the pharmacy. Somehow my insulin only costs $30 for two vials a month, but still costs a fortune when you don’t have the money. But then I have almost depleted my stash and I now have about a half box of syringes, 20 lancets, both of which I use over and over again, and I am using expired test strips. While I was in school the option for insurance wasn’t there or I would have taken the option. Currently I have three refills left on all my meds. And in order for me to get more refills, I am will be forced to visit him soon, my doctor, with no money or insurance.
By no means is my sugar under any kind of control at this time and I constantly worry about my health. I suffer daily and try my hardest to not have my family worry either. I tend to hide and even lie about what is really happening and my sugar readings. When I am desperate for help or not able to fix something, I do ask. I’m not ignoring the situation, I am fully aware as to what is happening to me and my health. And now apparently the ER/Hospital where I have gone when in trouble has stated that I can no longer go there due to outstanding bills. So I will find a different ER/Hospital system. This is fine with me as they have ridiculed and insulted me for not having a job or insurance to a degree I never thought could be achieved. I have gone to the “welfare” department trying to get only a medical card, but unless I have children or get pregnant, it’s not going to happen. I tried to go to the free clinic but they apparently have no one who could treat someone on a long term basis with diabetes. My family helps when possible but they are under the financial crunch also. So until I find a job, prayerfully with insurance, I’m unpleasantly stuck. I also am living on a wing and a prayer. But to take care of and spend time with my mother will never be regretted, and I wouldn’t change a thing and would do it all over again. I believe something great is around the corner for me soon.
This wasn’t exactly in line with the discussion topic Manny originally posted, in how we are dealing with these economic times, but I guess I needed to vent! Sorry for the long story.
Nikki
I just found out this week that my last day of work is Friday… yeah for layoffs… but not really. So I am thankful for this week, because I have been able to fill my perscription for my apidra and fill a perscription for lantus, just in case I run out of pump supplies before I have have new insurance. I have about 600 hundred strips right now sitting at home, so that should do me for about 3 months. I still have left over sryinges and I can get more of them cheap at Walmart. Plus my educator has assured me that they will be able to help me out if I have a need. I have a doctors appoint with them in March, so I am hoping I have insurance by then, but if not they are usually pretty cool about the cost of appointment… I just won’t get the A1C test this time around.
I have been without insurance before and I am better prepared this time. If I have to, I will go back to Walmart insulin. It isn’t my favorite, but it is cheap and it works. I can even switch to reli on gluco machine and strips as well. Dr. appointments might be a little rough, but I have a friend who is a social worker and she also might be able to assist me with navigating the system to make sure I get proper care.
I have to say that since I have told people about my situation I have received nothing but overwhelming compassion. People bending over backwards to find me a job. Friends wanting help me pay for my meds if I need the assistance. Friends just offer to help with whatever.
This too shall pass! 
I’m new to Tudiabetes but not to diabetes and not to lack of health insurance. I haven’t had good health insurance in 13 years and have been without health insurance all together for about 10 years. It stinks, it really does! But I’m managing with the use of Novolin N and R, and a couple of Novolog pens I have left from when I qualified with a PAP. When that Novolog is gone, I’ll have to pay for it on my own or not use it at all and I’m not looking forward to it. I don’t see my doctor as I should as I simply can’t afford it. All in all, I manage my diabetes myself with the help from MDs once in awhile.
I use an EasyPro Plus meter from Target as the strips for it cost less for me than the Reli-On from Wal-Mart. So far its a good meter and I’m content with it but its still tough to buy two or three bottles of strips each week at $20 a pop. I also re-use syringes and lancets.
One thing that helps me, though, is really keeping the carb count low. That means less insulin, though it isn’t a lot less. Yes, it costs more to eat low carb but I believe its healthier in the long run and if it enables me to use less insulin, it’s gotta be a good thing.
Yep, it stinks but so far, so good…
Another GREAT resource I just learned about:
http://www.patientadvocate.org/
“Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases.”
check with your state. If you dont qualify for unemployment medical (like medicaid) there might be some other programs. I know in michigan if you are under insured, make decently low income there are insurance assistance programs that will cover the basic doctors visits, and if you can find a basic family doctor who knows a bit about diabetes (and can write you a script for everything) while keeping in touch with your endo (depending on your relationship obviously) via email or a phone call, you might be able to save some money that way. I know sometimes the copays are really small for a family doc but really high for a specialist.
Obviously, check online for supplies. Maybe contact your local hospital or local ADA chapter, they might have assistance programs or ideas on how to get your supplies cheaper.
worse case senario, spend your money on diabetes stuff and go grocery shopping at a food pantry or Aldi’s (really cheap generic food store here in michigan). Clip coupons from the paper or go online and seek coupons to print, then go to a grocery store that offers double coupon days (i’ve saved hundreds doing this)
look for rebates on everything and use the rebate money to pay for supplies (yay t-mobile rebate of $100, you just helped me pay for supplies!!)
Every now and then I come across people making a real difference in the healthcare industry. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Muney, a physician in New York City, who has opened 5 clinics to serve patients without health insurance.
He offers a wide variety of health services to patients for a flat fee of $79 a month. You can find more information here: http://amgmedicalgroup.com/
We are working with Dr. Muney to provide affordable prescription medications with no co-pays to his patients. Together we hope to provide an affordable way for uninsured patients to get their checkups and medications during these hard times.
I wanted to pass this information on in case anyone is uninsured or knows of anyone uninsured in the New York City Area who could use his services.
I just read what you wrote in regards to Bc/Bs. I too had Anthem and they gave me a problem of the test strips. The doc wanted me to test and record it six times daily they pitched a fit and said four was enough. Long story short I did get it approved but what a hassel. Only to have been cancelled in June. I have had many back surgeries and joint replacements in knees, shoulder, feet. My premium was $994 a mo. Now since last month at age 61 and disabled due to back problems and bone problems they have cancelled me. I called PPA and hopefully that will help to get my meds as I am on a few of them. One is $669.00 a month. I am just looking to see what kind of help I may be able to get.