Hi. I’m in a very tough transition in my life right now and am w/o medical insurance. I have about 6 days left of insulin, and am freaking out. I have no money to pay out of pocket, $210.00 for a months supply. (that’s w/o insurance for Novolog)
Do you know where I can go to get free insulin? Can the government help out? I’m just so naive to the idea of NOT having health insurance. It’s just one other thing to add to my list of why diabetes is so inconvenient!
What do I do, guys?
Hi Katherine know where you are coming from been there plenty of times! Most of the insulin companies have a patient assistance program I used to get 10 boxes of Lantus and Humalog insulin every month just call the phone number on the box also Walmart has a reli on brand of insulin foer 12 dollars also lots of times your Dr office has samples they may be willing to give you these are all the things I used to do before medical assistance stepped in let me knwow how you make out! I have been type 1 diabetic for 31 yrs now mary ann
I would definitely ask your doctors office for free samples until you can get insurance again. Also try to see if you have any Diabetes Educators in your area. I was seeing one for awhile and she constantly had free samples of insulin, blood strips, and other diabetes related items. I actually was without insurance for awhile, and had to go on state medicaid insurance for awhile just so I could get all the supplies I needed. It was kind of a pain to get started on, lots of paperwork, but once I was enrolled they covered doctors visits for up to 3 months back, and paid for my supplies. All I had to do was pay a very small co-pay anywhere between 50 cents to $3! It was worth it and got me through a difficult time in my life!
I was using the ReliOn Brand of insulin and the syringes from Walmart. It made things a lot easier. It isn’t as nice as having novolog and things like that, but it was what I could afford and it did what I needed it to do.
Maybe they are sending her a 3 month supply. That is what they used to do when I was on their program to get help getting my insulin.
Call the ER at your local hospital and tell them you are a Type 1 about to run out of nsulin without insurance of money to buy it. Someone at the hospital should be able to hook you up with a program that will keep you alive.
It’s a lot cheaper for them to do that than to treat you at the ER.
i don’t think she meant 10 boxes of lantus and 10 boxes of humalog, but 10 total. and that would be correct for a T1. i know as someone who has the same treatment as a t1, i am currently going through ~55 units a day. 55 x 31 = 1,705 units a month, divided by 200 unit vials = 8.5 vials
THANKS mary ann! and congrats on being a type 1 for 31 years! you are officially my idol. =) i called novo nordisk, my insulin making company, and i sent the form to my doc to complete, hopefully he can help me out. i’ll let ya know what happens.
thank you for your info, amber! i’m glad to hear that i’m not the only one that’s been through this. it sucks! but glad to hear there ARE options. i’m in the process of getting a new job and new insurance…i’ll be stable again, soon. thanks for your advice!
thanks for your help, jenny!
oh cathy! i’m so sorry to hear about not qualifying for state health funds. i totally hear your frustration and know what it’s like to be frustrated. it SUCKS!
wow, thank you for your help, guys! it’s funny, i thought i was the only one who didn’t have health insurance. lol, lame, right? but it’s nice to see and hear the many different options. i’ll be sure and let you know what i end up doing. i am very blessed to be part american indian and am able to take advantage of the benefits of the indian health care system. YAY! (my dad had to remind me of this one.)
i take a crap load of insulin compared to ya’ll! i’m averaging like 100u/day…on a pump. 2.8u/hour granted i don’t exercise or pay even remotely close attention to my diet! (i’m bad. and i’m thankful for this community to help encourage me.) i KNOW if i exercised and made healthy choices i wouldn’t need so much insulin.
welp, i’ll let ya’ll know where i get my very needed novolog insulin!! =) thanks again, a lot.
~k
If you are a type 1 using that much insulin you should also ask about getting a prescription for Metformin which would lower your very obvious insulin resistance and make it so you need a lot less insulin.
Metformin is $4 a month at Walmart, Walgreeens, etc. The ER form is easiest on your body.
If you could start metformin you might head off heart disease when you get older. There is some very compelling evidence that it cuts it dramatically.
I saw that you are on the pump-- so just wanted to make sure that you know about www.ipump.org. They help people who cannot afford their supplies.
Best wishes!
A lot of the manufacturers have assistance programs. I have one through Lilly for Humalog and another through the makers of Lantus. Both I get a 3 month supply for nothing at all. Though it takes awhile to get it going. If yoiu go to either the manufacturers website or to www.pparx.org and choose the medications that you need it will give you places that can help.
Hey Guys and Gals:
Just an update on what went down with my insulin troubles. =)
I ended up going to walmart and getting the reli-on Novolin R insulin. My previous doc with Kaiser said I can do that, but that the reaction time with “R” is slower then Novolog. I’ve planned on going ultra-low carb until I can get my Novolog back. I’ve applied for the patient assistance program with Norvo Nordisk (maker of Novolog). I think I’ll be alright! I’m a bit nervous with how the new insulin will work out, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
As far as the job situation goes…I’ve been unemployed for a MONTH now! I’m a catch, too! =) I have an interview tomorrow, so think good thoughts, say a prayer, or send me good vibes, whatever! I’ve interviewed 4 other times and haven’t been selected for all. Grrrrrr. I don’t get it. But I’m being patient and waiting, and thankful for God providing me my betes!
Thank you sooooo much for all of your input, friends! I can’t tell you how comforting it was to hear back from so many of you!
~Katherine
Hi Katherine,
Good luck on your interview. Remember to get in a positive frame of mind before you walk in. If you have negative thoughts they can come through in your interview. If you believe that you are the person for the position and you can make them believe it too, you have a much better chance of getting the job!
I wish i knew, my son is in the hospital right now, when he comes home we have no insulin. WHAT in the world can i do ?
Is your son newly dx’d? if you have a script you should be able to go to any pharmacy to have the script filled
Katherine:
call you local welfare office first thing Monday. In Indiana they have programs to folks such as your self. Please call there is no shame in seeking help. If that dose nto help immediately call your doctors office. Often times they will know free clinics with insulin in the area.
Let us know hwo this turns out.
Rick