Hi all,
I am wondering if anyone has advice for me regarding finding low-cost supplies in the Hampton Roads area. I don't have insurance and haven't for the past few months and buying my supplies at cost is getting really hard to sustain financially (I'm a student). I will become eligible for the state of Virginia's "pre-existing condition" insurance in September but am looking for help because I'm worried about affording everything for the summer. Generous T1 friends have given me test-strip and needle contributions but am wondering if there is a local/state-wide charity I could access. And no I am not eligible for Medicaid, because I live with a parent and their income factors into the process. Any advice is appreciated. THANKS!
I'm sure that you have this issue resolved now, but in case anyone else is without insurance and has diabetes:
Thanks.
I am uninsured as you are, and have just placed my name on my state's waiting list to apply for any assistance. I guess anytime now to a few years I could get a call saying my number came up and I can go ahead and apply. Doesn't mean I will get the assistance.
Anyway, I found this website and that is where I have been buying my test strips. They have a whole bunch of brands available. They will send either lancets or syringes with each purchase. Here is the link http://www.diabeticsupplyrescue.com/ just go onto the products page and once you register you can purchase. I know it isn't free, but the prices are better than Walmart and you can even purchase the Accucheck Aviva test strips which are thougt to be the most accurate test strips on the market.
Good luck to you!!
Thanks for the replies, everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I actually got health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, or what is also cutely (in my opinion) called Obamacare. You are eligible to apply through your state (if your state doesn't have its own plan and I think only MA, NY and VT and a few others have their own plan) if you have been without insurance for six months and you have a letter from a health insurance company stating that they will NOT cover you due to your pre-existing condition. I had such a letter from Aetna stating that due to my Type I diabetes, I was ineligible for coverage. I submitted this letter along with a short application to PCIP (The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, website here: www.pcip.gov) and I was approved in six weeks. My coverage starts November first. The plan I chose is $188/monthly and does include a $1000 medical care deductible and a $250 prescription deductible. Those are definitely going to hurt my wallet but it's still better than NOT having insurance. Once I pay the prescription deductible I will only pay $30/bottle for insulin and much lower than that for syringes, lancets, etc. I'm excited to start. If anyone has any questions about this process or how to access it in your state, please don't hesitate to message me. OBAMACARE saved my life. I am proof. I hope everybody is registered to vote.
That is so good to hear. Please, go share your story - "Obamacare" will help ALL of us.