Are diabetics cutting back on healthcare during recession?

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Permalink Reply by Lois La Rose on April 14, 2009 at 4:14pm

Personally, I'm going to keep on keeping on as long as the insurance pays for it!!!

Lois La Rose
Milwaukee, WI

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Permalink Reply by Kathy on April 14, 2009 at 4:15pm

Absolutely. I had a pay cut at work. In '09 we started on a new insurance plan that costs more for premiums but gives less in benefits. I was used to testing 9X per day. They wanted to pay for 4, and my doc wrote 2 letters and they agreed to pay for 6. So I buy the cheaper test strips at Target and WalMart and try to use them sparingly so they last. Argh..........

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on April 14, 2009 at 4:53pm

This is a very unfortunate side effect of this recession.

Here is a list of patient assistance resources to refer to if you are having a hard time being able to cover your prescription needs:
http://tudiabetes.com/notes/Diabetes_Patient_Assistance_Resources

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Permalink Reply by Srihari Yamanoor on April 14, 2009 at 4:54pm

Great Resource Manny..how about putting it up on the front page in font size 24, bold...lol!

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on April 19, 2009 at 9:35pm

Hi Cathy,
I spoke about your case with iPump (for the record, I am on their board of directors) and they recommended that you contact them directly (Lahle, their CEO is super-approachable and she is a member here in TuDiabetes) to look into your case and what may be happening.

Hope this helps,

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Permalink Reply by Janaye Marchitto on April 15, 2009 at 10:27am

This is quite scary, diabetes doesn't change just because the economy does! We still require proper medication and supplies..However, I was without insurance for 2 years and the costs are just insane. Sometimes you have no choice but to do with less, it is the unfortunate reality of this expensive disease.. I am so thankful I have insurance now!

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Permalink Reply by Anna Kingsbury on April 15, 2009 at 10:39am

It is very easy to say I would rather pay my rent than buy medication. That is how I got in trouble once before. I just had open heart surgery, and add that to diabetes and it really has been a challenge. I am trying to keep up with everything, but it sure is hard. Plus my husband just got laid off.....I am so happy I have my own insurance~

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Permalink Reply by Peter on April 16, 2009 at 6:11am

I wouldn't be surprised but I certainly am not. At the least, I can say that I am in a situation unlike anyone else because I live in Massachusetts (with universal healthcare).

I wonder how life would be like if I was living in any other state.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on April 16, 2009 at 4:03pm

No yet since it is most probable that the dollar is going to zero a la Argentina you might as well treat your diabetes as well as possible for now. May be when we run out of food and the pancreas is still working a bit we will still be healthy. There is no time ever in my life that we have had an economic crash like this one. would be intersting to hear what happened to insulin dependent diabetes in the 30's. Anybody know?

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on April 16, 2009 at 4:13pm

Here in the right wing part of Canada if you do not have insurance; and with diabetes you cannot get insurance. You have to pay for your insulin, strips and supplies out of your $1000 ( worth $830 in real money) pension. But the good news is you can get a foot amputation that is paid 100% by the government and this without wating long. Sometimes I think we are a sitcom for God's enjoyment. He gave us free will and then said let the comedy begin.

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Permalink Reply by rainbowgoddess on April 22, 2009 at 1:14pm

That's interesting, because I live in Canada too and I've never heard of that.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on April 22, 2009 at 1:30pm

In the Commie part of Canada things seem to be much better for diabetics.

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