BRAVO on being a FEATURED MEMBER netbadger!!

I wish you lots of good luck with your upcoming surgery. I am RNY 12/11. Mine was done due to multiple medical issues. I did not have the required BMI but had the medical problem ....Diabetic T2, Metabolic syndrome, Insulin resistant,Recent heart attack (possibly from Avandia use). My neuropathy is mostly GI, making me borderline Gastroparesis. I do have some in my legs but not too bad. But it has not gone away post surgery. I do have malabsorption issues & take a bunch of vitamins. Have had problems getting enough protein and suffer from continued hair loss. Will try to answer any questions I can. Feel free to ask away =)

Oh, have a good day too!

continued

I can see why you were told that you can't get help from Lilly, although their income requirements are high, 300% federal poverty level, they do not accept anyone with Medicare D, so that kind of leaves you out.

If you can find a fast acting insulin that you can take in your pump you will find it by looking under the brand name list for medications. Have you though of trying Novolog? Here is their program description

Here is their program information, the income eligibility is unfortunately low, but they do accept people with Medicare D.

http://www.needymeds.org/drug_list.taf?_function=name&drug_id=1711&name=NovoLog&coupon=1

As far as Apidra goes, I don't know anything about it but there is a member here on Tu by the name of jrtpup who uses it and has a pump and she might be able to help you with answering some of your questions about it.

Here is the diabetes Resource page from Needymeds

http://www.needymeds.org/resourcepages/diabetes.htm

Here is state discount cards page

http://www.needymeds.org/state_programs.taf

I hope that something here in this information helps you. I feel like I may be off because I know little about Type 2 and pumps. If you are on any kind of Type 2 pills check out Needymeds for programs for those.

If you need any more help, let me know and good luck to you. Needymeds is a great site to spend time researching. Ellen

Hi netbadger, I have Type 1 diabetes and I take Novolog fast acting, and Lantus for basal and I do MDI and do not have a pump. I don't know if I am a good person to know about how Type 2 diabetes is treated especially on a pump.
I have a couple of ideas though. One is that if you are on Medicare D and SSDI for disability, did you go through open enrollment with Medicare D this year? I think it lasts until December 7th. Open enrollment is the time each year that you can change your Medicare D insurance and this is so you are able to find coverage that is cheapest for your specific medications. Each year the insurance formualaries, drug prices benefits and deductibles change, so it is in your best interest every year to go through open enrollement so that you can pick the insurance company that is best suited to your needs. Here is the Medicare Handbook for 2013. In it you will find an explaination of Medicare D open enrollment.

http://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf

My second thought is that you may qualify for Low Income Subsidy depending on your total income, which is help with paying for your Medicare D medications. Here is an explaination of that. It is a good idea to apply for Low Income Subsidy even if you are denied because some drug companies Patient Assistance Programs use the Low Income Subsidy denial to enable you to receive enrollement in their programs. Here is that information.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10115.html

Next here are all the Patient Assistance Programs available in the US

http://www.needymeds.org/index.htm

http://www.needymeds.org/drug_list.taf?_function=name&drug_id=3375&name=Apidra&coupon=1

Hi, here is the PAP Program for Apidra and coupon. Even if you are a little over income or have Medicare D apply and if you get denied apply for an appeal. Call the company 1-800 number and ask how to do it, sometimes they will make exceptions or all it takes is a letter from your doctor that states that you are in a hardship situation. Good luck. 

Hey netbadger....You're a featured member!!! BRAVO!!

I'm going to check out ur discission. I have a cousin who takes the U500 insuiln I haven't talked to him for a few months but will check out ur discussion and if I know anything I wiil say it
marie told me about u

hi netbadger, we do have a small group here for those using U500

http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/u500insulin

please join it, maybe someone there has some info.