Do your clients have trouble paying for important diabetes treatments? If so, they’re not alone, and help is available in the form of assistance programs.
Diabetes is extremely common in the United States. According to the CDC, 9.4 percent of the U.S. population has the chronic condition. That’s 30.3 million people. When not managed properly, diabetes can result in serious complications, including nerve damage, eye problems, kidney disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
For many people with diabetes, taking insulin is an essential part of treatment. It’s also increasingly expensive. According to research published in the Journal of American Medical Association, the cost of insulin tripled between 2002 and 2013. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs can be burdensome. As a result, some people may not take the medicine they need.
Getting Assistance
Many people who struggle to pay for diabetes medication are actually eligible for help through diabetes assistance programs. Unfortunately, many people may go without help that they desperately need simply because they are unaware of these programs.
The Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program provides Lilly medications to qualifying individuals at no cost. Lilly, short for the Eli Lilly and Company, is a drug manufacturer that produces multiple diabetes medications, including Humalog, Humulin and Basaglar.
Assistance through Lily Cares is available to eligible individuals who are enrolled in Medicare Part D or who have no insurance. Assistance for Humatrope is also available to eligible individuals whose insurance does not cover it. In order to be eligible, patients must have been prescribed a Lily medication by a health care provider, and their annual income cannot exceed the set levels.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply, see the Lily Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program Application.
Novo Nordisk also offers a similar diabetes patient assistance program. Novo Nordisk is a drug manufacturer that produces multiple diabetes medications, including NovoLog. To obtain an application for Novo Nordisk’s diabetes patient assistance program, contact the company by calling them or by submitting an online form.
Help Your Clients
Because diabetes is so common, there’s a good chance some of your clients suffer from it. They may also be suffering from high prescription costs, unaware that help is available. Make sure they know about the assistance programs. Send them the information they need so they can apply.
Have your clients submit their information to the diabetes assistance program themselves. This is the best way to preserve their privacy and to avoid HIPPA compliance issues. If they need your help with the application process, obtain written permission before handling their personal information or submitting the application on their behalf.
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