Diabetes Supplies and Medicines: Cost-Saving Tips
Diabetes supplies and medicines can be expensive, and cost is a common reason people skip doses, ration insulin, or check their glucose less often. That can be dangerous. The good news is that there are often ways to lower costs. This guide offers general, practical tips for saving money on diabetes medicines and supplies. It is not financial, legal, or insurance advice; coverage rules and programs vary and change over time, so always confirm details with your insurance plan, pharmacist, and health care team.
Never ration insulin. Skipping or stretching insulin doses can lead to very high blood glucose and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency. If you can't afford insulin, tell your provider or pharmacist right away. See hyperglycemia and DKA.
Common diabetes costs
Depending on your treatment, costs may include:
- Insulin and other diabetes medicines. See insulin basics and metformin and common diabetes medications.
- Blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets, and control solution
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and sensors. See checking blood sugar and CGMs.
- Insulin pumps and pump supplies
- Pen needles and syringes
- Glucagon and glucose tablets
- Ketone test strips
- Office visits, lab tests, eye exams, and specialist care
- Medicines for blood pressure and cholesterol
Talk with your health care team
Your providers and pharmacist are your best allies:
- Tell them cost is a concern. Providers often don't know what a medicine costs you. Saying "I'm having trouble affording this" opens the door to alternatives.
- Ask about lower-cost alternatives. Many older medicines and some insulins are available at lower cost. Generic and biosimilar options may be available.
- Ask about combining or simplifying medicines if appropriate.
- Ask for a 90-day supply, which can lower costs with some plans.
- Ask about samples to bridge short gaps while you sort out coverage.
- Ask for help with paperwork, such as prior authorizations or appeals, if your insurance denies coverage.
MedlinePlus has an overview of diabetes medicines that can help you understand options to discuss.
Understand your insurance
If you have health insurance, learning how your plan covers diabetes care can prevent surprise costs:
- Check the formulary (the list of covered drugs). Plans often cover certain brands of insulin, meters, or test strips at lower cost. Choosing the preferred brand can save money.
- Know your plan's costs: deductible, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.
- Ask whether supplies are covered under pharmacy or medical (durable medical equipment) benefits. CGMs and pumps may be covered differently from medicines.
- Use in-network pharmacies and suppliers.
- Ask about mail-order pharmacy, which some plans offer at lower cost for maintenance medicines.
- Appeal denials. If a medicine or device is denied, your provider can often submit a prior authorization or appeal explaining medical need.
- Review your plan during open enrollment and compare how plans cover the medicines and supplies you use.
Medicare
Medicare covers many diabetes supplies, services, and medicines, depending on the part of Medicare and the plan. Rules have changed in recent years, including limits on monthly out-of-pocket costs for covered insulin for many people with Medicare. Contact Medicare or your plan, or a local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor, for free help understanding your coverage.
Medicaid and other programs
Medicaid covers diabetes care for eligible people with low incomes; coverage details vary by state. Community health centers offer care on a sliding fee scale based on income.
Manufacturer and assistance programs
- Patient assistance programs: Many drug and device manufacturers offer programs that provide free or low-cost medicines to people who qualify, often based on income and insurance status.
- Copay or savings cards: Some manufacturers offer savings cards that lower out-of-pocket costs for people with commercial insurance. These usually cannot be used with government insurance such as Medicare or Medicaid.
- Insulin cost programs: Several insulin makers offer programs that cap monthly out-of-pocket costs for eligible people. Check manufacturer websites or ask your pharmacist.
- State programs: Some states have laws or programs limiting insulin costs or offering emergency insulin access.
The American Diabetes Association provides resources to help people find assistance with insulin and other diabetes costs.
Pharmacy tips
- Compare prices. Prices can vary widely between pharmacies. Ask for the cash price as well as the insurance price; sometimes the cash price with a discount program is lower.
- Ask about store-brand meters and strips, which are often less expensive. Check with your provider that the meter meets your needs.
- Ask your pharmacist about generic alternatives and whether a different package size is cheaper.
- Prescription discount programs may lower prices for people without insurance or for drugs not covered by insurance. Read the terms carefully.
Use supplies wisely
- Check glucose as recommended, not more or less. Ask your provider how often you actually need to check; this may change over time.
- Store supplies correctly to avoid waste. Keep insulin cool and out of the sun, and keep test strip containers closed. See insulin basics.
- Track expiration dates and use older supplies first.
- Don't reuse needles or lancets beyond what is recommended; infection and pain can lead to extra costs.
Save on healthy eating
Healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive:
- Buy frozen and canned vegetables (low sodium) and fruit (in water or juice).
- Use dried or canned beans and lentils, which are inexpensive sources of protein and fiber. See fiber and diabetes.
- Buy whole grains like oats and brown rice in bulk.
- Plan meals and make a shopping list.
- Check eligibility for food assistance programs such as SNAP or WIC.
See diabetes-friendly eating basics and reading food labels.
Prevention saves money too
Staying on top of checkups and keeping glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol in target ranges can help prevent complications that are costly to treat. Preventive services such as eye exams and kidney tests are worth prioritizing. See preparing for a doctor visit.
Be cautious
- Avoid unverified online sellers of insulin, test strips, or medicines. Products may be counterfeit, expired, or improperly stored.
- Don't buy "pre-owned" test strips of uncertain origin.
- Be wary of supplements that claim to replace diabetes medicines. See diabetes myths vs. facts.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I'm about to run out of insulin and can't afford more?
Contact your provider or pharmacist right away. Ask about samples, manufacturer emergency programs, or lower-cost insulin options. Go to an emergency department if you have signs of DKA.
Are cheaper insulins safe?
Lower-cost insulins can be effective but may work differently from the insulin you use. Switching requires guidance from your provider to adjust doses safely.
Do I need a CGM, or is a meter enough?
It depends on your treatment and needs. Ask your provider whether a CGM would help you and whether it's covered.
Who can help me understand Medicare coverage?
A State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor can provide free, unbiased help.
Can I get help paying for a glucose meter?
Many meter manufacturers offer low-cost or free meters, and some insurance plans cover a preferred meter. The ongoing cost of test strips is usually more important than the meter price, so compare strip costs too.
Where can I find more reliable information?
Trusted sources include the CDC, NIDDK, MedlinePlus, and the American Diabetes Association. Be cautious with social media posts or products that promise quick fixes, and check new information with your care team before making changes.
Key takeaways
- Tell your provider and pharmacist if cost is a problem; there are often alternatives.
- Learn your plan's formulary and preferred brands, and appeal denials with your provider's help.
- Manufacturer assistance, copay programs, and community health centers may lower costs.
- Compare pharmacy prices and use supplies wisely.
- Never ration insulin; seek help right away.
Sources
Links to the sources cited above appear in the text. We rely on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
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