Click here for the The Cost of a Chronic Illness – Tuesday 5/16 Link List
Insulin and other diabetes medications and supplies can be costly. Here in the US, insurance status and age (as in Medicare eligibility) can impact both the cost and coverage. So today, let’s discuss how cost impacts our diabetes care. Do you have advice to share? For those outside the US, is cost a concern? Are there other factors such as accessibility or education that cause barriers to your diabetes care? (This topic was inspired by suggestions from Rick and Jen.)
I’m getting ready to transition to Medicare – and that scares the sh*t out of me.
Back to Medicare – I’m petrified. We’ve scheduled an appointment with a local woman (she sounds really young but was well recommended by a local insurance agent) to analyze and look at what we can do as far as plans – advantage, supplement, prescription. She said, “You’ll need to have a list of any prescriptions you use.” Poor girl – she’s going to be awed. (Or she might just run away from us!)
I NEVER thought I’d be working at my age. We both worked hard to make it possible to retire and enjoy our retirement. Diabetes brought that to a screeching halt. For new d-friends, I was dx’d at age 55. I’ve said I’d give up my pump before my Dexcom if given a choice. I know they’re approved now but – it looks like there will be some bumps before it, Dexcom, is totally available.
And… it truly and honestly bothers me immensely that there are people who are not able to afford the d-medications that they need to stay alive. Give me a break. NO ONE should be denied medications needed to STAY alive.
PS – I truly LOVE comments and I know everyone else does, too. But… I’m going to do comment catching up after D-Blog week. If I do comments now they’ll all say, “Nice!” or “Thank you for posting this.” I’m really looking forward to meeting new bloggers and catching up with some of “been around for some time” bloggers.
d-meanderings 
every post I read like yours makes me feel sad and worry for those who need insulin and cannot access!
I totally agree with you, I would give up my insulin pump before my CGM! I admit I haven’t been following the CGM coverage for Medicare too closely recently so I’m curious what the bumps are before you can have it covered?
Hi Kelley,
Laddie has been going through some bumps…
https://testguessandgo.com/2017/05/03/one-month-of-medicare-with-type-1-diabetes/
Colleen
I just have to say thanks to those who are blazing a trail so that one day, Elise won’t have to go through what you are. Stuff like this makes me afraid for her.
Sending you a hug, Colleen. I love this post. I’ll be playing comment catch up this weekend too. You are not alone. 😉
I know I keep saying this, but thank you for all you do. You tell it like it is and you are raising awareness.
Thanks for sharing this perspective, since I don’t know much about it, and for working hard and helping make it easier for those who will be in your situation in the future.
Thank you for joining the blog effort it is great to have you.
Colleen, I’m just a little further out from transitioning to Medicare and I’m scared too!!!! Thanks for all u do and I love reading ur blog!!! U ROCK!!! HUGS!!!
Love you so much! This post is incredible. I may have a contact for you if you want a better agent. At worst, she may be able to refer you to someone who gets it if she can’t help.
I’m just a few short years behind you & I’m terrified about switching to Medicare especially in light of all that is happening in DC these days. Good luck with the paperwork that goes along with medicare!! HUGS!!!! Please keep us updated on how it goes with getting ur cgm thru medicare.