Diabetes is expensive! According to the American Diabetes Association diabetes costs America $327 Billion a year. Health care costs for people with diabetes are 2.3 times greater than people without diabetes. If you take medication for your diabetes you may feel this burden firsthand. Today I’m going to share some resources that may help you save money on diabetes medications.
Many do not realize that the “First-Line” therapy for diabetes involves taking Metformin (a diabetes medication) and making comprehensive lifestyle changes (including weight management and physical activity). Unfortunately, most people are not referred for help with their lifestyle.
According to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Diabetes Care, “all people with diabetes should participate in diabetes self-management education and receive the support needed to facilitate the knowledge, decision-making, and skills mastery for diabetes self-care.”
People need individualized medical nutrition therapy and help facilitating behavior change to improve health outcomes.
Diabetes Self Management Education and Medical Nutrition Therapy both have been shown to lower A1C and risk for complications. Unfortunately, this step is not emphasized enough by treating physicians.
Let’s face it. It is more cost effective to change your lifestyle to bring your numbers than relying exclusively on doctors and medicine. I work with many people who want to do all they can with their diet and physical activity rather than take another medication. I agree that’s a great idea. More importantly, it’s effective! People need help to know what to do to implement the changes. That’s where I come in.
Speak up to your health care provider that you want to change your lifestyle and receive the guidance you need to do this. Ask them to please refer you to appropriate classes and for Medical Nutrition Therapy. I find that most providers will be happy to provide a referral. I just wish they would think to do it without you having to ask. As stated previously, changing your lifestyle and thus improving your glucose numbers is one major way to save money on diabetes drugs.
While making lifestyle changes can make a significant difference, understand that most people still will need diabetes medication. Even with significant and responsible lifestyle changes, diabetes generally gets worse over time. It is not your fault! It just does.
Fortunately, diabetes medications work well and are an important tool if diet, exercise, and metformin are not enough. Metformin is generally recommended when someone is diagnosed with diabetes because it is cheap, well tolerated, and has several benefits. Plus, it takes a while for lifestyle changes to show clinical improvement.
Of course, as with any medical condition, medications are individualized and the benefit of the medication has to outweigh the risk of side effects. Obviously, your physician is the person who will guide you through these choices.
Fortunately, there are more, and better, diabetes medications available now than ever. Unfortunately, there are also more people with diabetes and prediabetes. Also unfortunately, many of these medications are expensive. There are some places that may help with easing this financial burden.
Here are some resources that might help with the cost of your diabetes medications:
Non-Insulin Diabetes Medication Resource Guide
Insulin Cost Savings Resource Guide
Patient Assistance Programs Info from DiaTribe
If you want to save money on diabetes medications, ask yourself “have I explored all of the lifestyle changes that would help me control my diabetes?”
Do not assume you know what you need to do. Every week I work with people who have heard wrong information and think there are foods that they have to avoid (or foods that facilitate a miracle cure). The reality is you need an individualized plan that you can follow.
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