|
14th February 2007
Free Diabetes Supplies
- information, products & testing supplies 
Whereas in the UK all health care is provided as part of the National Health Service, in the States it has to be paid for by medical
insurance.
According to the Royal Society of Medicine:-
"Compared to patients in England or insured patients in the USA, fewer uninsured individuals were taking necessary medications which have been
shown to decrease complications of diabetes, indicating yet another important aspect of access to care".
With around 20% of adults in the USA professing a complete lack of health insurance, that means that around that number will fail to have the
proper medical care for their diabetes.
Not surprisingly the conclusion drawn is that individuals in a healthcare system which provides universal access have better managed diabetes
than those in a market based system requiring insurance.
Whereas in the UK all supplies and health care are covered, families newly diagnosed with diabetes in the States may also have the fear and
worry about the cost of medications and supplies such as insulin, meters, and test strips, as well as health care costs.
For adults, the good news is that forty-six states now have laws requiring health insurance coverage to include
treatment for diabetes. For children, Medicaid is administered by your State which will have its own guidelines
regarding eligibility and services available. Many drug companies offer pharmaceutical assistance programs
to help offset the cost of supplies or prescription medications for people with diabetes who have little
or no insurance. Check out the JDRF site for further information.
Financial Assistance & Free Supplies
If you need free diabetic supplies or equipment because you haven't got any insurance,
it might be worth contacting the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association. Their aim is to provide medical equipment and supplies to those
unable to afford the cost. In particular they have a scheme to provide products such as Minimed pumps to users who can show that they can pay
the ongoing costs of equipment.
It's also worth noting that your doctor may be able to direct patients with diabetes to
local funding or even provide free samples. You'll need to advise him that you can't pay for your medicines and supplies without
help.
Your health care provider should also be able to provide you with free health
information on managing diabetes.
Some funding for pumping supplies is available from the Diabetes Trust Foundation, check
back at http://www.diabetestrustfoundation.org for information.
It may be possible to obtain free testing supplies
if you live in the US, check out the offer conditions to see if you qualify.
| 