With diabetes, patients experience the enormous costs of managing this disease. The cost of medications and supplies such as blood glucose meters or insulin pumps add up. However, taking advantage of good deals and discounts will greatly reduce the cost of treatment. The key is learning how to keep costs down without compromising the effectiveness of treatment.
Get multiple sources of information
- Compare drug prices: Don’t assume that all hospitals have the same drug prices. There may be differences in drug prices. You can follow pharmacy information and may have access to some discounts.
- Check online pharmacies: Prices may be lower at online pharmacies. You may also save more if you buy several supplies at the same time.
- Consult your doctor: Your doctor may recommend switching from multiple diabetes medications to one medication, and one prescription is usually cheaper than several.
- Check the pharmaceutical company’s program: Some pharmaceutical manufacturers sometimes offer assistance to patients on their programs.
- Check insurance: If the drug is not covered by insurance, ask your doctor if there is a suitable alternative.
- Reuse some items: Ask your doctor what types of items can be safely used multiple times. For example, a finger prick device that can be reused. However, they should never be shared with others, even family members.
- Participate in clinical trials: These trials are designed to check if the test drug is effective and safe. In the trials, patients are given free care and related supplies. Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for a clinical trial.
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Eat well and spend less
Good diabetes management can help reduce future health care costs. Here’s why: Maintaining target blood glucose as much as possible can prevent or delay diabetes complications such as nerve damage and heart disease, which are not only expensive to treat, but also reduce quality of life.
How can you reduce costs and still maintain good blood glucose control in your daily life?
To save money and eat well, plan and cook meals ahead of time so you can avoid expensive and unhealthy foods. Make several meals at once and divide them into portions to freeze for later consumption.
Try making homemade snacks, which are much cheaper.
Cut out coupons that you might use and eat before you go out shopping so you don’t buy food irrationally because you’re hungry.
Move it up
To stay healthy, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. The gym isn’t the only place to go for a workout. All it takes is a comfortable pair of shoes and you can get moving.
Exercise makes your body more sensitive to insulin, which helps manage blood sugar levels in your body. Aim to exercise 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, and don’t go more than 2 days in a row without exercising.
The 30-minute workout does not have to be done all at once. It can be divided into 3 10-minute sessions. If you have not exercised recently, start slowly, starting with 5 to 10 minutes a day and gradually increasing to half an hour. If you have a diabetic foot, be sure to consult your doctor before starting any new or more difficult exercise.
Don’t save what you shouldn’t
Don’t cut back on the number of blood glucose tests you should have, or skip medications as prescribed, to save money. Taking care of yourself will help avoid diabetes complications and protect your health while saving your budget.