Diabetes is a scary disease, which I myself have. The cost of the supplies is high, even with insurance. The long-term effects are different for everyone. The hardest part is changing your diet and couch potato habits.
The article written by Linda A Johnson, who is with the Associated Press, made many excellent points saying that the costs of the supplies are expensive and when you loose your job and health insurance you will skimp on your medication and testing supplies. The cost of 50 testing strips for a One-Touch Ultra Mini at Wal-Mart and CVS are well over $50.00. The other item that is needed each time is the lancelet, which is what pierces your skin to obtain the blood to add to the test strip.
Ms. Johnson’s article makes excellent points that with the loss of health insurance you see your doctor less to have your AC1 levels checked and try to make the medication that your do have last longer. There are different programs around for assistance with your supplies, however finding them, being approved for assistance is time consuming. In addition, the longer you go without taking your medication the more you place yourself at risk of having of having serious complications to your health and body.
Ms Johnson’s article stated that in interviews with ER doctors they have seen a rise in diabetic emergencies due to the loss of health care coverage. Diabetics without health care coverage are seeking tax-subsidized or charity care for their diabetic needs. One person that was mentioned in the article wound up in the emergency room on Thanksgiving with major complications such as vomiting blood, malnourished, etc.
The health insurance that I have at my employer allows me to take one education class each year. The catch is that I must meet my deductable, which may not sound like much, however, for someone who lives paycheck to paycheck it can be costly and a budget buster. However, the classes do help and having a supportive husband helps. It is a struggle for me to learn to each less and even a bigger struggle to get more active since I was not raised in an active family.
The article is titled: Economic woes leave diabetics skimping on care, risking lives. Was obtained from the internet at USA Today, health news.
Reference
Johnson, Linda A; Not Dated; USA Today Online; Economic woes leave diabetics skimping on care, risking lives; Retrieved April 12, 2009
The article written by Linda A Johnson, who is with the Associated Press, made many excellent points saying that the costs of the supplies are expensive and when you loose your job and health insurance you will skimp on your medication and testing supplies. The cost of 50 testing strips for a One-Touch Ultra Mini at Wal-Mart and CVS are well over $50.00. The other item that is needed each time is the lancelet, which is what pierces your skin to obtain the blood to add to the test strip.
Ms. Johnson’s article makes excellent points that with the loss of health insurance you see your doctor less to have your AC1 levels checked and try to make the medication that your do have last longer. There are different programs around for assistance with your supplies, however finding them, being approved for assistance is time consuming. In addition, the longer you go without taking your medication the more you place yourself at risk of having of having serious complications to your health and body.
Ms Johnson’s article stated that in interviews with ER doctors they have seen a rise in diabetic emergencies due to the loss of health care coverage. Diabetics without health care coverage are seeking tax-subsidized or charity care for their diabetic needs. One person that was mentioned in the article wound up in the emergency room on Thanksgiving with major complications such as vomiting blood, malnourished, etc.
The health insurance that I have at my employer allows me to take one education class each year. The catch is that I must meet my deductable, which may not sound like much, however, for someone who lives paycheck to paycheck it can be costly and a budget buster. However, the classes do help and having a supportive husband helps. It is a struggle for me to learn to each less and even a bigger struggle to get more active since I was not raised in an active family.
The article is titled: Economic woes leave diabetics skimping on care, risking lives. Was obtained from the internet at USA Today, health news.
Reference
Johnson, Linda A; Not Dated; USA Today Online; Economic woes leave diabetics skimping on care, risking lives; Retrieved April 12, 2009
My daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was barely 9 years old. Managing the disease is hard enough even if you have all of the tools available. She averaged a hospital stay with keto acidosis 3 times a year. A simple cold would throw her off sending her to the ER for an IV. I do not have the disease personally, but I do feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. The issue of the availibility of health insurance in general and diabities in particular are important issues in our society today. It is a good example of soemthing that is becoming a part of popular culture. I am just waiting to see regular articles in the gossip news about famous people with diabities and how they manage it!
ReplyDeleteThat would be interesting to see articles about famous people with diabities. My sister-in-law has diabities and almost lost her foot over getting gain green in her foot. Further, my grandpa lost his leg over gain green. Diabities is very scary and when someone can't get proper heath care they can lose alot such as a foot or leg.
ReplyDelete