Blood Sugar Testing Supplies
Being aware of our blood sugar levels at all times is an important element of our care. While becoming unemployed and underinsured or left with no insurance can mean we may be left without our continuous glucose monitor supplies, we still have options. Test strips are not the best form of blood sugar management, but they are better than nothing.
Companies like these below offer customers diabetic testing supplies for a flat monthly fee. The services come with a glucose meter, lancing device, and carrying case with your first order, plus a monthly supply of test strips.
To further support low-cost medications in your state, you may also consider supporting the petitions for insulin affordability with Change.org or start one of your own. Almost 1 million people have signed their names already to help the Type 1 diabetes community. to sign petitions for low insulin costs across the United States.
Hang in there we are here to provide the resources, care, and support you need to thrive throughout the year and especially during crises like this.
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the bodys immune system attacks the pancreas cells. It cannot be prevented, even by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
The risk of type 1 diabetes can be passed down through families. If you have a parent, brother or sister with type 1 diabetes, you have a higher chance of developing type 1 than someone who is not related to a person who has the condition.
Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age but is more common in young people more than 60% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Australia are aged under 25.
Help With Hospital Bills
Christi was left with costly medical bills after complications resulting from undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Even with health insurance, she was still stuck with a high deductible bill for her 8-day hospital stay. Through her fundraiser, Christi raised the $2,300 needed to pay off her medical bills completely.
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Nonprofits That Help With Insulin Costs
In addition to government assistance programs, many nonprofits also provide financial assistance to people living with diabetes. The organizations listed below specifically help cover the cost of insulina necessary yet sometimes expensive medication for those with diabetes.
- The Childrens Diabetes Foundation has several programs in place that provide financial help for children with type 1 diabetes, including educational scholarships and clinical care.
- Rx Outreach is a nonprofit pharmacy serving low-income individuals and families, and can help you cover the cost of insulin or other medications.
- Abbys All Stars provides diabetic supplies for uninsured families with children suffering from juvenile diabetes, helping to offset the cost of expensive supplies like glucose meters and test strips.
- If youre looking for insulin pump programs, the nonprofit organization Diabetes Wills Way can help. This organization additionally provides other diabetes supplies & medical equipment, and offers emergency cash grants for purchasing supplies to manage diabetes.
Assistive Devices Program Administered By The Canadian Diabetes Association Ministry Of Health And Long
Who qualifies?
Eligible patients who use insulin or have gestational diabetes.
For what supplies?
- 75 % of the cost of a blood glucose monitor up to $75, or 75 % of the cost of a talking blood glucose monitor up to $300. Patients can access this funding once every five years.
- 75 % of the cost of lancets and testing strips up to $820 annually.
Contact: Canadian Diabetes Association: 1-800-361-0796
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Ask Your Physician For Samples
If you are struggling to afford insulin, be sure to tell your health care provider. Your primary care provider or endocrinologist may have insulin samples available in their office. They also can help you find ways to reduce your costs by writing a larger quantity prescription, changing brands or formulas or documenting your medical needs for other assistance programs.
How Is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed
If your doctor thinks you may have diabetes, you will probably need to have a blood test.
You may be asked to take a fasting blood glucose test, where you dont eat for 8 hours before the test, or a random blood glucose test, where you dont need to fast.
You may also need to have an oral glucose tolerance test where you have blood glucose tests after you drink a sugary drink.
You may also be asked to have your urine tested for ketones.
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Trillium Drug Program Ministry Of Health And Long
Who qualifies?
Patients whose drug costs are high compared to their annual income. You will need to make an up-front payment, broken up into four parts over the year, to access the program. This payment is based on a review of your household income.
For what supplies?
Diabetes supplies including most types of insulin, oral medications , and blood testing strips.
Contact: 1-800-575-5386 or visit website
Does Diabetes Count As A Disability In Canada
While diabetes is one of the eligible conditions under the DTC, you will only be eligible for the tax refund if you spend an excessive amount of time maintaining the disease.
Due to its impact on activities of daily living and the time spent maintaining the disease from constantly monitoring blood sugar levels to injecting insulin, the CRA considers diabetes a disability.
The CRA provides a tax refund to help offset the costs of insulin shots and lifestyle adaptations through the DTC, which is available to those with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. However, your physical and mental health conditions may/will also be considered.
The CRA will look at many different factors when determining if an individual is eligible for the DTC. To be found eligible, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Live with a prolonged impairment, marked restriction, two or more significant restrictions, or depend upon life-sustaining therapy.
- You or your supporter pay federal taxes.
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To What Types Of Benefits May People With Diabetes Be Entitled
All people with diabetes have protection from discrimination in seeking a job, as well as the right to reasonable accommodations to care for themselves and perform their job well while at work.
Examples of those accommodations include a place to test blood sugars safely and privately, breaks to test blood sugars, and a stool to sit on if they experience pain associated with nerve damage.
Some, but not all, people with type 1 diabetes are entitled to monetary benefits from the SSA. There are two SSA programs that offer benefits:
- Social Security Disability:Title II of the Social Security Act is available to people who have paid contributions to Social Security through their taxable earnings.
- Supplemental Social Security Income :Title XVI of the Social Security Act is for those with limited income.
The disability must prevent an individual from working for at least 1 year, or a doctor must expect it to result in death within 1 year. Any awarded benefits will start the sixth month after the date on which the disability began.
A person can apply in person, over the phone, by mail, or by filing online at the SSAs website.
Local SSA field offices or state-affiliated agencies called Disability Determination Services usually process applications.
People can contact the SSA with questions at 800-772-1213 or online.
Does Type 2 Diabetes Qualify For The Disability Tax Credit
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cant properly use the insulin released or does not make enough insulin. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used as energy. About 90 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes more often develops in adults, but children can be affected.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 doesnt always require insulin administration, but it takes a significant amount of time, money, and effort to maintain when it is necessary. If caring for the disease takes up to 14 hours per week to tend to, you could be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit.
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Financial Assistance For People With Diabetes
If you’re living with diabetes, you may have higher health care-related costs than people without diabetes. Financial assistance programs can help offset some of the costs associated with diabetes management.
Various financial assistance programs are offered by governments, communities and groups across Canada. These programs may differ from province to province and eligibility criteria for each program are unique.
What Is Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body cannot maintain healthy levels of sugar in the blood. Type 1 diabetes is diabetes caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
The pancreas is an organ below and behind the stomach that produces the hormone insulin. Insulin moves glucose into the cells to be stored and used for energy.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose stays in the blood, causing the blood glucose level to be higher than normal. This then causes the problems associated with diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not make enough insulin or does not use it well.
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How Much Can You Receive From The Disability Tax Credit:
If approved for the DTC for diabetes, you can receive one or more tax refunds, depending on how long you have lived with the condition. To find out how much you can stand to receive from the DTC, use our highly accurate Disability Tax Credit Calculator. However, to give a rough estimation, here is how much you could earn from the DTC:
The Disability Tax Credit consists of a Federal portion and a Provincial portion. The Federal portion is the same across Canada, while the Provincial portion is different in each Province.
If found eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you could receive:
- Annual refund If found eligible, you can claim a refund annually when you prepare your taxes. An adult can receive around $1,500-$2,000 per year, while a childs caregiver can receive up to $4,000 per year.
- Retroactive One-time Refund If youve been living with diabetes for years before your approval for the DTC, the CRA will evaluate your application to see when your symptoms started. If applicable for prior years, you could receive a one-time lump sum payment for up to the past ten years. If you or your supporter have been paying federal taxes during those years, you will receive up to $20,000, or up to $40,000 youre under 18.
FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TORECEIVE THE DISABILITY TAX CREDIT!
How To Apply To The Disability Tax Credit For My Child With Diabetes
As with adults, applying for a child for the Disability Tax Credit for diabetes comes down to the amount of time it takes to maintain the disease and its overall effect on the childs ADLs.
However, if you are applying for the DTC for a child with diabetes, the time you and the child spent doing and supervising activities related to tending to their diabetes will both count towards the 14 plus hours a week required to make them eligible due to life-sustaining therapy.
Activities counted as supervising a child with Type 1 diabetes that can be as the 14 hours per week requirement include:
- Waking the child at night to test their blood glucose level
- Checking the child to decide if more blood glucose testing is needed
- Any other supervisory activities be considered necessary to adjust the dosage of insulin
An eligible child may receive one or both of the following refunds:
- Federal Tax Refund If the impaired childs parent or caregiver has paid into Federal income taxes, they will receive the same amount an adult claimant would.
- Child Disability Benefits If the parent or caregiver has not paid into Federal income tax, they will only receive the Child Disability Benefits.
To learn more about the Child Disability Tax Credit, check out our in-depth guide.
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What Is The Childrens Health Insurance Program
CHIP offers free or low-cost Medicaid to children whose parents earn too much for Medicaid but not enough to pay for a private health plan. In some states, CHIP may also cover pregnant women and parents. Learn whether your family members qualify for CHIP through HealthCare.gov or your states Medicaid or CHIP agency.
Learn more about CHIP at www.insurekidsnow.gov or call 18775437669.
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Diabetes can be managed through oral medications. In addition to insulin, metformin, which is a sugar-reducing agent, is also a common treatment for diabetes. It is considered a first-line therapy for diabetes treatment and is often added to insulin. It is important to know the risks of taking diabetes medications. Some drugs can be addictive, so you must consult your doctor before taking any medication. Your physician can prescribe you an appropriate treatment plan based on your medical history.
Your doctor will prescribe medication and check your blood glucose levels on a regular basis. Your A1c level will be checked every six months and your cholesterol levels will be tested regularly. Your doctor will also look for any signs of retinopathy, which is damage to the nerves in the eye caused by diabetes. You will also be examined for any foot problems. It is important to see a foot specialist regularly. Your feet should be thoroughly inspected for damage to the nerves.
While the first two types of insulin are the most common treatments, diabetes can be treated in a variety of ways. Your doctor may prescribe medications to control high blood pressure, which can protect the kidneys. Other types of medication include aspirin and other types of anti-platelet drugs. If your doctor is concerned about your blood sugar level, you may need to try a different medication. Some medications can cause side effects. Your treatment will depend on what type of insulin you need.
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What Health Insurance Plans Cover People With Diabetes
Health insurance helps pay for medical care, including the cost of diabetes care. Your health insurance options are
- private health insurance, which includes group and individual health insurance
- government health insurance, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program , TRICARE, and veterans health care programs
Under current law, health insurance companies cant refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing conditionthat is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.
Changes to insurance rules happen often and may affect your health insurance choices. Learn more or get help with your health insurance questions through
- HealthCare.gov , the federal marketplace, 1-800-318-2596, TTY: 1-855-889-4325
- copayments and deductibles
- health care providersdo your providers participate in the plan, or will you have to change providers or pay more to see your current providers because they are out of network?
Ask for a Summary of Benefits and Coverage, which explains the plan in plain language, including free preventive services. This summary may include a coverage example for managing diabetes.
How Is Eligibility Determined
The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairments, which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
The application will require medical professionals to submit evidence attesting to and providing proof of impairment. This evidence might include clinical or laboratory reports or imaging reports.
Welfare agents, teachers, clergy, or family members can also provide other evidence to support the application.
Following the denial of an individuals claim, they have the right to file an appeal.
A different team at the DDS will review the application and come to a new determination.
If the second team decides to deny the application, an applicant has the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. An applicant or their representatives may submit additional evidence at this time.
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Lilly Canada Cares Insulin Assistance Program
Who qualifies?
This program will provide insulin to patients who cannot afford it and do not have government or private insurance. Those eligible for this assistance include patients requiring insulin whose household incomes fall below Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off levels AND who do not have other government or private health insurance. The supply will be delivered to the designated Diabetes Education Centre for the individual to pick up. If the need is still present after three months the individual, with their Health Care Professional can reapply.
For what supplies?
Insulin
Contact: 1-888-479-7587 ext. 3006
Government Assistance For Type 1 Diabetes
The federal government offers several diabetes help assistance programs that assist with covering prescription costs, doctor visits, and more. Keep in mind that all of these assistance programs have their own set of eligibility criteria, as well as application deadlines and waiting periods.
- Government assistance program for type 1 diabetes is available through Medicares pharmaceutical program, which helps alleviate the cost of paying for expensive medication.
- Community health centers deliver various excellent health care and pharmacy services to roughly 28.4 million patients each year. These government-funded centers can be found in every state and territory within the US
- For those with children or teens, Medicaid offers specific health insurance coverage options. These programs are either low-cost or.
- Seniors can take advantage of the governments benefits program, which covers medications and other health care costssaving elderly patients an average of $4,900 each year.
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