I was compiling the list of '2014 Diabetes Expenses.' This list includes juices, glucose tabs, diabetes kits, Unisolve, SkinTac, medical ID bracelets, school kits and batteries. And yes, I save receipts on it all. Every little thing adds up when you are constantly buying this and that. And for those people who say 'well, it's only $3, or $5,' I say to you, when you spend that every week, it adds up to serious money. This is just my out of pocket costs. More on that later.
Then I got to all of Grace's prescriptions for the year. The giant stack of CVS receipts for her insulin, test strips, ketone strips, glucagon, lancets, 'prickers' and lidocaine (for insertion of her CGM).
Grace has Pennsylvania state Medicaid. It's her only insurance. She got booted from the PA CHIP program (low cost medical insurance through the state) when she, in their words, not mine, 'became too expensive.' She is at the lowest insurance for the state. Since she has Medicaid, she has a $0 co-pay on all her prescriptions. All I can say is 'Thank the Lord!' because the care she needs would have bankrupted us as a family. I have fought tooth and nail for two medicines off their 'formulary.' She uses everything, there is no waste or overage on any of her medicines or devices.
And here, in all it's glory, is what it all her medicines totaled (CVS costs as listed on script):
Novolog insulin - 3 vials a month = $342.51
Lantus insulin - 1 vial a month = 195.46
Precision ketone strips - 3 boxes a month = $138.48
Glucagon - 2 a month = $336.12
Delica lancets - 1 box a month = $9.41
Freestyle test strips - 3 boxes a month = $381.17
Lidocaine cream - 1 tube a month = $25.55
Total for one month of medicines = $1,428.70
Total for one YEAR of medicines = $17,144.40
Shocking, isn't it? This is just for her medicines she needs. This does not even include the cost of her Omnipod pods or her Dexcom CGM receiver, transmitter or sensor.
I am thankful, each and every day, that she has insurance that helps us out. That keeps her healthy and alive. It's the best money this state has ever spent.
4 comments:
Please understand that I say this out of tremendous concern and not out of judgment... but is Grace really going through two glucagon kits a month?
Hi Scott, I understand your concern. No, she does not go through 2 glucagon kits a month. There are months when I do not pick up the script. I usually pick up about every other month. Grace has only used glucagon (mini-shot) twice in six years of having diabetes.
What I need them for is all the places she is. She has one glucagon in each of her five basic classes at middle school, should there be a lockdown. She has two at home. She has two in the nurses office. She has one at dance class. She has one at a neighbor's house. She carries one. That's why it's not so much 2 a month, it's the places I need them.
I understand your concern. And I know you are not judging. As the kits expire, I replace them in a rotating fashion.
Penny
I never thought about thi . She us only three but this is great food for thought!
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