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I know from personal experience receiving the news that you have diabetes is upsetting, but the good news is with the proper diet and (in some cases) medication, you can manage the disease. Another downfall, though, is the cost of diabetic supplies, needed services such as eye exams, and other things for diabetics. Unfortunately, it’s one of those expenses that can’t be cut from budgets, because managing diabetes is a necessity in order to keep our limbs and eyesight, as well as continue living.
Although we can’t eliminate diabetic expenses, luckily, there are some diabetic freebies out there that can at least offer us or loved ones some savings. Let’s begin with the supplies needed to help manage diabetes.
Free Diabetic Supplies
Care Kits and More for New Jersey Residents
The Diabetes Foundation is offering residents of New Jersey a variety of freebies for diabetics. Those who qualify can receive care kits, test strips, sensors, glucometers, A1c testing, insulin, oral medication and more.
Free Diabetic Supplies for Northern Nevada Residents
If you’re a diabetic living in Northern Nevada and have a low income, you can get free diabetic supplies every month from the CARE Chest diabetic supplies program. The diabetic supplies include blood glucose monitors, syringes, lancets and test strips. The program also helps with medicine and medical equipment.
Free Diabetes Medication
Farxiga (Dapagliflozin)
Patients who are commercially insured or uninsured may be eligible to get this diabetic medicine at no cost. For qualifications and other details, visit Farxiga’s website.
Lilly Medication
The Lilly Cares Foundation helps provide free diabetic medications to those who meet their qualification guidelines. There’s a list of over 30 medications that are covered, some of which include Alimta, Basaglar, Cialis, Cymbalta, Cyramza, Emgality, Erbitux, Evista, Forteo and Humulin.
Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation (JJPAF)
Everyone without health insurance who is accepted into the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistant program will receive some prescription medication free for the entire year and be able to reapply annually. Medications can be picked up at your doctor’s office, local as well as mail-order pharmacies, or shipped free to your mailbox (depending on the medicine).
Novo Nordisk
You or someone you’re a caregiver for could receive Novo Nordisk insulin at no cost through the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP). If you live in the United States and are uninsured, have an income that is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or have Medicare, you’ll probably qualify for this program.
Sanofi Medication
The Sanofi Patient Assistant Connection gives diabetics who qualify for the program certain Sanofi brand medicine at no cost. If you’re approved, the medication will be shipped to you or your loved one’s healthcare provider. Learn more by exploring Sanofi’s website.
BYDUREON BCise
This non-insulin medication for type 2 diabetics eliminates the need to adjust a dial and insert a needle. It’s also easier to use and contains a single dose of medication that works for up to seven days. All you have to do is meet the requirements for the BYDUREON Savings Card in order to get this free diabetes medication.
Diabetes Freebies: Services
Glaucoma Eye Exam for Uninsured Diabetics
If you’re uninsured and haven’t seen an ophthalmologist in a year or more, EyeCare America has a program that offers a free glaucoma eye exam. Keep in mind, they won’t write prescriptions for or cover the cost of glasses.
Medical Care
The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics has 1,200 medical clinics across the United States. These clinics offer free and low-cost healthcare to those who may not have health insurance, are underinsured and/or are low income. You can do a quick search on their website to see if there’s a clinic near you. Just enter your city and state or zipcode in the address field. Then select the number of miles you’re willing to travel to receive healthcare.
Cataract Surgery
Mission Cataract USA helps anyone who has poor vision as a result of cataracts. To qualify for the free cataract surgery, your glasses must not be correcting the problem, and as a result, it’s affecting your activities of daily living. Also, you must have no way of paying for the surgery, so if you have Medicare, Medicaid or third-party insurance coverage, you won’t meet the qualifications.
Operation Sight, through ASCRS, is another organization with surgeons who donate their time to perform free cataract surgery. Unlike Mission Cataract USA, you can have insurance, but you must be underinsured, which means your insurance won’t cover the cataract surgery. Also, your income must be low. The ASCRS website provides further details about the program as well as eligibility information.
I hope this list of diabetes freebies helps you get the things you can’t afford, so you can manage your diabetes. I’ll keep watching for more free diabetic supplies, services and products. When I discover more freebies for diabetics, I’ll be sure to update this article and announce the update in my newsletter as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
Do you know of any diabetes freebies that aren’t mentioned above? Please share them in the comments area below.
