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Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 14 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and Health Care Education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a diabetes educator in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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April 18, 2009
Tips for managing diabetes in tight economy
By Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Another day, more layoffs. When in New York City just this week, I heard on the news that 600 city workers were laid off.
I wondered how those workers, most of them with families, were making it. Were they able to pay the rent/mortgage or buy groceries?
A job is more than just money, it's about health insurance. Even with good health and without any outstanding medical bills, monthly medical expenses add up — from co-pays for medication and birth control pills to non-prescription medication items such as vitamins and healthy food.
These issues are affecting families all across the nation. A recent article in the "New York Daily News" reports that people with diabetes are cutting back on — or even going without — doctor visits, insulin, medicines and blood-sugar testing as they lose income and health insurance in the recession.
Doctors and diabetes educators have seen a drop in regular diabetes appointments. Sales for top-selling diabetes medications and supplies used to treat and monitor diabetes have dropped since the economy took a downturn last fall.
Looking for ways to spend less money may be difficult if you have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association reports that the typical monthly cost to treat diabetes runs from $350-$900 for those who do not have insurance. Emergency care and short term hospitalization can cost $10,000 or more.
Long-term complications of diabetes can cost far more. The economy affects people with other health problems, but people with diabetes who do not closely monitor and control their disease dramatically increase their risk for diabetes complications. The cost of treating the complications can be much greater than what might be spent on medications and supplies.
The American Diabetes Association offers several guidelines for those who consider themselves having a problem paying for:
Diabetes medications
- Do not stop or reduce medications without first discussing it with your doctor.
- Discuss medication costs with your healthcare provider. Ask for equivalent generic medications whenever possible. Shop around for the best prices.
- If you are on more than one medicine for diabetes, discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of taking a combination diabetes drug.
- Check your local and state government for medication and diabetes supplies prescription assistance. Many state governments have programs to help people who do not qualify for Medicaid cover the cost of diabetes prescriptions and supplies.
- Certain drug companies offer assistance to those without drug coverage.
Diabetes supplies
- Buy test strips in bulk. A 100-count box of test strips is cheaper than 50-count boxes. Ask your healthcare provider to order bulk sizes.
- Look for generic brand meters and supplies.
- If you can't afford to test as much as you would like, talk to your healthcare provider or diabetes educator about a testing schedule that is feasible for you.
- Know what your health insurance policy covers.
- Research ordering strips through the mail such as in 90-day quantities as many insurance plans charge a lower co-pay for this.
- Free monitors are easy to come by. Do not get the first free glucose meter that you see as the long-term cost is in the strips.
- No need for alcohol swabs. Cleaning well with soap and water is all you need.
Insulin and related supplies
- If you buy insulin in bulk, make sure to check the expiration date and use the insulin before it expires.
- Buy syringes in bulk.
- Check with your diabetes healthcare provider or educator as to how long you can use your insulin once opened. It differs by type of insulin. Write the start date on your insulin vial or pen.
- Compare the cost of insulin pen compared to the cost of a vial. If you are on small doses of insulin, an insulin pen may be cheaper in the long run because you throw less insulin away at the end of the month.
- If you use a pump, explore all options for covering the cost of the pump and supplies.
The price of good diabetes control is high, but long-term the cost of not staying healthy is higher. In what ways are you managing cost of care?
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