Five Tips for Buying Diabetes Supplies
Coping with diabetes is a lifelong goal, and it’s not an easy or affordable one at that. Besides having to strictly adhere to dietary requirements of your condition, you also have to buy numerous diabetes supplies throughout your lifetime.
These diabetes supplies include your emergency medication, insulin and insulin delivery supplies like extra insulin pumps, implantable insulin pumps, insulin inhalers and pens, injection aids, jet injectors, and syringes, foot and skin care treatments and medications, glucose monitors, urine ketone testing supplies, and other diabetes monitoring systems, and specially produced foods for people with this condition.
Costs of diabetes supplies are consistently on the rise, but you unfortunately have an equally consistent need for them. Here are five important tips to reduce their costs as much as possible.
Tip #1 Know What Your Insurance Can Pay for
Insurance companies are notorious for dragging their feet when it comes to paying the bills they’re supposed to pay, but if you let their attitude get to you then you’ll be the one in the losing end and not them.
Research about your rights as an insurance policy holder; know exactly what the insurance company owes you. If your insurance contract covers the costs to keep your diabetes supply refilled, then all you’ll have to do is wait for the supplies to be delivered to your home for free or for a relatively small fee. You may also be asked to sign an Assignment of Benefits form.
Tip #2 Don’t Buy from Dubious Sources
Admittedly, it’s vastly tempting to purchase diabetes supplies from international drugstores because you can take advantage of price arbitrage and pay half the price for the actual costs of items in the United States. Although there are chances that what you’re buying are truly the medication and supplies that you need and all of them are truly safe and effective, there is also a risk of getting ripped off in more ways than one.
You might have ordered and paid for two boxes, but they’ll end up shipping you with just one. They might have given you the right quantity and type but you find out later on they’re already beyond their expiration date. Play it safe by avoiding from buying from dubious sources. Stick with well known diabetes supply firms.
Tip #3 Always Look for Quality in Diabetes Monitoring Systems
Diabetes monitoring systems are something you’ll be able to use for a lifetime because it’s always handy to monitor your blood pressure and sugar count. Avoid purchasing diabetes monitoring systems that are cheaply priced but made from low quality as well. Go for something that will be able to guarantee good performance for a long period of time.
As for blood glucose monitors, there are other factors to consider besides price, quality, and performance. Consider ease of use as well: older people are especially looking for monitors that are simple to use and wide enough for easy handling. Does it display figures in a large and clear enough font size? Are there any other special features you’re looking for?
Tip #4 Buy on Sale
Sometimes, you’ll be lucky enough to find a drugstore or a supplier that is selling the diabetes supplies you need at discount rates. If this opportunity knocks on your door, you should need no further prompting to take it right away.
Tip #5 Only Buy What You Really Need
Meet with your doctor regularly. Regular meetings will let you know if you’re doing especially well and there’s a possibility for you to reduce the amount of diabetic products you need. When that happens, you should then consult your doctor as to what suggestions he could make regarding your need and use of diabetic supplies. He may for instance remove certain items from your list, change one item for something that’s less expensive or reduce the frequency of taking them.
Tip #6 Try a Natural Supplement
Some people may find that a natural nutritional supplement might help support a healthy lifestyle. One we have heard good things about is made by the Xtend Life company. Take a look at the information about this and you might be highly impressed.
Lastly, keep in mind that by taking extra care of yourself, sticking to your low calorie diabetic diet and exercising regularly can all help alleviate your condition and consequently reduce your dependence and use of diabetes supplies. If you make a conscious effort to stay healthy, you’re sure to see a noticeable deduction in your expenses. Best wishes to you on managing your diabetes.