I am 70, have type 2 diabetes. I can no longer take metformin. Because I am 70 I would have to pay full price no help from insurance. I will no longer get insurance after the first of the year. I will start Medicare. Is there a program to help with this?
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I'm surprised that you aren't already on Medicare but maybe you had better drug coverage under your old insurance. Medicare D is improving but still has a long way to go. Still, it's better than nothing, so if your doctor says that the drug isn't bad for you then it's time to find which Medicare D program (it's done through private companies) is best for you. The research is time consuming but it would be well worth checking out several reputable providers.
I do hope that you can find something that helps you without doing you harm. Please keep us posted.
Carol
Another concern I have about these medications is that many people with diabetes are not good at management. Some people eat what they want, then take some extra insulin or other medication trying to make up for it. This is a deadly game. Would the person who does this use this class of drug to excrete the extra they eat? Water and minerals are lost along with the glucose.
I really dislike that the Farxiga ad tagged on that it may help you to lose some weight. I REALLY dislike that pharma is allowed to advertise serious drugs to people who have no medical training. The companies want people to mention the drug to their doctors to encourage them to prescribe it. Of course, these drugs cost more because of advertising costs. And in the case of Farxiga, pay will soon be out of pocket only.
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But, assuming it is as the doctor says, does that mean you will be eligible in January, when you are covered by Medicare? That means you would only have two months to cover. Does the doctor have samples that could get you through? Did the doctor tell you how to contact the drug company? Some of them help out, and it would be worth trying that for a couple of months.
I wish you success with this issue, and I am glad that you will have drug coverage soon.
ADW gets diabetes meds thru Medicare/Medex/drug plan
Glad your body was telling you not to use Metformin... you have to go with your gut feeling about any drug you take.... from research I am seeing, Metformin looks like it could cause B12 deficiencies to which B12 supplements don't help... thus with B12 deficiencies it can cause a variety of different ailments. Have your doctor check you for low B12 just to be on the safe side... not everyone who used said pill will run into this situation. Get more info from your doctor.
As for Medicare, check to see if Medicare will cover your prescriptions, it depends on what *Parts* you have signed up for... I know for myself I am using AARP UnitedHealth for my prescriptions and the premiums are quite affordable.
Curious why you waited until you were 70 to get Medicare. My Mom waited until she was 69 and found out she had to pay a higher monthly premium because she delayed in signing up. I don't know if that is still the case as that was over 25 years ago. Hope not. The reason my Mom waited was because she was getting good health insurance through Dad's employer and Dad was 4 years younger than Mom.
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