If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, it can be frustrating to try to find help for diabetic patients. Receiving a new diagnosis of diabetes can be scary, overwhelming and frustrating. If you are looking for diabetic help, the first thing you need to know is what type of help you need.
First and foremost, make sure you have a good understanding of the diagnosis and of what type of diabetes you are dealing with. There are four main diagnoses you might have received. These include diabetes type I, type II, gestational diabetes, and diabetes insipidus. Each diagnosis is slightly different and treatment and recommendations vary a bit from one diagnosis to the other.
Talk with the diagnosing physician to be sure that you grasp the diagnosis and understand the recommended treatment plan. If you need specific information or help, your physician is a great primary resource. Your physician’s office can usually help you get any type of help you need to set up. Clinics can give you referrals to specialists, hospitals, for additional testing, to support groups, to dieticians and to a home supply company. Your physician can also write you prescriptions for the medical supplies you will need and the clinic can work with your insurance company to get the necessary testing supplies covered by the insurance. Your physician is a great first line for information regarding your new diagnosis. If you forgot to ask something while you were in clinic, a simple phone call or e-mail is usually all it takes to get the information you are looking for.
If you have a loved one who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, there are several different types of help for diabetic patients that could be of value. Start by finding out what type of help they are looking for. Do they need diabetic diet help, help with diabetic supplies, financial help for diabetic supplies, help finding a diabetic specialist, help setting up home care, help with diabetic education, help finding a support group, or some other type of help related to diabetes.
How to Help a Diabetic?
There are several ways to find help for diabetic patients. The ADA (American Diabetes Association) is a great place to start gathering information and resources regarding diabetes. This website has diet and exercise tips, definitions of each type of diabetes along with recommended guidelines for each type, support group information and information regarding specialists.
As stated earlier, another awesome resource is the diagnosing physician and clinic. Other great places to find help and information are your insurance company, your pharmacy, the local hospital and a local support group.
There are several challenges when facing a diagnosis of diabetes. These challenges include making necessary lifestyle changes, figuring out how to fit home testing and medications/insulin into your life, and working with the insurance company to get the necessary equipment and medical supplies paid for.
The good news is that if you need financial help for diabetic supplies you have many options.
Finding Help with Diabetic Supplies?
Diabetic supplies can include a glucose monitor, testing strips, insulin, syringes, alcohol or cleansing pads, finger stickers, glucose tablets or syrup packages, and possibly oral medications. If you have other medical conditions as well, you might also need a blood pressure monitoring machine or other home equipment.
As stated earlier, the best place to start gathering information about what you will need and the costs involved is your diagnosing physician. Once you have been diagnosed, contact your insurance company to find out what is covered and where they recommend you get the supplies you need for maximum coverage. Sometimes they will recommend your local pharmacy, a mail order pharmacy, a durable medical equipment company or a specific diabetic supply store. They will let you know what your options are and what your cost contribution will be, if any.
Your physician will often times be able to work with your insurance company to prove medical necessity to get items that are not normally covered paid for. Much of the time, you physician will also be able to give you samples of certain items to get you started.
Many diabetic supply companies also offer help in submitting paperwork or getting patients set up with government assistance programs to get diabetic supplies covered.
Other options include contacting the manufacturer or drug companies to find out if they have any programs you can apply for that cover testing supplies and/or medication for patients who do not have insurance. There are also many government programs and subsidies that can help diabetics get what is needed to manage diabetes.
You have many options for obtaining help and information regarding your recent diabetes diagnosis. It can seem like a lot to swallow initially, but there are lots of people out there that can help.
