Diabetes: Sue/Meds, Insurance

You have a choice of private insur/medicare [with supplement] or HMO. There may be other options I don't know about. I chose the HMO road and have been very satisfied with AARP-Secure Horizons. I have had two heart attacks, two cataract surgeries, laser surgery...all the doc visits, lab tests, etc. Any of this would have put me homeless...as it is, there have been some modest copays. I also didn't want to bankrupt my children, who light up my life with gifts, such as a new TV, and new computer, come for dinner -> bringing the dinner, with various excuses: your birthday, Mother's day, Xmas, it's Wednesday...I'm grateful.

I also order meds from the HMO mail-order pharmacy, [free delivery] have a copay. HMO charges a fee/month and is also paid money by govt taken from my Social Security check before I get the remainder. There is another address to order test strips and lances etc. Those are free. [They were sending so frequently I had to call and say don't send anything until I call you!] It's not ideal but it's better than other choices, for me. I have never had a problem with any referral or medical procedure. They are responsive to questions. The mail-order pharmacy is especially concerned and attentive. [They will call your doc for renewals, they will call you to report your meds have shipped, they watch to catch duplicate meds...you can talk to a pharmacist.]

I've never had a doc ask if I could afford the meds they are so quick to prescribe... so have to tell docs what you can afford, rx generics, or think twice about whether you really need that med. I think that Walmart and Walgreens are providing inexpensive meds. There are state programs for med help if you qualify.