Diabetes Financial Assistance Programs for Seniors
Diabetes financial assistance for the elderly typically comes directly from the diabetes drug and supply manufacturers. These companies have financial assistance programs for diabetes patients that do not have insurance or whose insurance co-payment amounts are prohibitively expensive. These programs are often referred to as Patient Assistance Programs.
Assistance is provided with the cost of diabetes supplies such as test strips, glucose monitor kits, lancing devices, insulin pumps as well as with diabetes medications.
List of Diabetes Patient Assistance Programs: The following list of diabetes patient assistance programs is update regularly however it is not exhaustive. If you do not see your pharmaceutical company or diabetes supply manufacturer below, you should check with them directly and ask about patient assistance programs.
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Company Name
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Assistance Program and / or Product Name
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Contact Information
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1) Abbott Laboratories
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Abbott Diabetes Care Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-222-6885
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2) Amylin Pharmaceuticals
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Amylin Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-330-7647
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3) AstraZeneca
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AstraZeneca Patient Perscription Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-424-3727
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4) Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Aventis Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-221-4025
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5) Bayer Corporation
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Bayer Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-998-9180
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6) Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
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BD Diabetes Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 866-818-6906
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7) Bristol- Myers Squibb
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Bristol- Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
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Website
Phone: 800-736-0003
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8) Eli Lilly
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Lilly Answers (for seniors)
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Website
Phone: 877-795-4559
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9) GlaxoSmithKline
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GlaxoSmithKline Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 866-475-3678
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10) Medtronic Mini-Med
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Mini-Med Financial Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-MINI-MED
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11) Merck
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Merck Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 908-423-1000
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12) Novartis
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Novartis Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-277-2254
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13) Novo Nordisk
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Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Diabetes Care
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Website
Phone: 866-310-7549
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14) Pfizer
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Pfizer Patient Assistance - Multiple programs available
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Website
Phone: 866-706-2400
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15) Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceuticals
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Proctor and Gamble Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-830-9049
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16) Roche Laboratories
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Roche Laboratories Patient Assistance Program - ACCU-CHEK Products
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Website
Phone: 800-285-4484
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17) Takeda Pharmaceuticals
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Takeda Patient Assistance Program
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Website
Phone: 800-830-9159
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Diabetes Assistance Programs are Also Known As:
-Diabetes Care Programs
-Diabetes Financial Assistance Programs
-Diabetes Patient Assistance Programs
-Diabetes PAPs
-Diabetes Prescription Assistance Programs
Qualifications for Diabetes Assistance for the Elderly The eligibility requirements differ for each organization’s diabetes assistance program; what follows are typical requirements.
Age Requirements
Age requirements differ for each program however for the vast majority of programs, the diabetes patient’s age is not a factor in determining eligibility with the exception of those programs designed specifically for children.
Disabilities / Health Requirements
Other than being diagnosed with diabetes, most organizations do not have additional health requirements to participate in their patient assistance programs.
Family Status
A senior’s marital or family status is not typically considered in determining diabetes patient assistance program eligibility. However, the number of members in the participant’s household will usually impact the income limits for participation in the program.
Financial Status Requirements
Every program has different financial requirements. Typically eligibility is based on one’s household income. Many programs use the federal poverty guidelines as income thresholds. For example, if one’s income is less than 300% of the federal poverty guideline (in 2012, this is $33,510) then they would qualify for assistance.
Some assistance programs have two-tiered eligibility requirements. For example, if your annual income is below $20,000 / year, the prescription or supplies might be completely free or if your income is under $30,000, you might receive a 75% price reduction.
Veteran Status Requirements
A senior’s veteran status usually has no impact on eligibility.
Geographic Requirements
Other than being a US resident, a senior’s place of residence does not typically impact eligibility.
Other Requirements
Some diabetes assistance programs for the elderly require the individual to have insurance; others are only available to those without insurance. So while insurance can be a determining factor, its impact is specific to each assistance program.
Benefits of Diabetes Assistance for the Elderly Types of Benefit Payout
Each program has a different structure. Typically they provide assistance in one of the following ways.
- Reimbursement – your costs or a percentage of your costs are reimbursed after purchasing and providing receipt.
- Coupons – discount coupons that you redeem directly with your pharmacy or diabetes supplies company.
- Direct discounts at your pharmacy – the program has a direct relationship with the pharmacy and the discount is applied at the time of purchase.
- Free product – shipped directly to the program participant.
Benefits Amounts & Limits
The benefit limits depend both on the diabetes patient assistance program and the participating individual’s needs and resources. Some participants may receive a 100% price reduction on their supplies and medications while other may only receive a 25% reduction.
Time to Receive Benefits
Each program has its own timeline; processing and delivery of benefits can happen in as little as one week’s time or can take several months.
Costs of Diabetes Assistance for the Elderly Since these programs are designed for the financially needy, typically there is no cost to participate in the program. If there is a fee, the net savings on supplies or medications will more than cover the fee amount.
How to Apply for Diabetes Assistance for the Elderly One applies for a diabetes assistance program directly with the pharmaceutical company or diabetes supply manufacturer. Typically they request the applicant’s age, state of residence, income, prescriptions, insurance and medical providers information. Be aware that some programs require you to re-apply with each new prescription.
See a
list of diabetes financial assistance programs.
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