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November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a disease that touches many people. In 2021, 11.6% of the United States population was Diabetic (approximately 38.4 million Americans). Diabetes is especially prevalent in older adults; 29.2% of Americans age 65+ have Diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed). 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with Diabetes each year.  

Diabetes Symptoms 

• Frequent urination 
• Extreme thirst  
• Extreme fatigue 
• Blurry vision 
• Cuts and bruises are slow to heal 
• Tingling/pain/numbness in hands and/or feet 

Potential Health Complications 

• Individuals with Diabetes have a higher risk of: 
• Stroke 
• Blindness 
• Kidney disease 
• Heart disease 
• Nerve damage 
• Amputations  

Diabetes Education 

• Adult Outpatient Diabetes Education program via Michigan Medicine 
  • All classes currently held virtually  

• Ask the Experts via American Diabetes Association  
  • Monthly event put on by the ADA. Available online or over the phone.  
  • All events will be held at 2:00 PM ET unless otherwise noted. 
  • Register for each event on the ADA website. To be connected to an event in progress dial 855-531-1065, visit Facebook or YouTube.  
  • Previous month’s events are archived on the website.  

• Diabetes PATH via National Kidney Foundation of Michigan 
  • 6 weekly sessions (Each session lasting 2-2 ½ hours) 
  • Available in-person or online 

• Diabetes Personal Action Toward Health (Diabetes PATH) via AgeWays 
  • Offered both online and in-person. 
  • Offered free of cost, but donations are welcome. 

• Diabetes Prevention via Trinity Health 
  • Must meet eligibility requirements. 
  • Program consists of 16 classes spread out over one year. 
  • Diabetes Self-Management Education via Trinity Health 
  • A physician referral is required.  
  • Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans typically cover the cost of diabetes education. 

• Diabetes 101 Booklet via Michigan Medicine  

Support Groups 

• Type 1 Diabetes Adult Support Group (Michigan Medicine) 
  • Meets 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Endocrinology Clinic Lobby at Domino’s Farms. 
  • Contact (734) 998-2475 or [email protected](link sends e-mail) with questions.  
• Type 2 Diabetes Adult Support Group (Michigan Medicine) 
  • Contact [email protected](link sends e-mail) for information. 

Virtual Programs 

• Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) via the US Department of Veterans Affairs  
• Insulin Inclusive Online Support Group via Diversity in Diabetes 

Affording Medication  

• AffordableDiabetic.org– offers diabetic supplies (e.g., test strips, glucose monitors, etc.) at a discount.

• C3 Diabetes Association– offers affordable diabetes supplies, including glucose meters, testing strips, insulin pumps, and insulin pump supplies.  
  • Must be uninsured or underinsured (your yearly deductible is unattainable). 
  • Household income must be less than $60,000. 
  • Must be unable to monitor blood sugar due to the expensive cost of glucose strips. 
  • Physician must have recommended insulin pump therapy. 

• Lilly Cares– offers Eli Lilly/Lilly medications at no cost (see website for eligibility requirements).

• Lilly Insulin Value Program– caps Lilly insulins at $35/month. 
  • Do not need to have insurance. 
  • Must download and print savings card. 
  • Seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D plans are not eligible. 

• Medicare 
  • Medicare Part B covers insulin if you use an insulin pump that’s covered under the medical equipment benefit. Part B does NOT cover syringes, needles, alcohol swaps, or gauze. 
  • Medicare Part D covers insulin that doesn’t use a traditional pump, is used with a disposable or non-traditional insulin pump, and is inhaled. Medicare Part D also covers medical supplies used to inject insulin, like syringes, gauze, and alcohol swabs. 

• Medtronic– offer insulin pump, flexible payment plan, and other ways to save money on equipment.  
  • CGM Access Discount– offers a discount on certain products (full list on website). 
  • Flex– This program splits the out-of-pocket costs into monthly payments. Offers insulin pump, transmitter, infusion sets, and reservoirs for around $50 per month (depending on insurance).  
  • Medtronic Assurance– offers payment relief for up to 3 months with loss of job and health insurance, payment deferral, financial assistance. Visit their website for more information, including required documentation. 

• Sanofi Patient Connection– offers three support programs. 
  • Reimbursement Connection- helps determine your insurance coverage. 
  • Patient Assistance Connection- helps provide certain Sanofi medications free of cost (must meet eligibility requirements). 
  • Resource Connection- helps connect users with local resources and support (similar to our CSSW Resource Advocacy program). 

 We’ve covered general ways to save money on medications on the blog before- click here for more!

Other Resources 

• Washtenaw County Health Department Chronic Disease Health Coaching and Education 
• Endocrinology and Diabetes Care Specialty Clinic @ East Ann Arbor Health and Geriatrics Center 
• How Can You Make Sure You Take Your Medicine As Directed? via Senior Resource Connect Blog

• How to (safely) dispose of medications via Senior Resource Connect Blog