ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Nancy and Dan Geiler will have been married for 48 years in November, but they thought life together might come to an end over the skyrocketing cost of insulin.
They both have diabetes. Dan considered going without insulin in January because they couldn't afford to pay $1800 a month for insulin, in addition to the other medication they have to purchase.
He also has heart problems. Nancy said she borrowed money from relatives, paid for medication with a credit card and even considered selling her Lemay home that she's lived in for 20 years.
Her husband is now taking Novolin which costs them less than $70 a month with Medicare. She wrote Senator Claire McCaskill to ask her to fight for families struggling with the skyrocketing costs of insulin.
There are three non-profits that specialize in supplying medical necessities to people with chronic diseases.
Americares operates a Safety Net program to supply medications to low-income and uninsured people. Their locations can be viewed on their website.
Direct Relief does some work in Missouri with an emphasis on disaster recovery.
Dispensary of Hope also serves people with low incomes or without insurance, although their nearest partner is Mizzou Pharmacy University Hospital in Columbia.
Eli Lilly will launch a diabetes “solution center” helpline to counsel patients on affording their insulin.
Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis all offer similar assistance programs for people to afford their products without prescription insurance coverage. A pharmacist or primary care doctor can help patients connect with those programs or locate additional savings programs like discount cards.
