FAQ
Unfortunately, your insurance company can choose what prescriptions they will cover and which prescriptions they will not cover. Most insurance companies will not cover any prescription that is available over the counter or has an over the counter equivalent. Some insurance either excludes or requires prior authorization for more expensive medications, especially when there is a lower cost alternative. Ask your employer or insurance provider for a formulary list of medications so you will know what your insurance covers.
Your insurance company often makes adjustments to your policy before you receive notification of the changes. Many insurance companies do increase patient copays each year. Be sure to read your policy and any notifications you receive in the mail concerning your insurance.
Brand and generic medications are required to meet the same standards set by the FDA. I always recommend using a generic when available. You get the same effect from the generic as the brand. There are rare occasions, however, when you should not switch between different manufacturers of a medication. Ask your pharmacist about specific medications that fall into that category.
When a patient is first diagnosed with diabetes, it is true that he or she can tell if blood sugar is high or low based on how he or she feels. However, as the disease progresses, patients will lose the ability to sense if blood sugar is high or low. Therefore, it is important to check blood sugar at regular intervals.
Frequency of blood sugar tests depends on multiple factors. Some things to consider are
- How often does your doctor want you to check your blood sugar.
- Is your blood sugar poorly controlled
- Do you have frequent hypoglycemic events
- Are you taking insulin?
The more you test, the better you know how to control your sugar.
Most insurance does offer coverage for the supplies if prescribed by a doctor. Some insurance covers these items on prescription benefits and some on medical benefits. Often, only participating providers can bill for medical supplies. Keep in mind that Medical Center Pharmacy is a participating provider with most insurance plans