I refilled two prescriptions this evening. My insurance works best through mail-order prescriptions. It allows me to order 3 months of supplies for a discounted co-pay. It also adds some convenience to this disease since it delivers to my door instead of forcing me to go to the pharmacy and stand in line. I definitely enjoy using a mail-order pharmacy.

As I was refilling the prescriptions, the online mail-order system calculated my costs. It totaled my co-pays ($60 for Humalog and $90 for strips). On top of that, it showed me the total costs for both the insulin and the strips. And I have to say that I was amazed. I know that all this is expensive, but it's been awhile since I've considered what my prescriptions actually cost (not my co-pay cost).

For the Humalog (which is set at about 55 units per day since the RX is for the pump), the total cost is $535.37. An outstanding $500+ bill to my insurance for diabetes. Granted, this order will last me awhile since I'm no longer on the pump. But imagine, when I was on the pump, this would last 3-4 months. Which means it's roughly $1500 a year just for Humalog.

On top of that bill was the whopping $1079.97 for OneTouch Ultra test strips. The prescription is again for a larger amount than I use (old habit of always ordering a little extra) at a 12 times per day check. My average blood sugar check is about 8 times per day, but sometimes I have days where I test a lot more and some where I test a lot less. This was filled last November (I also had leftovers from the previous prescription to use) so it took me quite awhile to go through the 12 boxes. But I'm still amazed that my 1200 test strips are so expensive...even though I hear and quote all the time that it's roughly a $1 per strip.

I can't imagine not having insurance. Or not having as good of insurance as I do (minus their strict doctor policies). I've always been grateful that my co-pays aren't as much as others and that I have the money/support to afford this disease. Even on top of the supplements and hormones that don't get picked up by insurance (which run me about $50 a month), I'm still grateful that this portion of my health is covered.

But at the same time, I'm scared. In a year, I'm out on my own. I won't be covered by my parent's insurance anymore, which means that I have to find a job or the money to find new insurance. And it's scary to think that my next insurance policy may be terrible. The $1500 insulin/strips may be on my shoulders. And then what?

Will I be counting my syringes and injections and strips carefully? Reusing things as much as possible? Letting my health go to waste because I just can't afford more than a certain allowance every day?

This is exactly why I'm an advocate of a more "universal" health plan. Because I know diabetics out there that can't afford to test more than 3 or 4 times a day. I know diabetics that want insulin pumps, but can't get coverage. And it sickens me. I know that pumps and testing are key components to this disease. I know that without these things, we won't live long and healthy lives. We'll suffer...our kidneys will fail, we'll lose our limbs, we'll go blind.

The harsh realities of this disease seem so far off, but in truth they are right around the corner. Those realities are in the face of everyone who can't afford to test multiple times or use enough insulin to adequately keep their blood sugars down. And I desperately hope that we can change that soon.