Helping Hands

Patient assistance is another vital service offered by the DFM. The “Helping Hands” program provides free emergency assistance with diabetes-related medicines and medical supplies once per year to uninsured or underinsured Mississippians. The DFM will also make referrals to pharmaceutical assistance programs and other area agencies. Patients must have current prescriptions and have their medical team or social workers contact the DFM to verify the patient’s need.

1. NO ASSISTANCE CAN BE GIVEN TO PATIENTS WHO CALL THE DIABETES FOUNDATION DIRECTLY. The patient’s medical team or medical social worker must contact the DFM at 601-957-7878  to get a Patient Assistance form faxed to them.
2. After the doctor or medical social worker completes and faxes back the Patient Assistance form with copies of the current prescription, we can verify the patient’s current prescription and needs.
3. The DFM then works to get one month’s medications and/or supplies to the patient by a number of methods, depending on the patient’s location and other factors.

Cost-saving Options

Test strips too expensive?

Explore your options if you are having trouble affording the test strips for your blood glucose meter. Doctors’ offices may be able to offer samples from diabetic supply companies for newly diagnosed patients. If you are having trouble affording strips for the meter your doctor gave you, consider a Reli-On Prime from Walmart which was reviewed by Consumer Reports as being both one of the most accurate and affordable meters available. It costs approximately $10 for the meter and $9.00 for 50 test strips.

Speak up at the doctor’s office: Ask your doctor before you leave the office if you can be prescribed a generic brand of your medicine as opposed to the brand name to help you save money.

Shop around: It is remarkable how much difference there is in price for a medication from pharmacy to pharmacy. Shop around and don’t be afraid to have your prescription transferred to get a better deal.