Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of
your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
My mother has diabetes, and when I am at home, I draw up her insulin, but
when I am at work and she needs some, she cannot see well enough to draw
it up. The home health nurse wants her to talk to the doctor about getting
an
insulin pen. Does it already have the insulin in it or do you have to
fill it yourself? Will Medicare pay for it?
Answer
Insulin pens come either of two ways: as a disposable device, or as a
refillable device.
- Disposable: the pen is prefilled at the factory with insulin, and you
throw the whole thing away when empty.
- Refillable: a pen-device that can be refilled by putting a
glass-and-rubber cartridge which is prefilled with insulin into it. When
the cartridge is empty, keep the pen, throw away the old cartridge, and put
a new cartridge into the pen-device.
Ask your pharmacist or the home health nurse to show you what they look
like, and how they work. Many people find them a whole lot easier than
syringes. Your pharmacist can explain whether Medicare will pay for either
version.
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