New government act to limit the cost of insulin for people on Medicare starting in January

byMark Richardson
Illinois News Connection

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CHICAGO -- Last month was National Diabetes Awareness Month. With almost 1.3 million Illinoisans diagnosed with the disease, people with diabetes make up 10% of the population, and another 3.4 million people have prediabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer for employer and individual business at UnitedHealthcare, said the rising cost of insulin is putting many patients in a bind.

"Many of them may even have to make decisions such as, 'Am I gonna buy food for my family this week or am I gonna spend money on my insulin?' So it puts them in a very precarious position," Brady observed.

A study published last month in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed one in five adults with diabetes is rationing insulin to save money, a practice which can damage his or her eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and heart.

The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, which passed this summer, caps the cost of insulin for people on Medicare at $35 a month starting in January. It also caps Medicare recipients' out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 a year, and allows Medicare to negotiate the cost of some drugs.

Brady added starting Jan. 1, UnitedHealthcare will offer zero-dollar cost sharing for people enrolled in standard fully insured group plans, which would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for certain prescription medications, including preferred brands of insulin.

"This should reduce the risk of expensive hospitalizations and of complications from the high blood sugars that can be an effect of diabetes," Brady emphasized. "And overall should make people just feel better."

In the meantime, Brady has some tips on improving your quality of life while on an insulin regimen. She advised reducing sugary processed foods, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco.

"Smoking and tobacco actually decrease the effectiveness of insulin," Brady pointed out. "We can better manage our stress because stress can raise our blood-sugar levels."

She added regular exercise can improve your blood-sugar levels because working out causes your muscles to use more glucose for energy.

Photo of the Day | December 15, 2022

Grin and win it

Jasmine McCullough goes up for a shot between Danville's Cheyenne Walls and Diamond Landfair with a huge smile after beating the two defenders during Urbana's home basketball game last Thursday. The Tigers (2-4) picked up their second win of the season after rolling past the Vikings, 40-25. McCullough, who went 2-for-4 from the free throw line and is currently the third-best 3-point shooter in the Big 12, finished the night with six points for UHS. The team's next home game will be on January 7 against Centennial, who the Tigers play tonight in Champaign.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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The Wright stuff for the Hawks, Oakwood hoops star signs with Quincy University

With family, teammates and friends taking in the moment, Oakwood basketball player Addie Wright signs her National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career with the Hawks of Quincy University.

Photo provided

Oakwood -- Addie Wright signed her NLI on Monday to continue athletic career at Quincy University. The 6-foot-0 post player for Oakwood is averaging 10 points per game in the first ten contests of her final prep season. She finished the 2021-22 season with an average of 14 points and nine rebounds per game.

The daughter of Greg and Staci Wright, Addie plans to study biology or psychology.

"Addie is a hard worker with a strong presence around the rim. We are excited to add her steady and tough skillset to our program," said second-year head coach Kaci Bailey.

Wright's 3.2 steals per game and blocking ability have bouyed the Oakwood progam with a 5-5 record this season. She has scored 107 points and collected 99 rebounds with a little more than two months left in the season.

The future 2023 grad and 2022 VVC First Team member plays summer ball with the Indiana Elite Havoc, an AAU club team. She also ran cross country in the fall the Comets.

Wright and the Comets host Hoopeston Area tomorrow evening and then play two consecutive road games starting with St.Thomas More followed by a trip to nearby Westville.