Best Diabetic Supply Companies

Final Verdict

If you need more general supplies, such as test strips, a glucose meter, lancets, and others, then a larger company such as Byram Healthcare may be right for you. Once you are in the system for Byram Healthcare, they can send you alerts when they think you might be running low on supplies based on your previous order history. They also bill insurance and offer convenient delivery.

Compare Diabetic Supply Companies

Guide to Choosing Diabetic Supply Companies

When deciding where to source your diabetes supplies, there are important considerations unique to each person, such as insurance, cost, brand, and more.

Insurance Coverage

Depending on your insurance coverage, you might need to use specific suppliers that contract directly with your insurance. Most companies will do this leg work on your behalf. Many require that you sign up, submit your insurance information, and then they let you know whether they work with your particular insurance. This may become a lot of work if you submit to multiple companies, so an alternative would be to call your insurance company and ask which suppliers they contract with.

Brand Reputation

People living with diabetes deserve to know that the supplies they use are reliable and trustworthy. Brand reputation can help play a role in this confidence. Ask a healthcare provider for recommendations. They likely see patients using different brands and can recommend ones they deem to be reputable. Ask around in diabetes support groups to get a sense of how customers perceive a brand. You can also read reviews online, but remember that reviews on a brand's website are likely cherry-picked to show only positive reviews.

Cost

Living with diabetes can be expensive. Cost will likely be a critical factor in which diabetes supply company you use. It can pay off to comparison shop between different suppliers. Sometimes ordering directly from the brand you use can be cost-effective. Often manufacturers offer cost savings through coupons or co-pay cards, so check manufacturers' websites as well.

Ordering

Convenience in ordering and receiving supplies can help save you time and energy. Getting supplies delivered to your door is a huge bonus when choosing a diabetes supply company. It is also helpful to use a company that a healthcare professional can work with directly when necessary for prescribing.

Diabetes Type

Anyone with diabetes should have an individualized care plan because there are different types of diabetes, and no two people are exactly alike when treating the disease. For example, if you have type 1 diabetes and take multiple daily injections using an insulin pen device, you will need pen needles, insulin, replacement pens or replacement insulin cartridges, a blood glucose meter, lancets, alcohol swabs, test strips, ketone strips, glucose tablets, glucagon, etc.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and use insulin pump therapy with a continuous glucose monitor, you will need all the above supplies, in addition to infusion sets, sensors, insulin for your pump, tubing, etc.

If you are a person with type 2 diabetes and take oral glucose medication, and have a history of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage to the feet), you may need oral medication, a blood glucose meter, test strips, alcohol swabs, compression stockings, and diabetes shoes. Your diabetes care team will help you understand what supplies you need and how long they will last before you need them to be refilled.

Medicare Coverage

Diabetes services and supplies are covered by Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). Part B covers glucose testing monitors and infusion pumps, as well as test strips, lancets, glucose sensors, therapeutic shoes or inserts, tubing, and insulin. People with diabetes will have to reach their annual deductible to receive this benefit, and then they are responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (Medicare will pay 80%).

Part D covers insulin, oral diabetes medication, syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, gauze, and inhaled insulin devices. People with part D coverage will be responsible for coinsurance or co-pays and may also be responsible for a Part D deductible payment. To receive these benefits, you must get supplies from a pharmacy or supplier enrolled in Medicare. You’ll have to pay the entire bill for supplies from non-enrolled pharmacies or non-enrolled suppliers. For people with Medicare, at-home diabetes supply companies can often save them money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology

Choosing the best diabetic supply company depends mostly on your insurance type. Because there are so many insurance policies out there, we decided the most effective way to scout the best diabetic supply companies was to check out the scope of supplies offered as well as user reviews.

Before deciding on a specific company, it's important to find out who your insurance has contracts with, which supplies you need, and how you can get them all conveniently to your home with little fuss. People who use insulin pumps might find it easier to get their pump supplies delivered directly from the pump supplier. Compare costs and discuss with a healthcare provider which option is right for you or your loved one.