As people get older, the risk for type 2 diabetes increases. In the United States there are over 25 million people who have diabetes, and close to 27 percent of them are older than 65. Surveys show that instances of diabetes rise from 3.9 percent in adults between 40 and 49 years old, up to 13.2 percent in adults who are 75 years and older. Scientists have found that instances of type 2 diabetes generally reach a peak between the ages of 60 and 74.
These high numbers are unsettling because having type 2 diabetes also increases the risk for other diseases that become more prevalent with age. These diseases include cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Many people are successful at managing their type 2 diabetes by closely monitoring blood glucose levels and making lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet that limits processed foods and increases fiber-rich vegetables and grains, gaining control of weight, and adding more daily activity help many people regulate high blood sugar levels and keep type 2 diabetes at bay.
While some people have success with diet and exercise alone, others need prescription medications like Janumet to help control high blood sugar levels. If your physician has suggested that you take Janumet, it is important to get the facts about how it can help you and if you have Medicare coverage for its cost.
How Does Janumet Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels?
Janumet is an oral medication that your health care provider may prescribe to help control high blood sugar levels if you have type 2 diabetes. Janumet is a combination of Sitagliptin and Metformin. Sitagliptin helps your body increase levels of incretins, which in turn boost insulin release at the right time in your body. Metformin helps your body use insulin more efficiently while decreasing sugar production in the liver.
Janumet comes in tablets with two strengths available. Your health care provider may prescribe a dosage of either 50 mg sitagliptin and 500 mg metformin combination, or 50 mg sitagliptin with 1000 mg metformin combination. Your initial dose depends on your condition and blood glucose levels. Your physician may suggest that you take Janumet twice a day after eating.
Your health care provider may suggest that you make lifestyle changes in tandem with taking an oral medication like Janumet to help lower high blood sugar levels. If so, you can get more information about your prescription drug coverage from a licensed agent at your local CMS offices or a Medicare Advantage provider in your area.
Medicare Coverage for Janumet
Without insurance, the price of Janumet depends on where you live and the pharmacy where you purchase it. Across the country, average prices for a 30-day supply of Janumet 50mg/500mg run between $145.00 and $182.00. For a 30-day supply of Janumet 50mg/1000mg, you may pay between $145.00 and $200.00
If you have Medicare coverage through a Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage, you may have cost assistance for Janumet. What your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan covers depends on your state, your insurance provider, and the formulary for your plan.
A formulary is a list of the drugs that your plan includes in its coverage. Your provider also places the covered drugs into different tiers, making a difference in the final cost of your drug. Drugs that are on tier one are usually the generic prescription drugs and have the lowest copayment. On tier two are brand-name prescription drugs that are preferred and come with a medium copayment. Tier three includes many brand-name drugs that are not preferred and have a higher copayment.
If your Medicare insurance includes a Part D plan, your final cost for prescription drugs depends on the plan’s copayment and coinsurance. You are also responsible for your deductible if your plan has one. Other factors that influence your final costs are whether the pharmacy you use is in your plan’s network, if the drugs are on the formulary, and if you use Medicare’s Extra Help program.
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