and labs would be covered under the ACA? I know that various preventative things are, but I'm not entirely clear on all the details.

I was diagnosed about 2&1/2 years ago. I've been fortunate with my insurance, but labs, meds, and testing supplies are not easy, but so, so necessary. And yeah, been my experience that most insurance companies only allow 30day supplies on prescriptions. Even on the testing strips and such. My cynical take is pharmacies like this cause it forces you into their stores at least once a month- and you'll often buy other stuff.

Hang in there. I know how hard it is at first. If there are classes or support groups around, take advantage, at least till you feel you've got a handle on things.

My thoughts are with ya.

Central Coast of CA and we have pharmacies called Rite Aid. I have a prescription that cost me $66 a month. It is generic. Rite Aid has a program that is free. With it I now get my prescription for $9 a month. The program only covers generic drugs.

safety net programs discourage people from moving up the economic ladder. They lose the much-needed safety-net program if they become eligible for a program through an employer or their entire family income increases. In my own case, my husband and I may not be able to move beyond $31,450 next year. That would keep my ACA healthcare premium subsidized along with cost sharing. Should we cross the line to $31,450 then my premium goes up only slightly, but I lose cost sharing that keeps my deductible low. Sad to say, but the value of the cost-sharing is so important that I (personally) am not seeking full-time employment.

for prescriptions. It has been a life saver at our house.

...and the cost of the rx is only $4 generic. In answer to your other question, my doc prescribes a year of metformin on the rx.

Be sure you find the meds generic at your local pharmacy. A1C every three months? Monthly visits? That sure isn't my experience! Could you switch your primary caregiver?

I'd love to have a prescription for a year. Metformin is cheap. Having to pay for doctor visits every month to get the rx and frequent labs are what's expensive.

the doc or clinic must be making $ off the labs. I hope you have another option.

How's your blood sugar? Under fair control, or off the chart?

I was diagnosed this year with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and have some other pancreas/endocrine related problems, and my doc only wants to see me every 3-6months. And he just gave me a 12 month prescription for Metformin without blinking an eye. I pay like $30 for a 90 day supply at the maximum dosage.

If you can get in before your insurance costs go up (maybe the end of the year?), all the better. Explain your situation to the doctor - if you've got a good one they won't require diabetes check-ups more than every 3 months.

Of course it goes without saying - if your doctor wants to see you monthly because of a combination of diabetes and other medical conditions, then you might run into the same problem with other doctors. There could legitimately be a reason for the monthly visits.

(off label usage for fertility issues) my dr. would prescribe a monthly prescription but with three refills. Then the pharmacist would call dr. directly for other refills. (I was on it for two years and it pretty much worked this way.)

I didn't have issues associated with diabetes though. No blood sugar issues. So that could be why.

Good luck with this. Hopefully your doctor will work with you on this. Explain to her that once you are on a dosage that works for you you can't afford the costs of medical care and coming in monthly for blood work.