Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance Programs
(For more detailed information on any of the programs below, please phone the number listed with the program)

• Monitoring for Health Program - Canadian Diabetes Association, Ontario (program is funded by the Ministry of Health)
(NOTE: Only for those that are insulin using or have gestational diabetes)

1 (800) 361-0796
This program housed out of the Canadian Diabetes Association, is a program for Ontario residents (with a valid health card), that are insulin using or have gestational diabetes. They must have no other coverage for the supplies covered by this program (for example seniors would only be covered for lancets and a meter once every 5 years due to the fact that their strips would be covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program - see following). When accessing the program people can receive a 75% reimbursement, up to a maximum of $600.00 for strips and lancets annually. The program will also cover 75% or $75.00 (whichever is less) for a blood glucose meter once every five years. For those who have diabetes (insulin-using) and are visually impaired, 75% or $300.00 (whichever is less) will be reimbursed for a Glucovox (a talking meter) once every five years. Call for more information or, see your participating pharmacy.

• Syringes for Seniors Program ($125.00 grant), assistance with costs for various assistive devices - Assistive Devices Branch (Ministry of Health)

1 (800) 268-6021 (416) 314-5518
This Branch of the Ministry of Health runs a program called Syringes for Seniors. It assists those over 65 living in Ontario (with a health card) in purchasing needles for insulin injections, through a $125.00 grant. Those that qualify must complete an application form annually to receive the grant. The Branch will also assist those in need of assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, prosthesis, canes etc.) - no age requirement - by offering financial assistance.

• Ontario Drug Benefits Plan (ODB) - see following for programs using ODB (Ministry of Health)

Anyone on social assistance or using the Trillium Drug Program uses the ODB plan. The ODB plan is medical plan that covers the majority of drugs and some medical supplies (such as strips). Needles are not covered under this plan. Seniors (age 65 & over) are also eligible to access the plan (depending on annual income a $100.00 deductible may required) and should speak to their local pharmacist.

PLEASE NOTE: If a particular drug is not covered by the ODB, individuals with their physician, can apply for special, time limited funding. This is called a SECTION 8 MECHANISM - individuals should speak to their physician about this process.

• Trillium Drug Program - Assists people with high drug costs in relation to their income (Ministry of Health)

1 (800) 268-1154 (416) 314-5518
Trillium offers assistance to those that have a low income and no financial coverage for drug costs. To apply to this program the individual must complete an application form that will have detailed questions about their income. Based on that completed application a deductible is determined and the individual must meet it before the coverage begins. Once the deductible is met, the individual will only have to pay a basic, low cost, dispensing fee. Most diabetes medications and blood / urine testing supplies are covered through the program, however needles are not. This program uses the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan for its coverage. Claimants may use this plan for any prescription medications; it is not limited to those associated to diabetes. Claimants should note that items such as strips must be obtained through a prescription from a physician to receive coverage. Call for more information or, see your participating pharmacy.

• Welfare & Ontario Disability Support Program (Ministry of Community and Social Services / Ministry of Health)

Refer client to the Social Services section of their local blue pages for phone numbers

Any person on welfare / family benefits or the Ontario Disability Support Program will have the cost of managing their diabetes covered by the individual programs. Drugs and strips are covered through prescription on the Ontario Drug Benefit plan. Other costs associated with managing diabetes (needles for example) should be worked into the individuals cost of living expenses and reflected in their monthly cheques. For those on the Ontario Disability Support program, 65% of the cost of lancets will be reimbursed by the Monitoring for Health Program (please note the individual still must be insulin using and follow the claims process for the Monitoring for Health Program).

• Social Benefits Tribunal (Appeal Centre for provincial assistance programs)

1 (800) 753-3895
If an individual on social assistance feels he or she has been assessed unfairly (for funding), the individual may appeal the decision through this office.

• Lilly Canada Cares Insulin Assistance Program (Note: Individual must apply to this program through a Health professional only - such as a Diabetes Educator)

1 (888) 479 7587 ext. 3006 (Information line for Health Care Professionals)
This program will provide insulin to patients who cannot afford it and do not have government or private insurance (approximately 3 month supply). Those eligible for this assistance include patients requiring insulin whose household incomes fall below Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off levels AND who do not have other government or private health insurance. The supply will be delivered to the designated Diabetes Education Centre for the individual to pick up. If the need is still present after three months the individual, with their Health Care Professional can reapply.

• Pump Assistance

At this time there is no government funding for pumps and pump supplies. Individuals wishing to purchase a pump do have some avenues worth exploring. If the individual has access to a company group health insurance plan, they should check to see if coverage exists for the pump and for the supplies needed to use a pump. If the company does offer coverage the individual should request confirmation in writing that it is part of the existing plan. If it is not part of the existing plan, they may wish to explore the option of paying additional plan fees to add coverage. The individual should also check with the manufacturer of the pump to see if they offer a payment plan to purchase the pump.


	Algoma Diabetes Education & Care Program
		Financial Assistance


home page / information / financial assistance / eye care / foot care / fitness / pharmacies / diabetes professionals page Financial Assistance Programs (For more detailed information on any of the programs below, please phone the number listed with the program) *• Monitoring for Health Program* - Canadian Diabetes Association, Ontario (program is funded by the Ministry of Health) (NOTE: Only for those that are insulin using or have gestational diabetes) 1 (800) 361-0796 This program housed out of the Canadian Diabetes Association, is a program for Ontario residents (with a valid health card), that are insulin using or have gestational diabetes. They must have no other coverage for the supplies covered by this program (for example seniors would only be covered for lancets and a meter once every 5 years due to the fact that their strips would be covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program - see following). When accessing the program people can receive a 75% reimbursement, up to a maximum of $600.00 for strips and lancets annually. The program will also cover 75% or $75.00 (whichever is less) for a blood glucose meter once every five years. For those who have diabetes (insulin-using) and are visually impaired, 75% or $300.00 (whichever is less) will be reimbursed for a Glucovox (a talking meter) once every five years. Call for more information or, see your participating pharmacy. *• Syringes for Seniors Program* ($125.00 grant), assistance with costs for various assistive devices - Assistive Devices Branch (Ministry of Health) 1 (800) 268-6021 (416) 314-5518 This Branch of the Ministry of Health runs a program called Syringes for Seniors. It assists those over 65 living in Ontario (with a health card) in purchasing needles for insulin injections, through a $125.00 grant. Those that qualify must complete an application form annually to receive the grant. The Branch will also assist those in need of assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, prosthesis, canes etc.) - no age requirement - by offering financial assistance. *• Ontario Drug Benefits Plan (ODB)* - see following for programs using ODB (Ministry of Health) Anyone on social assistance or using the Trillium Drug Program uses the ODB plan. The ODB plan is medical plan that covers the majority of drugs and some medical supplies (such as strips). Needles are not covered under this plan. Seniors (age 65 & over) are also eligible to access the plan (depending on annual income a $100.00 deductible may required) and should speak to their local pharmacist. PLEASE NOTE: If a particular drug is not covered by the ODB, individuals with their physician, can apply for special, time limited funding. This is called a SECTION 8 MECHANISM - individuals should speak to their physician about this process. *• Trillium Drug Program* - Assists people with high drug costs in relation to their income (Ministry of Health) 1 (800) 268-1154 (416) 314-5518 Trillium offers assistance to those that have a low income and no financial coverage for drug costs. To apply to this program the individual must complete an application form that will have detailed questions about their income. Based on that completed application a deductible is determined and the individual must meet it before the coverage begins. Once the deductible is met, the individual will only have to pay a basic, low cost, dispensing fee. Most diabetes medications and blood / urine testing supplies are covered through the program, however needles are not. This program uses the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan for its coverage. Claimants may use this plan for any prescription medications; it is not limited to those associated to diabetes. Claimants should note that items such as strips must be obtained through a prescription from a physician to receive coverage. Call for more information or, see your participating pharmacy. *• Welfare & Ontario Disability Support Program* (Ministry of Community and Social Services / Ministry of Health) Refer client to the Social Services section of their local blue pages for phone numbers Any person on welfare / family benefits or the Ontario Disability Support Program will have the cost of managing their diabetes covered by the individual programs. Drugs and strips are covered through prescription on the Ontario Drug Benefit plan. Other costs associated with managing diabetes (needles for example) should be worked into the individuals cost of living expenses and reflected in their monthly cheques. For those on the Ontario Disability Support program, 65% of the cost of lancets will be reimbursed by the Monitoring for Health Program (please note the individual still must be insulin using and follow the claims process for the Monitoring for Health Program). *• Social Benefits Tribunal* (Appeal Centre for provincial assistance programs) 1 (800) 753-3895 If an individual on social assistance feels he or she has been assessed unfairly (for funding), the individual may appeal the decision through this office. *• Lilly Canada Cares Insulin Assistance Program* (Note: Individual must apply to this program through a Health professional only - such as a Diabetes Educator) 1 (888) 479 7587 ext. 3006 (Information line for Health Care Professionals) This program will provide insulin to patients who cannot afford it and do not have government or private insurance (approximately 3 month supply). Those eligible for this assistance include patients requiring insulin whose household incomes fall below Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off levels AND who do not have other government or private health insurance. The supply will be delivered to the designated Diabetes Education Centre for the individual to pick up. If the need is still present after three months the individual, with their Health Care Professional can reapply. *• Pump Assistance* At this time there is no government funding for pumps and pump supplies. Individuals wishing to purchase a pump do have some avenues worth exploring. If the individual has access to a company group health insurance plan, they should check to see if coverage exists for the pump and for the supplies needed to use a pump. If the company does offer coverage the individual should request confirmation in writing that it is part of the existing plan. If it is not part of the existing plan, they may wish to explore the option of paying additional plan fees to add coverage. The individual should also check with the manufacturer of the pump to see if they offer a payment plan to purchase the pump.