Access to cheaper diabetes products

More than 600,000 people with diabetes can access cheaper products that help them manage their diabetes following the government’s changes to the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
From December 1, patients will save up to $126 per year on the cost of already subsidised items listed on the NDSS such as blood glucose test strips, urine test strips and insulin delivery devices.
This was done by working with the suppliers of these products and clinical experts. As a result of the changes, the cost of 100 blood glucose test strips will reduce by $2 for general patients, and the cost of 10 insulin pump infusion sets will reduce by $4.70.
A patient with type 1 diabetes who uses an insulin pump and is a moderate-to-high user of blood glucose test strips per day will save $10.50 per month or $126.50 per year under the changes to concessional payments.
A person with type 1 diabetes who uses 10 blood glucose test strips per day will save up to $73 per year under changes to the general classification.
The government says it is working with Diabetes Australia and key stakeholders to inform NDSS registrants of how to continue to access the products they need at a lower price.
The NDSS supports people to manage their diabetes through access to important information, vital services and subsidised products. Diabetes Australia works with the government to deliver information and support services to people living with diabetes registered with the NDSS.
The government says it will spend more than $1 billion over four years, from 2018-19 through the NDSS, to support more than 1.4 million people with diabetes to self-manage their condition.
For more information visit the NDSS website, the the Department of Health website or contact the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588.