KAMLOOPS — As of Tuesday, PharmaCare is covering the cost of insulin pumps for everyone who needs them, regardless of age.
Prior to this, coverage stopped at age 25, causing those living with diabetes to foot the bill themselves.
At 27-years-old, Alyssa Kyllo was preparing herself to pay the approximately $7,000 required to purchase a new insulin pump.
Kyllo, who has been using her insulin pump for 18 years, is relieved to know she won’t have to look at other options.
“I need insulin,” Kyllo said. “So, I would have to find some way to get insulin, and probably without the insulin pump, which isn’t something that I want to do. So, yes, this is a huge relief, huge relief.”
Kyllo has had her current insulin pump for around three years, receiving it before the age 25 cut-off.
She will still need to purchase insulin, the reservoir, and other supplies, but says those are costs she was already having to cover.
“Those are things that I’m prepared to afford, because I have to pay for it right now anyways. But, the extra cost of having to purchase the actual insulin pump is huge, and it’s a huge expense.”
