Kaylean DiFiori: Choosing Between Groceries and a Prescription

When 32-year-old Minnesota resident Kaylean DiFiori was diagnosed with diabetes in 2025, her doctor immediately created a treatment plan to help control her blood sugar. But managing the condition quickly became more than a medical challenge. It became a financial and administrative battle with her insurance company.

Like many people newly diagnosed with a chronic condition, Kaylean hoped the cost of her medications would be manageable. She was told her prescriptions would total about $200 per month, but that estimate quickly proved wrong.

After her diagnosis, Kaylean was prescribed Metformin and Mounjaro to help manage her blood sugar. Her Mounjaro prescription alone cost about $300 each month. The medication typically costs about $1,300 at the pharmacy, and while her insurance covered roughly the first $1,000, she was still responsible for the remainder. On top of that, she paid about $50 to $60 per month for Metformin. Managing diabetes also meant constantly monitoring her blood sugar. Kaylean used continuous glucose monitoring sensors that needed to be replaced regularly, adding another $100 per month, bringing her monthly costs to about $455.

Because diabetes runs heavily in her family, Kaylean understood how important it was to take her medications consistently. But even when her doctor prescribed a clear treatment schedule, insurance rules made it difficult to stay on track.

Although her prescription policy stated she could refill her medication every 21 days, the point when her next weekly injection would be due, her insurer refused to approve the refill until 30 days had passed. That delay risked leaving her without the medication she needed to keep her blood sugar under control.

When Kaylean called the insurance company to explain, she said she was told she could simply go without the medication temporarily. “They’re like, ‘You can go without it. It’s fine,’” she said. “And I said, ‘No, that’s not how this works. You’re not my care team. You don’t know my medical history.’”

Her doctor warned that missing doses could be dangerous and could even put her at risk of a diabetic coma. Still, resolving the issue required hours of phone calls and repeated appeals to supervisors.

Over several months, Kaylean estimates she spent the equivalent of a full week going back and forth with her insurance company. Some weeks, she spent two full days on the phone trying to resolve coverage issues. At times, she even had to take time off work to make the calls.

One of the most stressful moments came the day before her wedding. As she prepared to leave for her honeymoon, Kaylean discovered that her prescription still had not been approved for refill. “I had to call my insurance company and say, ‘Look, this needs to be filled now because I’m literally getting married tomorrow and need my medication for my honeymoon,’” she said.

The insurance company told her that if she needed an early refill because of travel, her doctor would have to contact them directly. Kaylean had to call her clinic and ask them to intervene to ensure she could get the medication before leaving.

The financial strain also affected other parts of her life. At one point, the cost of her medications forced Kaylean to change the food she bought. “Instead of getting the healthy food that I should be eating, I was getting processed food,” she said. “I wasn’t getting ground beef, chicken, and high-protein items. I was getting food that I could afford.”

Her doctor also recommended meeting with a dietitian to help manage her diabetes. Because her insurance did not cover those visits, Kaylean paid more than $600 out of pocket.

When prescription delays left her without medication, Kaylean sometimes relied on help from family. Her sister, who takes similar medication, occasionally shared doses when Kaylean could not refill her prescription in time, which is something she knows many people cannot rely on.

Eventually, Kaylean decided the situation was unsustainable and switched insurance plans. She moved from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, which she had through her employer, to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota through her husband’s job.

The difference was immediate. “With my husband’s insurance, I pay less than $100 a month for all my medications now,” she said.

Today, Kaylean manages her diabetes with Mounjaro and a continuous glucose monitor. She sets alarms on her phone to make sure she never misses a dose.

But her experience navigating high costs and coverage barriers left a lasting impression. She believes no one should have to struggle to access medication that keeps them healthy. “I would say they definitely need to make it more affordable,” she said. “If this medication is life-saving, then maybe it shouldn’t cost $300 a month.”

Kaylean also sees the impact of these costs within her own family. Her sister, who also has diabetes, pays about $400 per month for insulin because her insurance does not cover it. “When she has to pay that $400 a month, she has to decide: am I going to be able to feed my kids this month, or am I going to have to choose my insulin?” Kaylean said.

For Kaylean, that kind of choice should never be necessary. “Am I going to have my medication this month or am I going to be able to put food on my table and feed myself or my family?” she said. “To me personally, I think that’s just insane.”