Multiple people count on Scott Rineer every day. As a father, grandfather, and chief engineer at a hotel in the Lancaster community, his health is critical not just for him, but for everyone who relies on him.
Living with Type 2 Diabetes since the mid 2010’s, Scott has been managing his condition with two types of insulin.
“My providers and Union Care Team here taught me how to manage my diabetes,” he recalled. “They explained that I would need shots of insulin for the rest of my life to keep me healthy.”
But when Scott lost his health insurance in 2024, the cost of managing his diabetes skyrocketed. Insulin prices soared, and without the coverage he once had, he found himself struggling to afford the medications he needed to stay healthy.
“I was having to pay $500 to $600 dollars a month to afford the medications I needed to stay alive,” Rineer explained.
Rather than leaving Scott to navigate this challenge alone, Union stepped in to find an affordable option for some of his medications while also trying to help him reconnect with insurance coverage.
“Union found a short-term solution that I thought could work that only cost me $10 for a box of 5 insulin pens,” he said.
Unfortunately, before Scott could get back his health insurance and access to the affordable medication he needed, his health took a turn
“I got so sick and felt so weak that I needed to call an ambulance to go to the hospital,” he shared.
Scott spent three days in the intensive care unit, where doctors diagnosed him with diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes that can be life-threatening.
Though Scott hadn’t received a bill for his hospital visit yet, he knows the costs could be tens of thousands of dollars.
After his hospital stay, Scott regrouped with his Union Care Team who continue to help him manage his diabetes. Community Health Resource Coordinators also quickly reconnected with him to ensure he was once again covered by health insurance. This coverage now provides a zero-dollar copay for his medications, lifting the burden of paying hundreds of dollars each month.
“I am saving at least $500 a month on my medications,” Scott said. “And who knows how much I’ll save by avoiding those emergency room visits. Thanks to Union’s support, I can afford all of my diabetes care and focus on what truly matters—my family, my health and my work.”
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