Living with chronic illness is exhausting enough.

Add denied claims, surprise bills, $500 copays, and confusing insurance rules—and suddenly managing your health becomes a full-time financial battle.

In this episode, I sat down with Sally Figueroa, a mom of four, chronic illness advocate, and founder of Health Savings Expert.

Sally lives with Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed at age 12) and Rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's disease, chronic sinusitis, and the long-term impact of multiple surgeries

She's also supported loved ones through endometriosis, Lyme disease, and amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS). For over two decades, she's been navigating the healthcare system—not just for herself, but for others.

And what she discovered?

Many of the ways to lower medical costs already exist. They just aren't widely shared.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Manufacturer copay programs that can reduce prescriptions to $0
• Prescription discount cards like GoodRx and how to use them strategically
• Why insurance doesn't always mean affordable
• What to do when your medication is denied
• Organizations that advocate for patients behind the scenes
• The emotional weight of chronic illness + financial stress
• Why community storytelling can save families thousands

Sally created Health Savings Expert as a hub where patients share real-life savings stories—so no one must figure this out alone.

Because while we wait for policy reform or future breakthroughs, we still must manage today.

💻 Visit Sally's website:
HealthSavingsExpert.com

Explore the resource hub, read savings stories, and consider sharing one of your own. Saving $20 on supplies matters when you're living with a condition that never takes a day off.

You can also find Sally on:

Website: HealthSavingsExpert.com

Instagram @Sallyfigfry

YouTube @Health Savings Expert

Every shared story creates a ripple effect.

Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health.

https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

Sometimes women aren't ready for hormone replacement therapy.
Sometimes access is limited.
And sometimes you simply want to strengthen your foundation first.

In this episode, I'm sharing three supportive, non-hormonal ways to boost insulin sensitivity during perimenopause and beyond — especially when progesterone and estrogen are fluctuating and your blood sugars feel harder to predict.

If your luteal phase feels stickier…
If fasting glucose is creeping up…
If workouts spike you more than they used to…

This conversation is for you.

We cover:

• How Vitex (chasteberry) may support progesterone signaling and improve luteal-phase insulin resistance
• Why improving HRV (heart rate variability) and activating the vagus nerve can lower stress hormones and support fasting glucose
• The powerful combo of strength training followed by steady-state cardio to improve muscle glucose uptake and reduce post-workout spikes

These are practical tools you can begin implementing right away — always in partnership with your healthcare provider.

Remember:
These strategies are not replacements for medical care.
They are foundational habits that support steadier blood sugars — whether you pursue hormone therapy now, later, or not at all.

You don't have to figure this out alone.

Mentioned in this episode:
I'm proud to spotlight Diabetes Sisters, a nonprofit offering education, peer support, and community for women living with diabetes.
Visit diabetessisters.org to join—it's free and a wonderful resource.

👉 Want deeper support?
Learn more about my Type 1 in Midlife Coaching Circle, where we meet weekly and focus on one area of health each month to support hormones, blood sugar, and long-term wellbeing.

https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2026

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a woman who's navigating this season—you never know who needs to hear it.

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

*Visit diabetessisters.org to join. It's free, easy to use, and a great place to find community and support.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

Are there natural or non-hormonal options for managing perimenopause and menopause symptoms—especially if you're living with type 1 diabetes?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from women, and in this solo episode, I'm breaking it down with honesty and realistic expectations.

We'll talk about what non-hormonal options can support, where they fall short, and why the goal isn't perfection—but steadiness. I share my own experience navigating perimenopause, plus what I've seen work (and not work) with the women I coach.

In this episode, we cover:

• When non-hormonal options may make sense
• Prescription options that don't include estrogen or progesterone
• Why sleep, stress regulation, strength training, and nutrition matter no matter what
• Herbs and supplements like magnesium, omega-3s, Vitex, black cohosh, and maca—who they may help and who should be cautious
• Why "natural" doesn't always mean safe or predictable
• How your hormonal stage changes what works

I also share why I believe lifestyle support is the foundation—whether you eventually choose hormone therapy, non-hormonal options, or a mix of both.

As always, this episode is educational and based on lived experience. Take what you learn here back to your healthcare provider and decide what's right for your body.

🎧 Mentioned in this episode:
I'm proud to spotlight Diabetes Sisters, a nonprofit offering education, peer support, and community for women living with diabetes.
Visit diabetessisters.org to join—it's free and a wonderful resource.

👉 Want deeper support?
Learn more about my Type 1 in Midlife Coaching Circle, where we meet weekly and focus on one area of health each month to support hormones, blood sugar, and long-term wellbeing.

https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2026

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a woman who's navigating this season—you never know who needs to hear it.

Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode.

What to do now:

*Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause.

*Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.

*Visit diabetessisters.org to join. It's free, easy to use, and a great place to find community and support.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.