COLUMBUS (WCMH) — For 20 years, Tylene Billingsley has lived with diabetes.

She started with a pill medication, but her doctor eventually shifted her to the more expensive insulin injections. And the price kept going up, costing her $170 for three injections.

She and her husband then tried to find help, as the medication she needed came with very high deductibles. One nurse even suggested she get a divorce, which would qualify her for cheaper medication.

“And I said, ‘are people doing this?’ She said yes, but, we don’t have the money yet for the divorce.”

But that wasn’t a solution she was willing to take. So Billingsley reached out to Mike Jackson to help her find answers.

The rate of diagnosed cases of diabetes has more than doubled over the last 15 years. Ohio outpaces the nation, with 1 in 10 people living with some type of diabetes. At the same time, the cost of medications for diabetes continues to increase.

“If you’re well and you’re rich, you’re okay, but if you happen to be poor and you got a lot wrong with you, it’s scary,” Billingsley said.

Mike Jackson was able to connect Billingsley with several local organizations to help her.

If you need help with diabetes medication, here are some numbers you can call:

Rx Hope:

877-926-4673

Ohio Best Rx:

866-923-7879

Charity Rx Central Ohio:

614-227-0311Tonight on NBC4 at 6pm, see how Better Call Jackson helped find this retired couple the assistance they need.