Luckily, the Affordable Care Act has given diabetics greater access to cheaper preventive health care plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, making it easier to get consistent treatment and support for managing Type 2 diabetes conditions and preventing the disease altogether. Here are some tips to get the best coverage, and what to look for when evaluating plans for diabetes.
Where To Get Health Insurance If You Have Diabetes
Diabetes should not prevent you from getting good health insurance coverage available in the health insurance marketplace. You cannot be denied coverage due to a preexisting condition like diabetes. As a diabetic, you will need to research the best health insurance options and prices. Some places where you can check for coverage are:
Through an employer, if you are working Through your spouse or domestic partner’s employer Medicare or Medicaid Private health insurance, or the health insurance marketplace
The American Diabetes Association also offers fact sheets about the health insurance marketplace for diabetics.
How To Get Health Insurance With Diabetes
Diabetics (and pre-diabetics) who want to buy health insurance or change marketplace plans must wait for the annual open enrollment period in the fall to sign up for the best coverage options available (unless they have a qualifying life event). If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, then you may want to take some time to review your health insurance plan’s coverage and Summary of Benefits Coverage (SBC) to see if it covers durable medical equipment (glucose meter), or essential supplies such as test strips and insulin, as well as any other medications and educational resources that will help you manage, prevent, and treat diabetes. Policyholders with changes in personal situations—including job loss, childbirth, or marriage—may qualify for the special enrollment period. Medicaid and Medicare programs are also available throughout the year based on your age or financial situation (you will need to check requirements since they change from state to state). If you missed the open-enrollment deadline, and don’t qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, you can look into short-term health plans sold outside the marketplace, which may be available throughout the year, although it provides limited coverage and may exclude preexisting conditions since it is not ACA compliant. When contacting the marketplace, if you need help understanding your options, you can request the assistance of a “Navigator,” who may be able to provide you with free assistance to understand your options and coverages.
Tips To Get the Best Health Insurance for Diabetics
When looking at your health insurance plan and shopping for the best options, be sure and ask about the coverage that’s included for:
Diabetes suppliesDiabetes-related servicesPrescription drugs and limitationsCounseling or preventive care services available in your planWhat your co-pay or health insurance deductible is
There are many categories of supplies and services. Consider making a checklist when comparing different health insurance plans. You may also want to know more about:
Labs: You may find this under the section of coverage for “lab testing.”Coverage and definitions: Look up the definitions and coverages in the “durable medical equipment” section of your policy. This may list information on medical devices and testing supplies. However, all the information may not be under this section, which is why it is important to ask about the coverages specifically before committing to a policy.Networks: In-network or out-of-network coverage where applicable
Prescription Drug Assistance for People With Diabetes
In addition to using your health insurance to help cover the costs of your prescription drugs, many pharmaceutical companies also offer deals on the cost of prescription drugs themselves. Ask your pharmacist about discount plans or rebates for prescriptions. And check other pharmacies to see if they have better deals with manufacturers. The ADA also offers assistance if you are struggling with costs for insulin and diabetes medication. Diabetics should also check their monthly insurance premiums, co-pays, and coinsurance rates, and make sure preferred doctors are in-network, and that specific drugs are covered.
The Bottom Line
Understanding your medical bills, finding the best prices, and trying to cut down on prescription drug costs can be complicated in the best of circumstances. But when you have additional expenses due to diabetes, this can be overwhelming. According to the American Diabetes Association, people diagnosed with diabetes averaged $16,752 in medical costs per year in 2017. Approximately $9,601 of those costs were diabetes-related. So whether you have family members with diabetes or have diabetes yourself, taking the time to evaluate your health insurance coverage will help you get the best coverage, and save money to avoid unnecessary medical debt.
