Health Insurance and Diabetes
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Monday, January 23, 2006 |
Q: "Is there some way I can get health insurance? Since finding out I have diabetes, I have been denied health insurance. The agent said I was too obese and the fact that I have diabetes did not help."
A: I understand your frustration to learn that you were denied health insurance due to your diabetes. Although obtaining health insurance used to be much more difficult, recent legislation has improved the situation somewhat.
The most comprehensive resource I found on diabetes and health insurance is from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). The NDIC is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Here is a quote from the NDIC site, called “Financial Help for Diabetes Care”:
"Because health insurance is meant to cover unexpected future illnesses, diabetes that has already been diagnosed presents a problem. It is considered a "preexisting condition," so finding coverage may be difficult. Many insurance companies have a specific waiting period during which they do not cover diabetes-related expenses for new enrollees, although they will cover other medical expenses that arise during this time.
Recent State and Federal laws, however, may help. Many States now require insurance companies to cover diabetes supplies and education. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed by Congress in 1996, limits insurance companies from denying coverage because of a preexisting condition. To find out more about these laws, contact your State insurance regulatory office. This office can also help you find an insurance company that offers individual coverage."
The NDIC provides information on a variety of assistance programs, ranging from health insurance, managed care, Medicare, COBRA, prescription drugs and medical supplies, and local resources.
Each state's laws may vary, so I would encourage you to explore all the sites listed below for information specific to your situation.
Related Links
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
http://www.diabetes.org
Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/
Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.joslin.org
Diabetes Self-Management
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
http://www.nih.gov/
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK)
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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