The Cost of Living with Diabetes
By mdssite | November 25, 2009
The American Diabetes Association, in its 2005 national statistics revealed that almost 21 million people or 7% of the population in the US have diabetes. Consequently, it is estimated that in the United States alone, about $92 billion are spent each year on the treatment and medical care for diabetes. In the same study, it has also been found that about $40 billion are lost each year due to incidents related to diabetes such as loss of work, disability and death.
These national figures are indeed staggering, but what about the actual cost of diabetes medical care for individuals? Let’s take a look at the smaller scale and focus on how much it really costs to live with diabetes.
Medical Care in Diabetes
The basic expenditures of a diabetic patient includes physician costs, testing equipment purchases, medications, diagnostic examinations, service fees for a dietician or other specialists. Aside from these, there are also additional costs related to complications that may result from diabetes such as heart disease, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney failure, etc.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, make sure that you’re taking all the necessary measures to keep your condition under control and to avoid complications. Regular check-ups with your doctor are a must. Closely monitoring your blood sugar level is also crucial. Watching your diet and making sure that you have sufficient exercise are just as important. All these often require you to spend money for a reasonable cause.
With this in mind, an insurance coverage would certainly be a great help so you can keep up with your medical expenses. For instance, you can save on your diabetes testing supplies expenses if you have a health insurance to assist you with these purchases. Lancets and test strips can cost you $200 to $300 a month if you don’t have a health insurance. If you do, you may be able to slash off at least 50% of their cost.
If you’re an employee, take advantage of the medical insurance coverage that is provided by your company. If not, consider applying for a medical coverage from a private insurance company. Use the internet to do your search and to compare different insurance companies and the policies they offer.
Diabetes is a Manageable Condition
Despite the costs involved, it’s a relief to know that diabetes can be controlled. Although it is a chronic and lifetime condition, it isn’t a helpless situation. Are there ways for you to cut down your costs? Some people choose to give up their medication and to take alternative medicines instead. However, it is important to consult your doctor before making any changes in your medications.
A healthy diet, sufficient exercise and closely monitoring your blood sugar are three essential steps in managing diabetes. Making sure that your blood sugar level is in the right range would also mean less cost for you. Remember, keeping your diabetes in control is the best way to live with this condition and at the same time, avoid unnecessary costs.
