Health Insurance Articles
How Medical Insurance Rates Can Be Modified For Diabetic Sufferers
2011-04-20
When purchasing medical insurance, diabetes sufferers face being a greater risk for insurance companies due to a pre-existing health condition, and they also face higher insurance costs due to their illness. The maintenance of their illness is stressful enough, especially when the illness can lead to other conditions. Searching for adequate medical insurance with this pre-existing condition only adds to the challenges diabetics already face, but medical insurance for those who suffer from diabetes need not have astronomical premiums, or be out of limits because of this illness. There are ways diabetes sufferers can modify medical insurance rates to suit their needs and budget.
The first thing diabetes sufferers can do to keep their medical insurance rates lower is to diligently monitor their condition and keep it under control. Diabetics should visit their doctor regularly, and follow the treatment plan their doctor devises for them with the utmost care. If diagnosed with diabetes, a person with this illness should take all prescribed medications. Doctors treating diabetics will often prescribe a diet designed to manage the condition, as well as a regular exercise program of at least thirty minutes of activity per day. Diabetes sufferers should eat healthy and stay active, as this minimizes their risk factor for medical insurance plans.
A life insurance company considering a diabetic for medical insurance will closely examine their hemoglobin's A1C count, which should be around six or seven for a diabetic to qualify for regular insurance rates. If a diabetic's A1C count rises to 10, they will pay much higher insurance rates, as their risk factor greatly increases. Once their A1C count rises above 12, it is unlikely a diabetic will be able to qualify for coverage. In addition to their A1C count, an insurance company will want to monitor the diabetic's blood-sugar levels, which, if too high on a regular basis, could result in denial of coverage, or higher premiums.
Diabetes sufferers should monitor their weight, as obesity is another factor that will determine if they are approved for coverage or if their premiums will be high. Even if a diabetic has their condition under control, if they are overweight, they will likely face higher premiums, as obesity makes them a higher risk factor.
Medical insurance need not be unattainable for diabetes sufferers, as long as they work with their doctor to maintain their condition, and supply their insurers with regular reports on the maintenance of their pre-existing condition. While rates still might be higher than those of a healthy person, a diabetic can keep their rates lower with healthy habits that keep their weight, A1C levels and blood-sugar in a reasonable range.
