Health Insurance Articles

How To Find Medical Insurance For Diabetic Testing Supplies

2010-11-26

There was a time not too long ago when it was very difficult to get medical insurance companies to cover diabetic supplies. But over the years, insurance companies have been covering more and more diabetic supplies now that 90 percent of Americans think diabetes is as serious a health risk as cancer and HIV/AIDS, according to a recent survey.

As most diabetics know, it is nearly impossible to get coverage for diabetic testing supplies through a private insurer if they are not part of an employer group because diabetes is a pre-existing condition. The good news is that when you do get coverage, most states now mandate that private insurance companies cover diabetics, which could include basic diabetic supplies, such as glucose test meters, syringes, lancets and insulin or oral medication.

There are 46 states that have federal or state laws that force private insurers to offer medical insurance coverage to diabetics. Insurance companies in four states; Idaho, North Dakota, Ohio and Alabama, are not required to offer coverage to diabetics.

Finding medical insurance coverage for diabetic supplies may not be easy, but it's possible. The three conventional ways to get coverage for diabetic testing supplies are: being part of a group insurance policy usually through your job; belonging to a small business organization that offers group coverage; being enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare or in a similar state plan.

Group insurance often covers all diabetic testing supplies and some companies now cover devices such as insulin pumps that can run into the thousands of dollars because they have figured out that if diabetics can maintain their blood sugar in a somewhat normal range, they will have fewer emergencies that require hospitalization, which costs insurers less money in the long run.

There are several large trade organizations that offer group medical plans to their members. In Arizona, for example, a taxpayer-subsidized plan covers small business owners down to one person and does cover diabetic testing supplies. Other states may offer similar group coverage. Usually, the state insurance department will have information on such plans.

Medicaid, Medicare and other state plans that offer what is essentially "government healthcare" cover diabetic testing supplies, and some even cover insulin pumps and other more expensive devices. Of course, qualification can be tricky because you must show need before you are qualified, which is based on income and money available in the state budgets. They are also based on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Keep in mind that there are a number of websites that offer large discounts on diabetic testing supplies that are worth checking if you have to pay out of pocket for some of your supplies in the short run.