Free Diabetic Supplies

Diabetes affects 7% of the average population of the United States and over 20% of individuals over age 60.  Those are some pretty high numbers for people living in what is considered to be a highly developed country that has some of the best health care in the world.

One of the issues in some states, however, is that with the high percentage of individuals that have diabetes, there is not enough health care for diabetes, and there is a proposed bill in Ohio to change that.  The bill called the Diabetes Cost Reduction Act (DCRA) is asking Ohio’s state-regulated health insurance plans cover essential diabetes care, particularly education, insulin, blood sugar monitors and other supplies. 

It is important to note that services for diseases such as cancer and heart issues are covered in basic health insurance plans, yet the services and supplies that are critical to keeping diabetes under control and helping individuals with diabetes monitor symptoms and learn as much as possible, are not covered under current policies.

In Ohio alone, during the past 10 years, the number of individuals with diabetes has risen approximately 35%.  This is a huge jump, especially since diabetes research and education has gotten more and more available and more concise.

May employers are worried about adding diabetes coverage to health insurance benefits.  In over 40 states, where employers have been offered the diabetes coverage, no employers have ever made the claim that diabetes coverage has cost them any more in premiums or other related expenses.

Having better and more inclusive insurance for diabetes is a win-win situation for all involved.  When dealing with diabetes, prevention is some of the best medicine.  In addition, there are tremendous cost benefits and savings to  preventing and controlling diabetes, as opposed to ignoring it and allowing it to worsen.

It is important for all states to look at their coverage for diabetes to be certain that they are doing al they can to help individuals battling with the disease and contain costs for everyone while doing so.