In many countries, diabetics are lucky to have their regular care covered by a national health plan. In the U.S. however, finding insurance after diabetes has been diagnosed may be difficult, because of many common limitations on coverage of “pre-existing conditions” placed by most insurance companies.

However, even if you have a good basic insurance plan that covers the cost of your basic medication and office visits, check and find out what kind of coverage you do or do not have for important ‘accessories’ for diabetics, such as special diabetic shoes and socks, and custom shoe insoles. Proper pedorthic insoles and diabetic footwear can be expensive, and finding ’supplemental insurance’ to cover it (if your regular insurance does not) can be a great financial help in managing your diabetes.Finding insurance that will also cover the cost of special diabetic personal care items may be quite difficult, but prescription skin lotions to help prevent dry, cracked skin and encourage healing of scratches, ulcers and fungal infections can be an important part of diabetes care. If your insurance will cover such items, you may also want to ask if you are covered for other ‘accessory’ items such as self- massage and exercise equipment, to help combat the effects of poor circulation and muscle wasting.

If you cannot obtain coverage for such ‘extra’ items with your primary insurer, you may be able to find supplemental insurance with less restrictive coverages, or even a specialty insurance policy designed for diabetics.

Research your options, if you’re having any financial difficulty with proper management of your diabetes, because the potential costs of improper or inadequate care are much higher than most insurance premiums ever could be.