Diabetes management is expensive. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the average cost of health care for a person with diabetes is $16,752 a year—more than twice the cost of health care for a person without diabetes. 1
Many people who have diabetes need help paying for their care. You can find help through private or government health insurance, local programs, patient support groups, and medicine-assistance programs. You can also find ways to save money on diabetes medicines and supplies.
Health insurance helps pay for medical care, including the cost of diabetes care. Your health insurance options are
Under current law, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition”—that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.
Changes to insurance rules happen often and may affect your health insurance choices. Learn more or get help with your health insurance questions through
When choosing a health insurance plan, ask about every service and supply you’ll need to manage your diabetes. Does the plan cover the medicines, supplies, and devices that you are using, and, if not, what are the alternatives? What does the plan pay? How much will you need to pay out of pocket? Consider
Ask for a Summary of Benefits and Coverage, which explains the plan in plain language, including free preventive services. This summary may include a coverage example for managing diabetes.
Insurance companies sell private health insurance plans. Two types of private health insurance are
You may be eligible for some important preventative services at no additional cost to you. These services can help find and treat health problems early. For example, adults who are overweight or who have obesity or high blood pressure may be able to get diabetes screening tests at no out-of-pocket cost. Adults and children may be able to get obesity screening and weight-management counseling at no out-of-pocket cost.
A federal law called COBRA allows you to stay on your employer’s health plan for 18 to 36 months after leaving a job. You’ll pay both your own monthly premiums and the employer’s portion, so your cost is likely to be higher than before.
Learn more about COBRA online or call the U.S. Department of Labor at 1–866–4–USA–DOL (1–866–487–2365).
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays health care costs for eligible people who are
Medicare has four parts:
Other Medicare health plans are available with special rules or for specific groups of people. Medicare offers more information online. These alternate health plans include
Learn more about benefits, rules, and coverage details at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare Part B and Part D cover many diabetes services and supplies. You may first need to pay a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. Some services are free if your doctor orders them.
Medicare Part B helps pay for
Medicare Part D helps pay for
Check your own plan to learn exactly what is covered. Each plan, especially Medicare Advantage Plans, may offer different coverage for diabetes care. Read more about Medicare’s diabetes coverage rules (PDF, 671 KB) online or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare pays for many diabetes supplies and drugs under Part B and Part D, which is the optional, extra coverage for medicines.
Medigap plans help pay costs that are not covered by Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. You can buy a Medigap policy from a licensed insurance company in your home state. Learn more online about Medigap rules, benefits, deadlines, and premiums.
The following federal programs can provide more resources for people with diabetes
The Social Security Administration can provide financial help through two programs
Read more about both SSDI and SSI and how to apply at ssa.gov or by calling 1–800–772–1213, TTY: 1–800–325–0778.
WIC serves mothers and children who are at risk for poor nutrition or hunger. This includes low-income women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently had a baby, as well as infants and children up to age 5. Pregnant women who have gestational diabetes may qualify for help through the WIC program. WIC provides
Learn more about WIC online, or call the WIC’s headquarters at 703-305-2062.
Medicaid is a health insurance program funded by the Federal Government and state governments for people with low incomes and few assets. Each state runs its own program based on federal rules. Some states cover more services than federal rules require. Many states expanded Medicaid in recent years to cover more people, including low-income adults without dependent children.
Find out whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state, or apply for coverage through
Learn more at Medicaid.gov or call 1-877-267-2323 (TTY: 1-866-226-1819).
CHIP offers free or low-cost Medicaid to children whose parents earn too much for Medicaid but not enough to pay for a private health plan. In some states, CHIP may also cover pregnant women and parents. Learn whether your family members qualify for CHIP through HealthCare.gov or your state’s Medicaid or CHIP agency.
Learn more about CHIP at www.insurekidsnow.gov or call 1–877–543–7669.
Medicare Savings Programs in certain states may pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance if a person has a low income and few assets. Learn more online.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) give advice about health insurance in every state to people who have Medicare. SHIP counselors can help you choose the best plan for your needs. Find a SHIP counselor at ShiptaCenter.org or call 1-877-839-2675.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs help pay for prescription medicines in certain states. Learn what programs are available in your state.
Local health departments and clinics can help people with diabetes find medical care at little or no cost. Search for help near you at FindaHealthCenter.hrsa.gov, or call 1-877-464-4772; TTY: 1-877-897-991.
Charitable groups in your community may offer financial help for diabetes care
Don’t hesitate to speak up and talk with your health care team if you have trouble paying for your diabetes medicines and supplies. Ask if there are generic versions of the medicines you need for managing diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Generic medicines are cheaper than brand-name medicines.
Even when generic versions of medicines aren’t available, there may be different, less expensive medicines available to treat diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol. If you can’t afford a medicine, ask your team if you can switch to a different, less expensive medicine.
Your team may suggest other ways to help you save money, such as using free samples of glucose test strips or other supplies or contacting local programs that may provide financial support.
Talk with your health care team if you have trouble paying for your diabetes medicines and supplies.
Drug discount programs may help you find the medicines you need for free or a lower cost. Try these resources
Websites can make it easier to find the exact medicine or supply you need at the lowest cost. Look for reputable websites that sell the same high-quality medicines as your local pharmacy.
Providers strongly advise against skipping doses of medicine or leaving some prescriptions unfilled to save money.
People who have had an amputation may get help paying for rehabilitation and a prosthesis.
Organizations that may help include
Kidney failure may be a complication of diabetes. People of any age with kidney failure can get Medicare if they meet certain criteria. Learn more about Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure.
College students who have diabetes-related disabilities may face both the costs of tuition and medical expenses. These expenses may include special equipment and health costs not covered by insurance. Special equipment and support services may be available at your college, through community organizations, your state vocational rehabilitation agency, or specific disability organizations.
The HEATH Resource Center offers information about financial aid and other types of support for college students with disabilities.
College students with diabetes may qualify for financial help with tuition and medical expenses.
Assistive technology is any device that assists or helps someone with a disability function more safely, effectively, and independently at home, at work, and in the community. Assistive technology may include
The following organizations offer information, awareness, resources, and training in assistive technology
Some terms listed here have many meanings; only those meanings that relate to the financial and medical aspects of diabetes and its management and treatment are included.
coinsurance: an amount a person may still need to pay after a deductible for health care. The amount is most often a percentage, such as 20 percent.
copay (or copayment): an amount a person may have to pay for health care. A copay is often a set fee. A person might pay $10 or $20 for a health care provider’s visit or prescription.
deductible: an amount a person must pay for health care or prescriptions before the health plan(s) will pay.
network: a group of health care providers that gives members a discount. Some plans pay for health care and prescriptions only if received from a network provider.
out of network: health care providers who are not in a plan’s network. In some health plans, health care and prescriptions cost more if received from these providers.
pre-existing condition: a health problem a person had before the date that new health coverage starts.
premium: an amount a person must pay periodically—monthly or quarterly—for Medicare, other health plan, or drug plan coverage.
[1] American Diabetes Association. Economic costs of diabetes in the U.S. in 2017. Diabetes Care. 2018;41(5):917–928.
Last Reviewed June 2019 Share this page Print Facebook X Email More Options WhatsApp LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Copy LinkThis content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
The NIDDK would like to thank:
William H. Herman, M.D., M.P.H., University of Michigan
