Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of absolute or relative insulin deficiency and resistance. It is characterized by linear disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. Insulin transports glucose into the cells for use as energy and storage as glycogen. It also stimulates protein synthesis and free fatty acid storage in the adipose tissues. Insulin deficiency compromises the body tissues access to essential nutrients for fuel and storage. It is a progressive disease leading to many complications and what is worst is once you are diagnosed with the condition finding an insurance company to cover you seems like trying to find water in a dessert.

Insuring a Diabetic Patient is Difficult

Diabetic patients applying for health insurance in the individual private healthcare market usually encounter many financial obstacles to afford adequate coverage and in most cases are prevented from obtaining a policy altogether if he or she has not met stringent requirements mandated by HIPPA. Recent legislation has enacted mandates to provide assistance for applicants applying for health insurance with certain preexisting conditions including diabetes but most of these laws will not have any positive impact for a diabetic until the year 2014 and there is still much debate on the issue of reasonable or equitable pricing.

Adverse Selection

Health insurance companies are incorporated as profit driven enterprises as such the concerns they have insuring diabetic patients gravitate around the concept of economic feasibility. Two acute metabolic complications of diabetes are ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma potentially costing an insurer thousands of dollars immediately after placement or inception of a new policy. These life threatening conditions require immediate medical intervention and can happen without warning to a diabetic patient at any given time. Patients with diabetes mellitus also have a higher risk for various chronic illnesses affecting virtually all body systems. The most common chronic complications include cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, diabetic dermopathy, and peripheral autonomic neuropathy. All these co-morbid conditions have a propensity to reach expenditures over triple digits costing a fortune to the administrator of a proposed plan. Nearly two thirds of persons with diabetes die because of cardiovascular disease. It is also the leading cause of renal failure and new adult blindness.

What Can a Person with Diabetes do to Get Health Insurance?

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes and do not meet specific HIPAA requirements there are solutions. If a diabetic is disabled, blind, aged over 65, and on a limited income or financial resources our health insurance agency can help you find a qualified caseworker to help you apply for state assistance. Next, contact the pharmaceutical manufacturing company that provides the Insulin, Lancets, and test strips. Each pharmacy program has their own criterion that needs to be satisfied in order for an individual to qualify for financial assistance. Finally, there are some guaranteed issue plans in the private healthcare market that are custom made specifically for diabetics providing comprehensive coverage and even sponsored by The American Diabetes Association.

Author Bio: Carlos Diez is a senior benefits consultant for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that refers consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants and needs. He holds life, health, and annuity licenses in 48 states and is appointed with over 88 carriers.. Get a no obligation free quote with a discounted reduced rate today.

Category: Finances
Keywords: health insurance,affordable health insurance,medical health insurance,family health insurance