If you’ve ever had to pay for COBRA insurance, you know that it is extremely expensive. I’ve had to deal with this a time or two, and to put insult to injury the times you use COBRA are always the ones where you aren’t working and money is tight.
Having the option of using COBRA is great, but the reason it’s so expensive is that you not only pay for your portion, but the portion your employer used to pay as well. Under the new stimulus package signed last month by President Barack Obama, those under COBRA plans may …read more

I’ve mentioned in my blogs that I’m Canadian, but now that I’m writing for the general health channel, I thought I should mention that again for new readers. One thing, that as a Canadian, I have trouble wrapping my mind around is the American system of paying for healthcare. I have many American friends and acquaintances, so I am quite familiar with many of the issues you in the United States face.
So, I began to wonder if it’s possible to find deals for healthcare, much as you would for other services. Imagine my surprise when I start looking for news …read more

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According to a new study, “about one diabetic in three never fills the doctor’s prescription for antidiabetic medication.”
Of course I’m always a bit leery when it comes to studies, but if this one is even remotely true, it’s very upsetting. When a diabetic is first diagnosed that is the best time to take an aggressive approach in an effort to stave off complications.
The study translated this finding into numbers:
“For the estimated 1.5 million newly diagnosed diabetics in the United States each year, unwillingness to fill antihyperglycemic prescriptions is a costly problem. The estimated 35 percent …read more

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Diabetics often deal with one insurance headache after another. (Sad but true.)
But I just found out that United Healthcare is offering a new plan for those who have or are at risk for getting Type 2 diabetes.
According to Smart Brief, “Participants receive health coaching, free diabetes drugs and supplies, and reduced co-pays for doctor visits to help them control their blood sugar levels.”
Now this MAKES SENSE. It always chapped me how insurance companies basically make it more difficult for diabetics to get strips, test blood, and work to prevent complications. …read more

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Here’s a scary thought: With all the lay offs happening these days workers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their health insurance. That’s ESPECIALLY frightening for diabetics.
A survey over at CNN says that in 2007, “researchers found that two-thirds of workers, if they were laid off, would be eligible for COBRA. Data from 2006 data suggest that only 9 percent would opt into the program.”
Since costs are higher now, that problem is probably even more prevalent.
It’s difficult. I know one of my fears has always been that I wouldn’t have health …read more

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Here’s some interesting news. “Diabetic persons spend an average of $11,000 more than persons without diabetes. Preventative programs with a fitness protocol could save the U.S. $20 million on diabetic patients alone.”
Well, that’s true. Much of our costs are in trying to be healthy and maintaining an ideal weight. However, much of the cost diabetics incur is due to things like test strips (so incredibly expensive it’s ridiculous), needles, and of course, insulin. So I’m not sure how much more we’d “save” by losing weight in terms of money.
But, it’s definitely worth …read more

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The fact that diabetes is an expensive disease is not news to the diabetics of the world. Large out of pocket costs are something we struggle with every bit as much as managing our blood sugar.
A new study says that “75 percent of the $2.2 trillion the United States spends on healthcare goes toward treating chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.” Also, the more chronic conditions a person has, the more money is spent. “One chronic condition spent an average $655 out of pocket in 2005, while those with …read more