Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that can affect both physical and mental well-being. For people living with diabetes, the disease can also be costly to manage.

According to 2022 data, medical care for each person with diabetes averaged around $20,000 a year.¹ If you have diabetes, you’re likely paying some of these costs out of your own pocket, and that can put a big strain on your budget. But there may be some ways to better manage costs associated with diabetes care.

Common and Costly Diabetes Expenses

There are a variety of treatment expenses associated with diabetes. Here are three of the most common and costly.  

1. Blood Sugar Management

Most likely, the medications and supplies needed for managing blood sugar levels are one of the biggest expenses. These could include:

• Insulin
• Finger-stick devices called lancets
• Test strips
• Glucose-measuring devices called glucometers
• Insulin pumps
• Syringes and needles

2. Related Conditions

Unfortunately, diabetes makes you more likely to experience other health issues,² such as:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease

Diabetics can also require extra care for foot and vision issues, and diabetes can take a toll on your mental health.³ Treating all of these related conditions often requires additional doctor visits, tests and medications.

3. Provider Visits and Routine Tests

Diabetics must also undergo various routine lab tests to help doctors monitor how treatments are working. These lab tests include:

• HbA1C, which shows average glucose levels over a period of a few months
• Kidney function
• Cholesterol levels
• And more

While these treatments and tests may be non-negotiable, you may be able to find ways to curb their costs. One important way is to choose a health insurance plan that covers your medications, supplies, testing and management of diabetes-related conditions.

A health plan’s formulary details the specific medications and supplies it covers. Before choosing a plan, try to review the formulary to verify that your prescribed drugs and needed supplies are covered.

Strategy 1: Shop Smart for Supplies

Over the course of a year, the supplies needed for blood sugar management can really add up. But these supplies are critical to your health, so this is not a place to cut corners. However, you may be able to shop smarter to save.

For example, some testing supplies may be more affordable if you buy in larger quantities. While the initial price will be more, the price per item may be less. Compare prices and buy the package that has the lowest cost per item.

Another possible way to save over the long term is a continuous glucose monitoring device – so you don’t have to buy lancets and test strips. You’ll need to discuss this option with your healthcare provider and check if your health insurance plan will cover it.

Strategy 2: Prevent Complications of Related Conditions

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes-related complications accounted for nearly half of total diabetic healthcare expenses in the United States.⁴ Some common complications include conditions commonly related to diabetes, such as kidney disease, congestive heart failure and stroke.

The CDC reports that managing related conditions can help reduce complications and costs. Diabetics may be able to: ⁵

• Reduce the risk of kidney, eye and nerve disease by 40% by effectively managing blood sugar levels
• Lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by anywhere from 33% to 50% through effectively managing blood pressure
• Reduce kidney function declines by as much as 37% by managing kidney health, mostly using medicines that lower blood pressure
• Lower heart-related complications by 20% to 50% by effectively managing cholesterol levels
• Prevent nearly all diabetes-related blindness with regular exams and treatment
• Prevent 85% of amputations related to diabetes by properly managing foot health

If you can avoid complications, you are likely to significantly cut your out-of-pocket diabetes treatment costs.

Strategy 3: Find the Right Health Insurance Plan for Diabetes Coverage

Choosing health insurance plans, whether through an employer or through the Health Insurance Marketplace, can be hard. But if you have a complex medical condition such as diabetes, you may want to focus on plans that pay more toward your care when you need it.

You may even be able to find health insurance plans tailored especially for diabetics. These plans may offer better coverage for your diabetes-related treatment expenses.

You may be able to get a free glucometer and pay as little as $0 for:

• Select insulins
• Select medications used to manage diabetes and diabetes-related concerns, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mental health
• Diabetic supplies, including lancets, test strips, glucometers, insulin syringes and pen needles
• Diabetic-related labs, such as HbA1c, glucose, kidney function, and albumin and microalbumin tests
• Annual retinal eye exams
• Routine foot care

Although the premium, or monthly cost, of a diabetes-specific plan may be a little higher, keep in mind that such plans may save you money in the long run.

At Ambetter Health we’re finding ways to help diabetics lower costs and better manage their health with plans tailored especially for diabetes needs. Browse our affordable marketplace plans to see if plans are available in your state, or call us at 844-933-0380 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET to learn more.

Questions About Strategies for Managing Diabetes Treatment Expenses