Insurance Guide for Diabetes: Honoring American Diabetes Awareness Month

American Diabetes Month is recognized every November as various organizations and individuals raise awareness about ways to prevent or manage diabetes symptoms and seek to raise funds for diabetes-related research. Fortunately, health insurance covers most types of diabetes treatments, and some plans allow you to obtain insulin with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

Continue reading to learn how to celebrate American Diabetes Month and what you need to know to support loved ones with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

On This Page

• 

  What Is American Diabetes Month?

• 

  American Diabetes Month History

• 

  What You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes

• 

  Tips for People With Diabetes

• 

  How To Celebrate and Support American Diabetes Month

• 

  FAQs

What Is American Diabetes Month?

American Diabetes Month — also known as National Diabetes Month — is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes, encouraging people to take steps to prevent serious health problems related to it and investing in research into symptom management, treatments and potential cures for the disease.

While there are multiple categories of diabetes, the two most common are simply known as Type 1 and Type 2. See below for an overview of the differences between these two types of diabetes:^[1]

1. Type 1: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from making insulin. The onset of Type 1 diabetes is not related to lifestyle habits, and it can affect children from a young age.
2. Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is a hormonal condition that causes your body to build up a resistance to its own insulin. The onset of Type 2 diabetes can be related to lifestyle habits, and it most often does not occur until adulthood. Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of diabetes cases in the United States.

When Is American Diabetes Month?

American Diabetes Awareness Month is commemorated in November each year.^[2] It coincides with World Diabetes Day, observed on Nov. 14. World Diabetes Day was first established by the International Diabetes Federation in conjunction with the World Health Organization in 1991 and was later officially recognized by the United Nations in 2006.^[3]

Why Is American Diabetes Month Important?

National Diabetes Awareness Month is particularly important because of how widespread the disease is throughout the United States. Nearly 40 million Americans have diabetes, accounting for over 10% of the population. In addition, a little less than 100 million Americans are considered prediabetic, meaning they have elevated blood sugar levels.^[2]

These statistics mean that, in total, around 40% of people living in the United States are already diabetic or have a high risk of developing diabetes.

Below, you’ll see an overview of characteristics that may indicate that you have a higher risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes:^[4]

• Being overweight or obese
• Being 35 years old or older
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Being Hispanic or Latino, African American, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander
• Not participating in regular physical activity
• Having prediabetes

American Diabetes Month History

President Ronald Reagan and the United States Senate jointly established the first National Diabetes Month in November 1982. In his proclamation, Reagan noted the potential for diabetes to result in long-term health complications impacting numerous parts of the body, including the blood vessels, nervous system, kidneys and eyes. He also reiterated the commitment of private researchers, universities and government entities to improving the lives of diabetes patients.^[5]

What You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes

If you have a loved one with diabetes, you should consider taking steps like these to support them:^[6]

• Research why and when they need to check their blood sugar, what lifestyle changes they may need to make and where they can turn for more information or help
• Acknowledge that each diabetes patient is unique and may need to follow a specialized treatment plan specific to their circumstances
• Communicate with them about what they expect and need from you
• Take them to appointments with their primary care doctor or specialists
• Help them develop a schedule that includes time for checking their blood sugar, making healthy food, going for walks and taking similar self-care steps
• Avoid blaming them for their diabetes diagnosis
• Be willing to step back if they request it
• Understand that changes in blood sugar levels can lead to sudden mood swings
• Encourage them, and remind them of any progress they’ve made toward improving their condition
• Come alongside them by following the diet and exercise routine prescribed for them
• Keep an eye out for signs of hypoglycemia, such as shakiness, irritability, dizziness, fatigue or blurred vision
• Remember that children and older adults may need more hands-on assistance than younger adults

Tips for People With Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you should follow these tips:^[4]

• Ask your health care provider how you can regulate your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol
• Try to eat healthier, get more exercise, get enough sleep and quit smoking
• Stay on top of your medicine schedule to ensure you take the right dosages of your medications at the right times
• Take steps to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, if applicable
• Speak with a therapist or join a support group, if necessary
• Work with a team of doctors, specialists, dietitians, educators and social workers to plan your treatments and manage your costs

Keep in mind that the management or treatment of diabetes often involves lifestyle changes, such as healthier eating, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Type 1 diabetes treatment also requires insulin injections or insulin pump use, and patients may eventually need an islet cell or pancreas transplant. Meanwhile, Type 2 diabetes patients may need to take oral drugs, and weight-loss surgery may also be an option.^[7]

Health insurance generally covers medically necessary diabetes treatments. For example, UnitedHealthcare’s Health Insurance Marketplace plans cover 100% of the costs for insulin and certain diabetes management services, so you won’t have to pay any copays or coinsurance.^[8] Additionally, Medicare covers insulin and insulin pumps, with your out-of-pocket costs being limited to $35 per insulin product per month with no deductible.^[9]

Your health plan should also provide coverage for diabetes-related hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription medicines, and it may even cover bariatric surgery.

How To Celebrate and Support American Diabetes Month

Schools, health care providers, health departments and similar organizations are encouraged to celebrate American Diabetes Month by posting about it on social media, hosting community events where families can learn about local health resources and adding information about Type 2 diabetes prevention to their websites or newsletters.^[10]

Individuals can help by raising money to support diabetes research and discussing diabetes education with their friends and family.