couple more questions

psilocybin · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 06:38 AM

ive heard that it is hard for diebetics to get insurance is this true? if not do your rates go up ?

all of you that have the pump,, i heard it was worth $8000 is this true? wish i could be on the pump. no need to give yourself needles or check your bs

duck · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 06:49 AM

Dude, you always have to check your blood sugars, pump or no pump--As a matter of fact, since I have been pumping I check my blood sugars 6-10 times a day average. You'll be a better person for checking more often. If you don't want to have fingertips that look like they went through a meat-grinder, get a meter that allows you to use your forearms for testing (I use the Freestyle by Therasense)--I am so much more willing to test now that I don't have to use my fingers, which are probably the most sensitive part of the body (well...you know what I mean).

It is harder to get life insurance, yes. You're young, do what you can now. I have noted that on life-insurance forms once they realize I am diabetic, they tend to ask things like what was your last A1c and do you have blood sugar readings above 200? So you know what they are looking for...

Cinnabon · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 06:49 AM

As for the insurance, it is easier to get it through employment. I may be wrong, but I dont think that they have an option to either accept you or not, once you are hired.

As for the pump, I have switched from 4-5 shots about 8 months. You only get 1 prick every 3 days and you have test, maybe even more than before. The freedom and flexibility is PRICELESS!!!

The cost for a pump runs anywhere from $5000-7000. The supplies are an additional cost.

Aftiel · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 07:27 AM

I have always had medical and life insurance through work - so it has never been an issue.

The pump is something my endo is directing me towards, and it sounds like it is the way to go.

- Aftiel

kgm0612 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 07:39 AM

I've had life insurance since I was 20, long before being dx'd with diabetes. I'm 43 now. I am also covered through my employer........they never asked any medical questions when I filled out the paperwork.

I started pumping in Decemebr. I chose to go with the Mini Med 515 pump. The cost was $6200 plus the cost of a 3-month supply of infusion sets & reservoirs, which was $900 and change. I have United Healthcare, and fortunately for me, they paid 100%.

Karen

psilocybin · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 08:34 AM

what about auto insurance?

sbuff28@charter · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 09:45 AM

As long as you check you Blood sugar, driving and diabetes are unrelated as far as im concerned, I'm pretty sure you dont have to even mention it, I havn't.

Erin · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 10:19 AM

Different countries have different rules insofar as diabetes connects with driving... but at least here you don't have to tell your insurance company that you're diabetic. If you go and have an accident while hypo your insurance company is gonna find out, and your rates are going to go up, so don't do that. (that is actually one of the more minor reasons not to do that, the major one being, you don't want to end up dead!) Ask your doctor, or you could try the Canadian Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.ca/ they'd probably be able to give you info about laws etc. in your area.

And yeah, you're still gonna have to test no matter what insulin delivery system you use. Anyone who tells you different is selling something.

duck · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psilocybin

what about auto insurance?

My car isurance has never asked...I don't think it's a big deal here in the USA, and even if it is, I am under control and am religious about checking before I drive (I have this issue with any kind of impaired person driving, be it from any kind of drug, alcohol or disease, so...).