Why Do I Need Travel Insurance If I’m Diabetic
If you are diabetic, then youll understand that planning is everything. You have to prepare for travel, too, and that means getting the right travel insurance policy. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the right travel insurance means that you will stay protected and you will be able to get any medication and help if you need it.
Travel insurance for people with diabetes should cover the cost of cancelling your holiday if you have to, as well as the expense of getting emergency help when youre abroad.
Options For Individuals Under 26 Years Old
If you are under the age of 26 years old, you may have more healthcare insurance options than you think. For healthy individuals, opting for the catastrophic plan or sticking with your parents plan as a dependent may be the best choice. However, being an individual with diabetes, you are very likely to need regular doctor checkups, diabetes medications, and various diabetes supplies and equipment. Although you may choose to stick with your parents plan, your spending may eat into their quota. This can create a problem if your parents also have certain health issues that require regular treatments and care. So what can you do?
Option 1: If you are currently a university student, you can actually purchase a fully insured student health plan from your university. These health plans are classified as Affordable Care Act approved health insurance coverage. So that means you do not have to pay for the tax penalty. But before you choose this option, make sure that the plan will cover your diabetes-related treatment, medications, supplies, and equipment.
Option 2: If you are a university student and you decide to opt out of the university student health plan, you can choose to purchase a plan through the Marketplace platform. In this case, you are eligible for receiving the premium tax credit, co-sharing benefits, and even discount in your plan premium. You may also be eligible to receive low cost or free coverage health care benefits from your state Medicaid program.
The European Health Insurance Card
The EHIC allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area countries and Switzerland.
There are restrictions on the cover provided via the EHIC and as a result, is not a comprehensive alternative to travel insurance. EHIC is not valid on European cruises, does not cover private healthcare, costs such as mountain rescue, being repatriated back to the UK, and stolen property.
Full details of the cover provided by the EHIC can be found on the EHIC website.
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Diabetes UK may use a proportion of funds received from AllClear for developing and marketing our relationship with AllClear and the services they offer to our supporters.
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Health Insurance For Type 2 Diabetics
To sum it up
- Under the Affordable Care Act regulations, most insurance plans cannot deny you coverage for a pre-existing condition such as Type 2 diabetes
- Insurance plans also have to cover preventive and wellness services such as chronic disease management and diabetes screenings
- Most insurance companies will cover medically necessary diabetes medications and insulin injections
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body has difficulty processing insulin effectively. To compensate for this insulin resistance, your pancreas produces more insulin to convert into glucose for your cells. However, the glucose tends to build up in your body causing health problems. Those who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes can cause medical issues if it is left untreated. Those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes run a greater risk of being diagnosed with kidney disease, heart disease, nerve damage, or suffering from a stroke.
Ok So Maybe I Do Need It How Can I Get It
There are many different ways to buy health insurance, and the costs and benefits vary widely for each one. You’ll need to see which options are available to you, given your health needs, age, and job status. You’ll probably have to wade through a lot of health care buzzwords, too.
Here are some ways you might get insurance:
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How Should I Prepare For My Trip
- Carry a GPs letter and diabetes ID ensure it states the medication you need and what you are carrying
- Take double the amount of medical supplies
- Research where you can pick up insulin on your trip
- Remember that your insulin and blood glucose monitor may be affected in hot or cold climates
- Take your European Health Insurance Card ** or apply for a free Global Health Insurance Card
- And dont forget travel insurance!
**After Brexit, and the UK officially left the EU with a deal in place, things have changed. You wont be able to apply for an EHIC anymore, but, if you have one already, issued before the end of 2020, then itll still be valid until the expiry date.
However, the UK government has introduced a replacement called the Global Health Insurance Card . If you dont have an EHIC, or once yours expires, you can apply for a GHIC here, and it should arrive within 10 days. The GHIC will offer the same cover as the EHIC did in EU countries.
Best For Complicated Medical History: Prudential
Prudential
Prudential has found its place as our top pick for diabetics who have a complicated medical history due to its flexibility with hard-to-insure customers, including former smokers who are typically excluded from diabetic life insurance policies.
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Covers both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
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No minimum age of diagnosis prescribed for Type 2
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Option to update your information online
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Option to file claims online
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Maximum coverage of $500,000 for no-exam policies
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Slower turnaround time for applicants with some policies
While many insurance companies see diabetes as a life insurance disqualifier, Prudential takes the time to understand your complicated medical history in order to create a policy that will cover you, making them our best choice for diabetics with other chronic conditions.
Prudentials popularity is not only because of its flexibility but also because of its history and reputation as a trusted insurance company in the U.S. It was founded in 1875 and currently has high ratings from three top agencies, including an A+ rating from AM Best.
If you want to get no-exam term life insurance for diabetics, the maximum coverage you would be able to get is $500,000. In addition to this, you would have to fill out a diabetes questionnaire so their underwriters can get a more accurate assessment of your current health state. Keep in mind that lying on this questionnaire may result in your coverage being canceled.
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Our Core Private Health Insurance Cover
Personal Health, our private health insurance plan provides covers for the things that matter to you. As standard, we cover a wide range of treatment, including cancer, CT or MRI scans if you need to spend time in hospital on specialist referral. You can then choose to add levels of cover to suit your needs. If you’d like to be covered for diagnostics and specialist consultations you’ll need to take out our out-patient option. We do not cover out-patient drugs.
With our heart and cancer cover and care, youll be covered for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Youll also have access to a dedicated nurse helpline to help with healthcare concerns about the condition, treatment and care options. You can talk to us any time, day or night, so youll never have to find your way on your own.
The 4 Categories Of Coverage In Marketplace
To make the selection easier, all marketplace plans are separated into four different categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These classes are not classified by the quality of care but by your monthly premium and deductible for receiving care. In general, bronze plans have a low premium rate but a high deductible cost. On the other end of the spectrum, platinum plans have a high premium rate but a low deductible cost.
Once you select a category, the Marketplace will show you a list of plans from various insurance providers. Depending on where you live, the availability of providers and plans may vary. Amongst all the companies, you are most likely to come across national chain brands such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United, Cigna, Humana, and Kaiser.
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Insurance/assurance For Loans And Life
Ask your mortgage advisor at the outset if their insurance products are available for people living with diabetes. Allow yourself plenty of time to investigate options, bearing in mind an application for life assurance can take from six to eight weeks to be processed. Apply for cover well in advance of when you need it to be in place. This will avoid a lot of last minute frustration and inconvenience, especially if the insurance is needed for a mortgage.
Is My Diabetes Covered By Health Insurance
Healthnet Services can provide quotations over the phone in a matter of minutes, all they would require is to confirm some very basic information. Quotes can be obtained individually, with a partner or on a family basis.
If you would like any further information or a quote please call one of Healthnets specialist advisors on 0800 999 2969 or complete the enquiry form for an advisor to call you back at a time convenient for yourself.
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Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Part C is often referred to as Medicare Advantage Plan or MA Plans. These approved Medicare Advantage plans are provided by private insurance providers that have contracts with the government. These plans must provide members with all the services of both Part A and Part B Medicare. However, these plans are not all the same as some limit members to receive service from specific health care providers or hospitals and others require members to retrieve a referral from a primary care professional before they are allowed to see a specialist. At the same time, the premium and copayments for these plans all differ vary from plan to plan.
Similar to regular health insurance, there are 4 types of Medicare Advantage Plans are available:
- HMOs
- Private fee for service plans
- Special needs plans
Best Overall: Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a national association of locally-based companies. This means that your care is coordinated locally, but you have the resources of a national organization. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers online tools to manage your care and an extensive network of providers.
You can choose your doctor based on who best manages your care instead of settling for whoevers in your network. Blue Cross Blue Shield also works with Civica, a new nonprofit generic drug and pharmaceutical company, to give you access to lower prescription prices.
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What If I Cannot Afford Insurance
Being employed does not mean that you can afford health insurance. Although your employer may offer affordable health care coverage, if the plan costs more than 9.5% of your income or does not cover at least 60% of your covered benefits cost, you should look for a better plan on the Health Care Marketplace. In many cases, you will be able to get a better plan at a lower cost with more coverage and deductions. In cases where your income qualifies as low-income standards, you will be eligible for purchasing a plan at discounted rate or even qualify for Medicaid.
In addition, if you are unemployed or disabled, you should apply through the Marketplace as well. The system will immediately alert of the most suitable eligible government programs for your needs.
In both cases, whether you are employed or not, you should never skip the Marketplace application process thinking that you will not be able to afford health care coverage. It is here to provide you with options and solutions. Being an American, you have every right to receive these basic needs. Unlike Marketplace plans, you can enroll in government-funded programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, or Tricare any time of the year. If you qualify for the program, your coverage begins immediately.
Private Healthcare And Diabetes
Insurance companies are wary of long term health conditions, which can be expensive particularly in the long run.
The health insurance companies instead prefer to cover short term treatments broken bones being one such example.
Whether your private health insurance is part of your employer benefits or a self-funded option, check the terms of the insurance:
- First check whether pre-existing conditions are eligible as often they may not be covered.
- Secondly check whether conditions closely related to diabetes, such as heart or kidney trouble, have been excluded as this is also a common practice.
- Thirdly , see if the company has imposed a non-claiming period, this can be up to a few years, to prevent people joining who are closely in need of making a claim for treatment.
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How Much Does Short Term Health Insurance Cost
If youre considering temporary health insurance, typical upfront costs include:
- Premium: This is the monthly fee you pay for having coverage. The premium will vary depending on the level of coverage you choose, including deductible and coinsurance, as well as the types of services covered.
- Deductible: The deductibles on short-term health plans can be significantly higher than other more traditional health plans. You pay out of pocket for services until you meet your deductible. Then your plan starts sharing costs.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of costs you share with your plan after you meet your deductible. Its often shown as a percentage. Most short term plans have a deductible and coinsurance.
- Copay: This is a fee you may have to pay when you visit a doctor usually payable at the time of the visit. Some short term plans require you to pay a copay for certain doctor visits.
- Other out-of-pocket costs: If there are health care services not covered by your short term plan, you could end up paying all costs. For example, some short term plans may not cover or may limit your coverage for maternity care, mental health or substance use services, vision care, or dental carethese are costs youd have to pay yourself for any services you receive.
Other costs may apply depending on what type of coverage you buy. Read all plan information carefully before choosing so you are informed on what your plan may actually cost you.
Keep These Short Term Insurance Reminders In Your Long
With short term health insurance you are not buying an ACA health plan. That means you need to keep a few things in mind as you plan your coverage needs:
- ACA health plans are guaranteed issue, meaning you cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions
- Short term insurance plans are not guaranteed issue, do not cover preexisting conditions, and you must answer a series of medical questions to apply for coverage
- ACA health plans are required to cover 10 essential health benefits, including maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse disorder services
- Short term insurance plans do not have coverage requirements, so plans vary in what they cover. Check your plan details carefully
So, its true that you may save money by choosing short term health insurance. Just be sure you know what you are buying, and that its a good choice for you. For the right situation, short term insurance plans can definitely provide fast, flexible, temporary health insurance coverage that fits your needs.
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No Medical Exam Life Insurance Plans
The best no medical exam life insurance for diabetics can be a great option for getting life insurance protection that your family deserves, but there are several advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of when youre looking to get life insurance.
With a no medical exam life insurance policy for diabetics, anyone can purchase one of these plans, regardless of your health or pre-existing conditions. Everyone deserves to have quality life insurance, and your diabetes shouldnt keep you from getting it. Thats where these no exam plans come in.
Some Of The Tips For Diabetes Patients To Be Healthy
Check your foot daily: The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers study shows that the keeping good watch over your feet can show the start of many communicable diseases. A high blood glucose level can cause nerve damage in the feet and you may not be feeling injury, cut or scrape on the skin which can be a start of the skin infection. Drink a lot of water or apply lotion which can keep the skin on the feet and rest of the body from becoming dry and cracked.
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Insurance For Diabetes Type 1 And Travel Advice
If you travel with type 1 diabetes, then its a good idea to do a bit of homework before you travel. Take a letter from your doctor that explains your condition and spells out clearly the type of medication you need to take with you useful for when you need to get through security at the airport. You should also research the area youre heading to and find out if theres an English-speaking doctor there.