An Insurance Plan – Just for Diabetes

The insurance company UnitedHealthcare (United) is starting a new health care plan to help people better manage diabetes and control employers' increasing insurance costs. Their approach sounds promising to us. The plan will provide special benefits to those with diabetes and pre-diabetes who work to improve their disease management by completing regular blood glucose testing, routine exams, preventive screenings, and wellness coaching. The benefits range from supplies and medication at no charge to lower co-pays for related physician visits. Participants can access online monitoring and educational tools for free and may save up to $500 per year overall on expected diabetes expenses. Self-insured commercial health plan customers can enroll in the plan, and employers will have the option of offering it as a stand-alone or enhancement plan. We looked closely at the plan, and we believe that for many people, there’s a good chance of improving the condition of your health and your wallet at the same time. If you have United health insurance through your employer, ask them about this plan. For more information, you can see UnitedHealthcare’s fact sheet at UnitedHealthcare’s fact sheet.