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  • Activity
    • 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      In July, I went on the only Medicare plan in my area that covered Afrezza. For 2024, no one is covering it. Like others, hate these formulary decisions by the Insurance providers.
    • 4 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Schush! I know it's supposed to be 4 but since my Endo follows my Dex and I hit an A1c of 5.4 with 0 Hypos I'm happy. Just lost my wife and will be moving further from my Endo and hope TeleVisits will do as I will also start visiting a Gerontologist.
    • 5 hours, 25 minutes ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 5 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I answered NO for 2023 but in 2024 I will have to switch from Humalog to Novolog.
    • 5 hours, 58 minutes ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Four, because Medicare. I was fine going 2x/yr for decades before that. But Medicare doesn't care what your Dr thinks. Rules is rules.
    • 7 hours, 7 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      With Medicare's change to the cost of insulin, my Part D plan dropped Novolog. $35 "limit" only works if insurers have your medication on their formulary.
    • 7 hours, 20 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 7 hours, 20 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Lispro, aspart, and glulisine are also FDA-approved for pump use (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695255/). These are the generic versions of Humalog, Novolog and Apidra, respectively.
    • 7 hours, 37 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      This past year my doctor appts were my new social life!
    • 7 hours, 37 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Schush! I know it's supposed to be 4 but since my Endo follows my Dex and I hit an A1c of 5.4 with 0 Hypos I'm happy. Just lost my wife and will be moving further from my Endo and hope TeleVisits will do as I will also start visiting a Gerontologist.
    • 8 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Four, because Medicare. I was fine going 2x/yr for decades before that. But Medicare doesn't care what your Dr thinks. Rules is rules.
    • 9 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      @George Lovelace. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} to you, sir. Are you getting support after the loss of your wife? I do hope so.
    • 10 hours, 4 minutes ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      I am required to see my Endo every three months by Medicare. Otherwise, I'd probably go 2 times per year.
    • 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 1 hour ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I didn't have to change but I couldn't get a new one from Caremark because it wasn't on the formulary. I used an AARP pharmacy card and got a $44 Rx for $18. Like Bob, I hate formulary!
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Long-acting insulin changed from basaglar to lantus for the upcoming year. Not a big deal since she moved to a pump this past year.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I have to change my insurance company now for 2024 so that i can continue to afford humalog. (or I have to switch to Lyumjev if I keep my current plan) I was startled to see that on my current plan, humalog would cost 16,000 next year (for the full year). Everyone, check your plans!
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 10 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
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    Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D?

    Home > LC Polls > Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D?
    Previous

    Has a stranger ever approached you to talk about your visible diabetes device(s)?

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    If you have gone swimming while using an insulin pump that has to be disconnected while you are in the water, how do you manage your insulin while swimming?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

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    45 Comments

    1. Karen Newe

      I lucked out. Got life insurance just 6 months before diagnoses at 51 yo.

      3
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    2. Donna Condi

      I purchased my life insurance before coming down with diabetes however, I tried getting long term care insurance and was turned down flat!

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    3. Melissa Yuruckso

      They would only insure me till I’m 78. My non diabetic husband is insured for a longer life!

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    4. Karen Taylor

      Many many years ago. After that I’ve had life insurance up until I retired through work. No longer have life insurance

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    5. GLORIA MILLER

      I had life insurance before retiring. Any time I tried to get my own life insurance I was turned down due to the diabetes.

      3
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    6. kilupx

      I got LADA 7 years ago. About 12 years ago my husband and I tried to buy life insurance policies. We had to get physical exams. He was rejected because of minor health issues so we got a much bigger policy for me. Five years later I never reported my T1D diagnosis to the insurance broker (a friend) because we are afraid the policy would be cancelled.

      4
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    7. Lynn Smith

      I only had life insurance once outside of employment and I believe I paid a higher premium due to my diabetes.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    8. Brian Vodehnal

      Not trouble but I didn’t know my life insurance is higher than my wife’s.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    9. Sherolyn Newell

      I already had both life insurance and long term care. It hadn’t occurred to me that I should tell them I’m diabetic now.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    10. Jerome McClellan

      No, other than paying 3X what my nonT1D wife pays.

      2
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
      1. Dave Akers

        Same here!

        1
        1 year ago Log in to Reply
    11. Tb-well

      I can get it, but it is cost prohibitive for any coverage over about 300,000.00, since my premiums triple with the physical

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
      1. Keira Thurheimer

        Once I found a company willing yo insure me,, the cost was so prohibitive that I couldn’t afford the policy. I have life insurance through work, so hope that will be enough.

        1
        1 year ago Log in to Reply
    12. karolinamalecki7@gmail.com

      I got life insurance before being diagnosed with type 1

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    13. Kristine O'Brien

      I wasn’t able to get life insurance outside of work in my 40s, having been diabetic for >30 years.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    14. Dave Akers

      This was a major pain but necessary for the time being. Took me a long time to find someone. To cover me. When I did, the cost was OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE!!! compared to my wife w/o T1; I received about 2/3 coverage than she, but it cost me 3x the premium! This was absolutely absurd!!!!

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    15. George Lovelace

      Set it up in a Profit Sharing Plan I managed at my work. Low coverage at a reasonable Premium for a 36 year old.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    16. Edward Geary

      Routinely denied since diagnosis in 1974. Companies gradually came around but rates and limitations were prohibitive. Relied largely on employee sponsored group life which rose exponentially after retirement. I think there are good risk models in Canada which, for years, has had progressive public policy relative to diabetes coverage, treatment and discrimination.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    17. Carol Meares

      I have LADA and had life insurance prior to getting T1D

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    18. Becky Hertz

      When gotten through an employer, no. I haven’t tried individually because I know the costs are, or have been, prohibitive.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    19. Teri Morris

      I couldn’t get insurance for my home that I paid Royal Homes to build because I am diabetic. If it burns down I will have nowhere to live and no money!

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
      1. AnitaS

        That is unbelievable. What does diabetes have to do with your house burning down?

        2
        1 year ago Log in to Reply
      2. KarenM6

        Jiminy Christmas, Teri! I’m so sorry… that seems like a very discriminatory policy… and not a logic I can follow. I’m so sorry!

        1 year ago Log in to Reply
    20. Janis Senungetuk

      When I was 23 yrs old, after the birth of our daughter, I was told I was uninsurable because of T1D.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    21. Ahh Life

      Somewhere there is a camel trying to get through the eye of a needle in order to get to heaven. Ha! Her task is trivial compared to the many eyes of many needles (metaphor, not steel) that T1 diabetics must navigate every single day and every single hour.

      Insurance is another one of those eyes. And it’s tiny and expensive. Companies and corporations know the actuarial math and cost numbers perfectly. All we dollar-bill paying customers know is that our wallets are several pounds lighter when we are done dealing them. Can’t the US of A do better than this? ( ͡❛ ⏏ ͡❛)

      2
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    22. Bruce Schnitzler

      I was only able to obtain life insurance in 1978 through an employer’s plan. I have maintained the policy after retirement in 2013.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    23. Bob Durstenfeld

      I could never buy life insurance on the open market, it was always refused. My work around was to roll over corporate life insurance when I left a job. This allowed me to eventually purchase whole life and term policies. From this lesson learned, when each of my children were born, I bought them single premium whole life policies. This paid off for my oldest, he was Dxed at 8 months old with T1D.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    24. lis be

      I’ve never even thought to try, i just assumed they wouldn’t give it to me.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    25. AnitaS

      I don’t honestly remember if I had life insurance while I worked, but I don’t believe so. After retirement, I didn’t get life insurance because I am single and have no children.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    26. AnitaS

      With new technology which makes it possible for diabetics to live a longer, healthier life than a non-diabetic, it seems wrong to deny insurance.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    27. Lawrence S.

      I applied years ago, 1970’s or 1980’s. Was given a much higher rate, so I did not purchase the plan. Was able to get insurance through my employer at a good rate. I don’t carry any live insurance now that I’m retired.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    28. Mark Schweim

      The ONLY way I’ve been able to get any life insurance since my T1D diagnosis has been through my employers, but their life insurance is only valid as long as I remain employed by that employer so it’s basically a gamble of “Take the company offered life insurance and hope I die before quitting or losing my job, or go without life insurance and hope for employment elsewhere with life insurance benefits sometime before I die.

      But then again, since I’m still single, if I die without life insurance, who besides the State or Federal Government would be covering my funeral expenses since I am the ONLY person with any financial responsibility towards any of my expenses???

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lawrence S.

        I hope you outlive your need to use life insurance.

        1 year ago Log in to Reply
    29. Derek West

      My premium was maybe 10% higher on a mortgage protection policy. I also relied on employer policies which cost nothing to me. Since I now am retired and have no dependents I no longer need it.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    30. Kristine Warmecke

      My parent’s had bought life insurance for me, before my diagnose. I had the option, at certain times, to increase it which I did without any questions asked.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    31. Molly Jones

      I chose other. My husband purchased both of us life insurance policies through his workplace. Mine is less than ten percent of his but requires no medical information.
      If I was not married and desired life insurance, I don’t think it would be possible with the list of medical conditions I have along with T1D.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    32. KarenM6

      When I’ve tried to get life insurance, I just get turned down flat.

      1
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    33. Liz Avery

      I have not tried to get life insurance, however term life through my employer was available without medical review. I carried a term policy almost always prior to retirement.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    34. Britni

      My employers have offered it as a benefit, no medical review needed. I’ve never tried to purchase it on my own.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    35. Janice B

      I was denied insurance at the small company that I work for. Luckily even though my husband ids on disability we kept up his carpenters card and insurance so I was able to get on that plan

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    36. PamK

      I have been able to get Life Insurance through each employer I’ve worked for, but only the basic plan. I have tried to get more coverage from a couple of different employers and was turned down due to having diabetes. I’ve also looked into getting more at other employers, but they always ask that I answer “a few” health questions and I know they will decline me the additional coverage if I do so. So, I don’t bother anymore.

      2
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    37. Cheryl Seibert

      T1D for 56 years. Even at 30 yrs T1D, so companies will sell me insurance on a private policy. I obtained convertable policies through my employer optional benefits. That way I can take them with me if I change jobs. The fact that insurance companies still see diabetes as a disease worse than cancer is absolutely ridiculous.

      2
      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    38. Maurine Bowser

      I had maybe one 12 month waiting period but after that I could always get it but at bookoo bucks. Highest $1900/mo with huge deductible. On Medicare now but supplemental premiums rise every year.

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    39. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      I had no problems over 35 years ago when I started working for the Federal Government, I did ask around for a supplemental plan and was told “No Joy”!

      1 year ago Log in to Reply
    40. Missy Kirchem

      Was denied long term care insurance

      1 year ago Log in to Reply

    Have you had any issues obtaining life insurance because of T1D? Cancel reply

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