Health Care Reform and Diabetes

While there may be future changes in the Health Reform Act passed in March 2010, as it stands now, there are a number of provisions that will help the 24 million diabetics in the United States. It is still unclear exactly how the law will affect the coverage of lifestyle products such as shoes for diabetics, but the truth is that diabetics will be better access to health care and reduce their vulnerability as a whole. From November 2010, the following is a quick reference list of some of the major changes affecting medical coverage and treatment of diabetes.

The bill has new coverage options for people with pre-existing conditions. Diabetics have long felt the sting of the insurance company "preexisting conditions" exemptions. Health care reform banning of discrimination against pre-existing conditions in both adults and children.

Insurers will be prohibited from leaving the people after they get sick. This includes having been diagnosed with diabetes Insurers will be prohibited from issuing annual limits and the duration of benefits.

Insurers will be prohibited from increasing medical costs based on gender or health status.

Young Adults with diabetes may stay in the parents' insurance until the age of 26 years.

The bill available "preventive care" coverage, which will be beneficial for the 57 million Americans who are considered pre-diabetic.

For older adults with diabetes, a new cap on drug costs out of pocket will help them avoid the infamous Medicare "donut hole" (i.e., the gap between the Medicare drug benefit and pay the full cost medication.)

The bill includes a Program National Diabetes Prevention to assist community programs aimed at risk behaviors and other contributing factors such as access to food. According to the American Diabetes Association, the pilot for diabetes risk reduction by 58% in communities that were carried out in

The bill also creates a control at national, state statistics Diabetes Report to track problems related to diabetes. This program requires that the Institute of Medicine and the Department of Health to work on education initiatives in diabetes care.

Note: This information is not intended to supplement or replace the advice of a doctor or health insurance. For more information on how diabetics can benefit from the upcoming health reform, please visit the American Diabetes Association.