Will Medical Insurance Coverage Be Far Behind?
Medical News Today recently released an article advising the public that there might be a "genetic explanation" for type 2 diabetes. With this kind of research on the horizon, will those who suffer from the disease finally qualify for decent
medical insurance coverage?
According to the article, "An international team of scientists has found four points on the human gene map that together account for 70 per cent of the genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes." This is tremendous news, since Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. More than 20 million people in America have diabetes, or around 7% of the population. And, at a cost of $132 billion dollars annually - including medical costs and indirect costs like disability, work, premature mortality, etc - diabetes is a costly disease.
But sadly, for a person with diabetes, obtaining and keeping medical insurance coverage can be difficult, if not impossible, to do. A person with diabetes needs access to supplies like test strips, meters and insulin, and since these medications and supplies are usually covered through health insurance policies, those who already have the disease are not usually granted coverage.
There's also a social stigma that exists for those with type 2 diabetes. Usually, though not always, the disease is brought on by being overweight or obese, so many people out there see this form of diabetes as a kind of "punishment," or a self-managed disease that doesn't deserve much attention.
Facts on:
Genetic Link Found For Type 2 Diabetes
Did you know...
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes?
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This couldn't be farther from the truth. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2002, and overall the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of similar age. Diabetes is a killer, and those who suffer from this disease need good medical insurance coverage more than anyone.
Hopefully, this new genetic link will help to ensure that those who suffer from type 2 diabetes receive the
health insurance they need and deserve. Under the care of a physician, and in conjunction with proper treatment, diabetes can be managed and in many cases, even prevented from striking in the first place.
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