Private health insurance for diabetes treatment

Symptoms that could be the result of diabetes include:^1,2,3,4

• Being very thirsty or hungry
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss (type 1) or weight gain (type 2)
• Urinating more than usual
• Cuts heal slowly
• Itchiness in skin or skin infections
• Blurred vision.

Keep in mind that diabetes doesn’t always have symptoms, particularly in the pre-diabetes stages. Symptoms can also be misattributed to something else.

Certain factors can increase your risk of diabetes including:^1,3,4

• Family history.
• If you’re from a certain ethnic or cultural background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Pacific Islanders, those with a Chinese cultural background and people from the Indian subcontinent (for type 2 diabetes).
• Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

The cause of diabetes varies depending on the type of diabetes you have.^1,2 There are several types, each with different causes. The main types of diabetes are:

• Type 1 diabetes: An auto-immune condition where your body’s immune system attacks cells that create insulin.³ Type 1 diabetes isn’t a result of diet or lifestyle choices and the exact cause of the condition is unknown.
• Type 2 diabetes: Happens slowly over time and is a result of your body becoming more resistant to insulin.⁴ This makes it more difficult for your body to manage glucose levels, leading to diabetes. Family history, ethnicity or cultural background, poor diet, lack of physical activity or being obese can all contribute to type 2 diabetes.^1,3,4
• Gestational diabetes: Can happen during pregnancy and is typically detected during routine screenings for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28.⁵

There are various treatments and health services available for diabetes care. While each patient and case differs, health professionals and diabetes educators can help you minimise or stop diabetes complications. Some key diabetes treatments and healthcare steps include:^1,2,6

• Insulin injections: All people with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections, whereas it can vary with patients who have type 2 diabetes.
• Insulin pumps: These are an electronic device designed for insulin delivery that provide an alternative to multiple daily injections.
• Blood monitoring: This helps keep track of your glucose levels, ensuring they’re within your target range. There is a range of blood monitoring devices and equipment available. Your doctor can help recommend the best option for you.
• Lifestyle changes: Dietitians can help you create an eating plan to suit your health needs and advise on exercise, diet and lifestyle changes that can help to manage diabetes.

The Australian Government has an initiative called the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS), designed to help Australians with diabetes care. The initiative aims to help people with diabetes understand their condition and assist them with the necessary support. It can also help subsidise necessary products, including:⁷

• Insulin pump consumables
• Syringes and needles
• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products
• Urine test strips.

Eligible people can register with the NDSS for free through their website. Requirements for eligibility can also be found on the site.

Private health insurance policies will have waiting periods you’ll need to serve before you can make a claim. This is especially true if you’re upgrading your policy or taking out health insurance for the first time. The standard waiting time for hospital cover is two months. Pre-existing conditions (medical conditions that existed at any time during the six months prior to taking out the policy) will typically require a 12-month waiting period before you can make a claim.