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Cost of Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes has three types. Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the body's immune system, mistakenly, attacks the pancreas. Type 2, or adult onset diabetes, is a result of the pancreas being exhausted causing it not to produce enough insulin, or the result of cells rejecting the insulin instead of absorbing it. Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy. The hormones from pregnancy causes the body to resist insulin causing high blood glucose. The cost for treating any of these types is very high.

  1. Insulin

    • For type 1 diabetics, the most common treatment is insulin injection. Gestational diabetics who are unable to manage their diabetes by controlling their diet are also prescribed insulin injections. Insulin can be injected either with a syringe or an "insulin pen". Many diabetics use both a long-acting insulin and a fast-acting insulin. Long-acting insulin is injected once every day at the same time. The fast-acting insulin is taken every time the diabetic eats, or needs to correct a high blood glucose reading. Both long- and fast-acting insulin costs about $110 per vial. A box of 100 syringes costs $25. While administering an injection, an alcohol swab should be used to sanitize the area. A box of 100 alcohol swabs costs about $2. These costs are out of pocket expense. If an individual has health insurance, the cost will differ according to the terms of that insurance's coverage.

    Glucometers

    • All diabetics need to check their blood glucose level multiple times a day. Blood glucose levels are obtained using a glucometer, which come in many different brands and styles allowing diabetics to personalize their equipment. Glucometers require a test strip, and a lancet to test the blood for glucose. Besides the initial supply included with the glucometer, strips and lancets are sold separately. The cost of glucometers ranges from $14 to $70. The cost of a box of 100 test strips ranges from $60 to $100. A box of lancets costs about $8.

    Insulin Pump and Pump Supplies

    • More and more diabetics are giving up injections for insulin pumps. An insulin pump is a device pumps insulin into the body 24 hours a day. The pump only used with fast-acting insulin. An endocrinologist will aid a diabetic in programing the correct basal and bolus rates. A basal rate is the rate of insulin pumping into the body at all times throughout the day. These are typically very small doses to create the same effect that the long-acting insulin had by injection. A bolus rate is the amount of insulin designated to cover for food, or blood glucose correction. Many supplies accompany an insulin pump including insulin cartridges, insulin sites, alcohol swabs, IV prep pads and transparent dressings. The initial cost of an insulin pump is around $6,000. It costs about $1,000 per month to have enough of the required supplies on hand. These are out of pocket prices. Individuals with health insurance would have to pay according to the coverage their insurance's policy.

    Diabetic Aids

    • In addition to insulin, glucometers, injections or a pump, diabetics need to have some other products on hand. Glucose tablets, sprays and gels are designed to bring low glucose (hyperglycemia) back to a normal level. These products range from $3 to $5. Ketostix measure the level of ketones in urine. These are used when a diabetic has severely high blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Ketostix cost about $16 for a box of 100 sticks. A Glucagon Kit is an emergency kit used to elevate extreme hyperglycemia. The cost of a glucagon kit is about $100. Many insurance providers cover glucagon kits and ketostix. Glucose products are out of pocket and over the counter.

    Oral Medications

    • Type 2 diabetics, in advanced cases, may need to use type 1 diabetes treatments. Many type 2 diabetics can control their diabetes with diet and sometimes oral medications. Some medicines, called Sulfonylureas, stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. Other medications, called biguanides, make the liver produce less glucose. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are medications that slow the digestion of foods with high amounts of carbohydrates. Thiazolidinediones magnify the body's sensitivity to insulin. These drugs range in price from $100 to $400 depending their dose. Once again, these are out-of-pocket prices. Many insurance carriers cover these medications.

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