I was having breakfast the other day with a friend who is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He was worried about his father, a financial services professional, who happens to have diabetes. They were both upset because his father could not buy life insurance…

For people living with diabetes, maintaining optimal blood glucose control takes knowledge, dedication, support — and money. According to a study published in the December 2008 issue of the journal Diabetes Care, people recently diagnosed with diabetes spend, on average, $4,174 more each year on medical costs than people who don’t have diabetes — a gap that increases substantially each year following the initial diagnosis…

No matter how long you’ve had diabetes, managing your self-care can be a difficult balancing act: With a meticulous approach toward controlling your blood glucose level, you risk episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose); but relax a little too much, and your level can shoot through the roof…

Coping with painful neuropathy and caring for her aging mother had taken over Julie’s life. She would cook, clean, and provide care until pain and fatigue stopped her. As soon as she felt a little better, she would start in again: shopping, doing…

If you are age 65 or older, chances are you are enrolled in Medicare. This public program is the largest health insurance provider in the United States, with more than 45 million beneficiaries. For most, eligibility is based on age, but people who have disabilities that prevent them from working or who have another qualifying condition such as end-stage kidney disease are also eligible for coverage…

No insurance company is eager to insure the health of people with diabetes. In fact, they do so only when forced by competition or political dictate. Whenever possible, insurance companies attach restrictive diabetes riders, exclusions, and waiting…