Introduction: The Hidden Price of Managing Diabetes

Managing diabetes isn’t just a medical challenge, it’s a financial one. From insulin to glucose monitors, and doctor visits to lifestyle adjustments, the cost of chronic care can add up quickly. For many, affording diabetes treatment means navigating insurance complexity, budgeting essentials, and seeking out cost-saving resources.

This blog provides clear, actionable strategies to help you make smarter financial decisions, covering insurance tips, assistance programs, digital health solutions, and cost-effective tools to reduce the economic burden of diabetes.

Why Diabetes Costs So Much

According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes spend more than twice as much on healthcare as those without the condition. Here's a quick overview:

• Average annual medical costs: $16,750 per person
  
  

• Of that, diabetes-related care: approximately $9,600
  
  

• Insulin prices: increased by over 300% in the past decade
  
  

• CGMs and sensors: often exceed $300 per month without coverage

“Financial stress often becomes a barrier to consistent care. We must treat affordability as part of the care plan.” — Dr. Sumeet Arora, Pediatric Endocrinologist, expert at Heald. 

Where the Costs Come From

5 Smart Ways to Cut Diabetes Costs

1. Review and Maximize Insurance Coverage

Understand your plan’s coverage and make sure to:

• Check formularies for lower-cost drug alternatives
  
  

• Request 90-day supplies to reduce pharmacy trips
  
  

• Ask your provider about prior authorizations before buying new CGMs or insulin pumps

2. Use Tax-Advantaged Accounts (FSA/HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) allow you to pay for:

• Insulin and prescription medications
  
  

• Glucose monitors, test strips, and even diabetes-related apps or digital care programs
  
  

• Nutritional counseling and diabetes education

These tools use pre-tax dollars, helping reduce your taxable income while covering essential expenses.

3. Explore Patient Assistance Resources with HealD

If you’re struggling with the high cost of medications, devices, or ongoing care, it’s important to find a program that offers structured guidance and transparent pricing. HealD’s diabetes care programs are built specifically to reduce the financial and emotional burden of chronic management, without sacrificing quality.

Plans start as low as $50/month and include:

• Continuous glucose insights through compatible CGMs
  
  

• Bi-weekly nutrition and behavioral coaching
  
  

• AI-driven meal plans personalized to your dietary needs
  
  

• Stress and sleep management tools
  
  

• FSA/HSA eligibility for qualified users
  
  

• A mobile app that tracks trends and progress in real time

If you're unsure which plan suits your needs, HealD also offers a free 1-on-1 call with an expert to help you map out your health goals and choose the right level of care—based on both your health and financial priorities.

4. Consider Digital, All-in-One Care Options

Standalone doctor visits, dieticians, and CGM devices can become expensive when managed separately. Today, comprehensive diabetes care platforms offer bundled services—often at lower monthly costs.

Some services combine:

• Glucose tracking via CGM
  
  

• Personalized, adaptive meal plans
  
  

• Sleep and stress monitoring
  
  

• Bi-weekly sessions with certified nutritionists
  
  

• AI-powered habit-building tools

For example, platforms like Heald offer tiered programs starting from $50/month, which can be paid using FSA or HSA funds. This can provide long-term savings while supporting sustainable behavior change and expert monitoring.

5. Use Cost-Saving Tools for Food and Fitness

Managing nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle doesn’t require expensive meal services or gym memberships. With the HealD app, everything you need is in one place, designed specifically to support sustainable diabetes care without adding financial pressure.

The app provides:

• AI-powered meal plans tailored to your dietary preferences, glucose trends, and metabolic needs
  
  

• Guidance on portion control, meal timing, and food sequencing to keep blood sugar levels steady
  
  

• Sleep and stress insights that impact insulin sensitivity
  
  

• Activity tracking and habit-building tools that help integrate movement into your daily routine

With the HealD app, you can build consistent, affordable routines that support better glucose control, all from your phone—at a fraction of the cost of traditional programs.

The app is available on Google Play and App Store

Financial Checklist for Diabetes Management

Stay proactive with this checklist to minimize unexpected costs: