As a person with diabetes (Type 1), I understand both the personal and financial costs of managing a chronic illness.
The American Diabetes Association, in its annual Standards of Medical Care publication, explains “Diabetes is a complex, chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk-reduction strategies beyond glycemic control. Ongoing diabetes self-management education and support are critical to preventing acute complications and reducing the risk of long-term complications.”
If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is.
A 2019 study by IBM and Medtronic found that those with Type 1 diabetes make hundreds of decisions daily regarding the management of their condition. People living with diabetes are responsible for managing up to 95% of their care themselves.
It’s not much different for those with other chronic health conditions.
Our medical system is not really designed for this type of on-going disease management. Multiple experts in multiple areas are required to successfully manage these complex conditions. That’s why it’s so important to develop your own personal care team, as recommended in the ADA Standards of Care.
I am happy to be a part of that team to help you navigate these complex conditions and mitigate the financial impact they may have on your plan.
