# My insurance company wants me to get diabetes **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 9, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314 "2010-02-09T19:20:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/1 "2010-02-09T19:20:26Z")
Okay, no, they really probably don’t. But, I’ve been diagnosed with heel spurs. Nice big ones. In both feet. Throughout the day the pain ranges from “somewhat uncomfortable” to “extremely painful” depending on how much I’ve been standing and what footwear I’m wearing. My foot doctor recommended some stiff orthotic shoe inserts, which would provide support and stability for my feet. This should reduce the pain and prevent the spurs from getting worse. Without insurance, these will cost me $350-$400 dollars. _With_ insurance, they will cost me … the same. Because my insurance company has informed me that they only cover orthotics if they are to treat complications related to diabetes, or are part of a leg brace. Now, I’ve been fighting my genetics to _avoid_ diabetes, but if it’s the only way to be able to stand for any length of time without pain… They will, however, (probably) cover surgery. So they won’t pay $400 for shoe inserts but they will pay thousands of dollars for surgery, crutches, etc. Doesn’t make much sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/2 "2010-02-09T19:26:09Z")
Why do you feel that your insurance coverage should pay for whatever you don’t want to? Just pay for the orthotic devices out of your pocket, and not make stupid arguments about getting diabetes so that they are covered or having an uneccesary surgery that will be covered. It’s only $350. For you to switch to an insurer that would cover such things would cost you more than that in premiums. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/3 "2010-02-09T19:32:48Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Why do you feel that your insurance coverage should pay for whatever you don’t want to? The OP seems to be highlight the disconnect that the insurers will not contribute for something that could easily prevent a surgery that would cost ten times that. Plus, is lamenting the fact that most benefits packages (at least that I’ve ever heard of) does cover a portion of orthodics when there is a doctor’s prescription, and therefore, the OP’s insurer kind of sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/4 "2010-02-09T19:32:48Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Why do you feel that your insurance coverage should pay for whatever you don’t want to? The way I see it, this is the stupid part: > [@Skammer](#): > > They will, however, (probably) cover surgery. So they won’t pay $400 for shoe inserts but they will pay thousands of dollars for surgery, crutches, etc. Doesn’t make much sense to me. It’s like insurers (fortunately not mine) that won’t cover birth control, but will cover maternity costs and insurance on a kid for 18 years. Guess which is cheaper? ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/5 "2010-02-09T19:43:22Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Why do you feel that your insurance coverage should pay for whatever you don’t want to? I’m guessing because it’s his _medical_ insurance that’s refusing to pay for _medical_ equipment to help treat a _medical_ condition. Perhaps I’m just being too literal-minded. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/6 "2010-02-09T20:02:02Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’m guessing because it’s his _medical_ insurance that’s refusing to pay for _medical_ equipment to help treat a _medical_ condition. **Perhaps I’m just being too literal-minded**. Well I guess if anything _medical_ was covered under _medical_ insurance, life would definitely be simpler, but typical insurance premiums would cost multiples of what they do today. Alot of people I encounter that complain about their coverage, live under the impression that their medical insurance is a ticket past the gate to the magic medical money tree that’s ever replinishing. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/7 "2010-02-09T20:04:24Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > most benefits packages (at least that I’ve ever heard of) does cover a portion of orthodics when there is a doctor’s prescription, and therefore, the OP’s insurer kind of sucks. Considering we don’t know what the total costs of his insurance, it might be a hell of a deal. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/8 "2010-02-09T20:22:15Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > … > > They will, however, (probably) cover surgery. So they won’t pay $400 for shoe inserts but they will pay thousands of dollars for surgery, crutches, etc. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Well, that’s sort of silly! I had something analogous happen 25ish years back. Sesamoiditis - which could be treated by steroid injections into the spot (did not respond at all to oral anti-inflammatories), or a more permanent cure would be orthotics. But the orthotics weren’t covered. I wound up appealing - and getting the orthotics partially covered. I explained to them they could keep paying for a doctor’s appointment / injection every few month, or cover the orthotics. They asked for medical records and doctor comments, and wound up approving the orthotics. Of course, this was subject to my deductible so only a fraction of the cost was covered. But it got me away from having to have shots (or continuing to walk in pain). ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/9 "2010-02-09T20:40:52Z")
I had a similar thing a few years ago. I’d asked my doc for a wellbutrin script to help me quit smoking. Insurance company came back and said they’d only cover it for psych issues. The doc’s response: You idiots will pay for his lung cancer treatments but not for something to help him quit smoking so he doesn’t get lung cancer?! That’s $120, vs. $500,000. Aren’t you guys supposed to be good at math or something? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/10 "2010-02-09T21:06:42Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Why do you feel that your insurance coverage should pay for whatever you don’t want to? > > Just pay for the orthotic devices out of your pocket, and not make stupid arguments about getting diabetes so that they are covered or having an uneccesary surgery that will be covered. It’s only $350. For you to switch to an insurer that would cover such things would cost you more than that in premiums. I don’t think this is a frivilous claim. It’s not “routine foot care” which, rightly, is not covered by my plan. This is more like “durable medical equipment” that 1) would improve my quality of life (allowing me to stand and walk without pain) and 2) avoid surgery with its associated costs and risks. Yes, I think it would be nice (and make sense business-wise) for my insurance company to cover it. > [@Wheelz](#): > > I’m guessing because it’s his _medical_ insurance that’s refusing to pay for _medical_ equipment to help treat a _medical_ condition. Perhaps I’m just being too literal-minded. Right; if I wanted to pay medical expenses out of my pocket, I wouldn’t bother with insurance, would I? I should also disclose that I work in the benefits department of a Fortune 500 company. I’m familiar with the issues of healthcare. I just think this particular exclusion kind of stinks because it provides negative motivation: I can save several hundred dollars by getting diabetes or surgery instead of treating my condition before it gets worse. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/11 "2010-02-09T21:15:23Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I can save several hundred dollars by getting diabetes or surgery instead of treating my condition before it gets worse. Since you put it this way, by all means, please contract diabetes or have a surgical procedure done to save yourself a few hundred dollars. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/12 "2010-02-09T21:19:23Z")
Thanks, I’m actually leaning towards the surgery. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/13 "2010-02-09T21:19:45Z")
**Skammer** , I know you’ve probably already been through this with your doctor and everything, but why not just get the surgery? Your insurance company will pay for it, and you’ll get to choose footwear for style rather than pain relief. Win/win. And you’ll be directly addressing the problem rather than merely cushioning it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/14 "2010-02-09T21:20:46Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Thanks, I’m actually leaning towards the surgery. Oops, simulpost. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/15 "2010-02-09T21:21:44Z")
> [@FallenAngel](#): > > I had a similar thing a few years ago. I’d asked my doc for a wellbutrin script to help me quit smoking. Insurance company came back and said they’d only cover it for psych issues. The doc’s response: You idiots will pay for his lung cancer treatments but not for something to help him quit smoking so he doesn’t get lung cancer?! That’s $120, vs. $500,000. Aren’t you guys supposed to be good at math or something? In theory, they are very good at math. If they deny 500 wellbutrin scrips and only one of the denied actually gets a tobacco-related illness, they’re ahead. And someone at the insurance company is responsible for calculating these odds. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/16 "2010-02-09T21:48:44Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Thanks, I’m actually leaning towards the surgery. How much is your deductible? Is it fully met already for this plan year? Do you have % co-pay’s for the surgeon, hospital, etc., etc.? Need to check all of that out before you make the decision. Those types of items could run you some serious $$$. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/17 "2010-02-09T21:54:57Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > How much is your deductible? Is it fully met already for this plan year? Do you have % co-pay’s for the surgeon, hospital, etc., etc.? Need to check all of that out before you make the decision. Those types of items could run you some serious $$$. I’ve met the deductible, but you’re right I need to calculate my co-pay and take into account I will actually need two separate operations done six weeks apart. I think it’s outpatient but there will still be costs that will probably exceed the cost of orthotics. But it’s also a more permanent solution. ---
**Author:** ![AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/18 "2010-02-11T08:04:52Z")
Oh GAWD… That’s like my parent’s insurance which wouldn’t pay for hearing aids (VERY EXPENSIVE) but would pay for a hit and miss (some people throw away their hearing aids but the results are very mixed) canalplasty surgery. (surgery to create an ear canal that wasn’t there in the first place) ---
**Author:** ![Not\_a\_Platypus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Not\_a\_Platypus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_a_Platypus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/19 "2010-02-11T10:18:26Z")
I haven’t figured out why diabetes-related expenses are frequently covered so much more than other issues. Like my current insurance plan doesn’t cover durable medical equipment at all, unless it’s for diabetes. I don’t understand the logic, and it’s frustrating having to pay full price for supplies that I NEED every month for a disorder that severely fucks with my life and health if I don’t treat. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314/20 "2010-02-11T12:48:20Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Well I guess if anything _medical_ was covered under _medical_ insurance, life would definitely be simpler, but typical insurance premiums would cost multiples of what they do today. > > Alot of people I encounter that complain about their coverage, live under the impression that their medical insurance is a ticket past the gate to the magic medical money tree that’s ever replinishing. :rolleyes: I just tried to have this discussion with someone else on the board just a week or so ago. The issue is not “insurance should pay for whatever I want it to.” The issue is “seemingly arbitrary things that aren’t covered, while alternative treatments that most definitely _cost the insurance company more_ are covered.” Why will they pay for surgery, but not for orthotics? On the face of it it’s ridiculous both from a patient care perspective and a cost-savings perspective. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-insurance-company-wants-me-to-get-diabetes/528314.md?page=2)