It is no secret that diabetes is expensive. Between insulin, doctors appointments, and other supplies such as CGMs and glucometers, this disease that 11.6% of the American population had been diagnosed with in 2021 has become unaffordable.1 Furthermore, insurance companies are not covering all necessary items for diabetics. For starters, Bara Vaida, a writer for GoodRX states, “Even with health insurance, a person living with diabetes might pay $4,000 out of pocket a year for over-the-counter (OTC) medical supplies.”2 The article also describes how CGMs, or Continuous Glucose Monitors, cost around $400 per month without full coverage insurance. This disease has always harmed those diagnosed, but now with inflation, low insurance coverage, and ever-increasing diagnosis percentages, it is also emptying the wallets of patients and their families.

In the past decade, there has been significant advancement in our knowledge and treatment of T1D (Type 1 Diabetes), with new models of Glucose Meters and CGM’s invented.3 However, with all of the pieces of technology being introduced, a hefty price tag comes with each. The newest and most efficient model of a Dexcom Glucose Meter, the Dexcom G7, cost about $572 for a three pack—keep in mind that this amounts to about $6,800 for one year.4  The most mainstream version of the Omnipod CGM costs on average $408.10 per box of 10.5  One uses on average 120 pods per year, so this would mean that one would spend $4897.2 per year on CGMs, and when combined with the average cost per year of a Dexcom G7, one could spend $11,697 per year just on these two essential items, enough money to buy a quality used car.9 

These high prices stop many people from purchasing the insulin and supplies they need, and this can be extremely dangerous. When one doesn’t have insulin or a monitor, your blood sugar can drop too low or spike too high (the ideal range is roughly 70-110). 6  When this happens, common symptoms include passing out, blurry vision, and dehydration. In severe cases, one can go into a diabetic coma.7  The increasing price of insulin is not only driving those diagnosed into poverty, but putting their lives at risk. An urban clinic at Yale found that 1 in 4 patients with T1D ration insulin.8  This means that out of the 2 million Americans with this disease, 500,000 put their lives at risk due to unaffordability of insulin. 

Insulin prices are rising, and so are the costs of other diabetic supplies. These amounts are not only making type 1 diabetics lose money, but actually harming them. Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that over 2 million American adults and children are diagnosed with, but yet insurance companies are doing the opposite of helping. Out of pocket payments increase and more people are beginning to ration insulin, some fatally. Something must be done. These fees must stop increasing in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Type 1 Diabetics.

 

                                                   Works Cited:

1. American Diabetes Association. “Statistics about Diabetes.” Diabetes.org, American Diabetes Association, 2 Nov. 2023, diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

2. “Gathering Evidence on Insulin Rationing: Answers and Future Questions.” AJMC, www.ajmc.com/view/gathering-evidence-on-insulin-rationing-answers-and-future-questions.

3. “If Your Blood Glucose Is Too High or Too Low - | Lahey Hospital & Medical Center.” Www.lahey.org, www.lahey.org/news-stories/all-news-stories/stories/2019/03/if-your-blood-glucose-is-too-high-or-too-low.

4. Lutgen, Janelle. “Opinion: My Son’s Death Was Preventable. There Are so Many More like Him.” CNN, 16 Aug. 2022, www.cnn.com/2022/08/16/opinions/insulin-pricing-inflation-reduction-act-lutgen.

5. “Omnipod 5 2025 Prices, Coupons & Savings Tips - GoodRx.” Goodrx.com, 2025, www.goodrx.com/omnipod-5?srsltid=AfmBOop8chIjx27XwI65HAbDaFrsxCOwPrz64YvTUsYWGdmiO0ErGhSw. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

6. Right Care. “High Insulin Costs Are Killing Americans.” Right Care Alliance, 2019, rightcarealliance.org/activities/insulin/. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

7. Sable-Smith, Bram. “Insulin’s High Cost Leads to Lethal Rationing.” Npr.org, 1 Sept. 2018, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/01/641615877/insulins-high-cost-leads-to-lethal-rationing. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

8. Zimmerman, Chelsea, et al. “Advances in Type 1 Diabetes Technology over the Last Decade.” European Endocrinology, vol. 15, no. 2, 16 Aug. 2019, p. 70, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6785958/, https://doi.org/10.17925/ee.2019.15.2.70.

9. Social Security Administration. “National Average Wage Index.” Www.ssa.gov, 2023, www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.