Originally published July 30 2005
Insulin pump not covered for many diabetics
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
An insulin pump -- a device that can save the loss of limbs in severe diabetics -- is not covered under many insurance plans.
SEVERE diabetes sufferers are being denied health insurance for a device that could prevent blindness and loss of limbs.
More than 60 people nationwide have reported being denied funding for an insulin pump by insurer MBF, including pregnant women, teenagers and children as young as seven, with the figure of unreported cases likely to be much higher.
In an extraordinary loophole in the Health Act, some insurers will not say whether they will cover the cost of the surgery until the day of admission.
The insulin pump acts as an artificial pancreas, enabling type 1 diabetics to regulate their blood sugar levels more accurately than by the traditional finger prick tests and regular insulin injections.
The breakthrough technology is particularly important for expectant mothers, whose erratic blood glucose can affect the fetus, and young people, to help avoid long-term complications including blindness and loss of limbs.
The National Health Act lists the pump as a schedule five prosthesis, which in theory should be fitted to patients admitted to hospital.
But a sub-clause, known as the Part C exclusion, lists the device as one that could possibly be fitted in an outpatient setting, such as a diabetes clinic, if necessary.
Doctors can insist that the patient needs to stay at the hospital, but need to fill out a declaration to that effect once the patient has been admitted.
A Health Department circular has been issued, warning health insurers not to get in the way of doctor's opinions.
"Quite often a person needs a pump and the doctor will say this person needs to be admitted because their diabetes is so unstable," he said.
"But their advice will be disregarded and they might still get knocked back for funding."
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml