Qualifying for a low income subsidy such as Medicaid or Extra Help while having Diabetes can qualify you for a great Medicare Advantage plan that gives you significantly more benefits than those without Extra Help and a Chronic condition such as Diabetes.

How can Chronic Condition Plans for Low Income have more Benefits than Regular Medicare Advantage Plans?

With Extra Help the Federal Government is paying the lion’s share of your prescription drug costs as well as part of your Medicare Advantage Plan premium. Therefore the money your Medicare Plan provider receives for your enrollment can be spent on more Extra Benefits like Dental, Vision, and Over the Counter Catalog benefits. The average Medicare Advantage plan has 3 parts; Medical, Prescription, and Extra Benefits such a as vision and dental. The charts below are an example of where a regular MA Plan would invest in benefits vs where a plan catering to those with Extra Help and a Chronic condition such as Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure would.

What if I no longer take Oral Medication or insulin for my Diabetes?

Doesn’t matter, you are still considered Diabetic even if now you only control your condition with diet and exercise. The questions your insurance agent will ask you are:

Have you Ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes (too much sugar in your blood or urine)?

Have you ever been prescribed or are you taking insulin or an oral medication for diabetes treatment?