The Real Cost of Managing Type 1 Diabetes
Alison was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011. She first administered her insulin using multiple daily injections (MDI), as the cost of private health insurance to cover an insulin pump was initially out of reach. “I really wanted to try an insulin pump, but my husband and I just couldn’t afford it at the time,” Alison recalls.
Now in a more financially stable position, Alison feels privileged to be able to afford private health insurance and uses an Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system to manage her glucose levels. But with three young children, the decision places financial strain on the family.
“Using an insulin pump and CGM gives me greater flexibility and more stable glucose levels, but the cost of health insurance means we have less money to spend on other things,” she explains.
Private health insurance and insulin pump consumables cost Alison approximately $3,400 per year. This is on top of other goods and services essential to manage diabetes – including doctor and specialist appointments, medication, backup blood glucose monitoring strips, and ketone monitoring strips.
“Diabetes is an expensive condition to manage, and I am fortunate to have a choice in how I manage it. But it’s not fair on people who can’t afford the technology they want. Everyone with type 1 diabetes should have the choice of managing their condition in a way that works best for them.”
Alison’s experience highlights a serious gap in health policy. In Australia, access to life-changing diabetes technology is still mostly determined by who can afford it, rather than clinical need.
Studies show that technologies like insulin pumps improve health outcomes, and while they have the potential to reduce diabetes related health complications, they remain unaffordable for many people. It’s not only the cost of the devices but also the reliance on private health insurance.
This is where parliamentarians can make a tangible difference.
Greater public subsidy of diabetes technologies would reduce long-term health system costs, prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, and ensure equitable access for families who are already managing significant financial and emotional load.
“No Australian should have to trade household stability for safe diabetes care,” Alison says.
Alison’s story is not unique. it reflects the reality of many Aussie families living with all types of diabetes.
More needs to be done to ensure diabetes technology is accessible, affordable and based on health needs, not household income.
Campaigning for change
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Jo Walsh
Digital Communications Lead
Jo is an experienced digital communications professional with 20 years of experience in the digital space. With a strong technical foundation in social media strategy and website development, she brings both creativity and precision to her work.
Jo is also a passionate advocate for peer support, drawing on her lived experience with type 1 diabetes wishing to highlight the importance of connection within communities.
