The Cost of Diabetes in the United States: What NYC Residents Should Know

Diabetes is one of the most significant chronic health conditions in the United States, affecting millions of people and creating substantial costs for individuals, families, employers, and the healthcare system. For New Yorkers living with diabetes, those costs can include more than doctor visits and prescriptions. Glucose monitoring supplies, insulin, medications, specialist appointments, and the treatment of diabetes-related complications can all add to the financial burden.

Understanding the cost of diabetes in the United States can help people make more informed decisions about their healthcare expenses and the diabetic supplies they use every day.

What Is the Cost of Diabetes in the United States?

The financial impact of diabetes is enormous. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimated that diagnosed diabetes cost the United States $412.9 billion in 2022, including $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in indirect costs such as lost productivity, unemployment related to disability, and premature mortality.

More recent CDC materials use a broader estimate of approximately $640 billion in annual medical costs and lost productivity associated with diagnosed diabetes in 2022. The difference between these figures reflects different methodologies and definitions used to calculate the economic burden.

Regardless of the methodology, the conclusion is clear: diabetes represents a major financial burden in the United States.

The ADA also reports that people with diagnosed diabetes have average medical expenditures approximately 2.6 times higher than would be expected without diabetes.

What Are the Biggest Costs Associated With Diabetes?

Diabetes expenses can come from many different areas, including:

• Prescription medications

• Insulin and injection supplies

• Continuous glucose monitors

• Diabetic test strips

• Insulin pump supplies

• Doctor and specialist appointments

• Laboratory testing

• Emergency treatment and hospitalization

• Treatment for diabetes-related complications

These expenses can accumulate over years, particularly for people who require multiple medications or advanced diabetes technology.

How Much Does Diabetes Cost an Individual?

There is no single price for living with diabetes. Individual costs vary depending on the type of diabetes, insurance coverage, treatment plan, medications, age, and whether complications develop.

Common Diabetes Expenses

For many people, ongoing diabetes expenses may include doctor visits, prescription medications, glucose monitoring equipment, insulin, test strips, lancets, CGM sensors, insulin pump supplies, and laboratory testing.

Insurance can reduce some costs, but deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, formularies, and coverage restrictions can still create substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

For New York City residents, costs can also vary depending on whether care is obtained through private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, employer-sponsored insurance, or another healthcare program.

The Cost of Diabetes Supplies Can Add Up

When people think about diabetes expenses, they often focus on medications and medical appointments. However, diabetes supplies can become a significant recurring expense over time.

Someone using continuous glucose monitoring may regularly need new sensors and related equipment. A person using an insulin pump may require ongoing pods or other supplies. Those who use traditional blood glucose meters may purchase test strips and lancets on a regular basis.

Common Diabetes Products and Supplies

Commonly used products include:

• Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 sensors

• FreeStyle Libre sensors

• Omnipod pods

• OneTouch test strips

• Accu-Chek test strips

• Contour Next test strips

• Glucose meters and related supplies

The amount a patient pays depends on insurance coverage, product choice, eligibility, and whether supplies are covered under a medical or pharmacy benefit.

Why Extra Supplies Can Become a Financial Issue

Changes in prescriptions, insurance plans, treatment strategies, or diabetes technology can leave patients with supplies they no longer use.

Imagine a New York City resident who changes from one CGM system to another. They may have several unopened boxes of sensors remaining that they no longer need.

Those products represent a financial investment, but they can eventually become unusable if they expire.

Diabetes Costs Go Beyond Medical Bills

The economic impact of diabetes extends beyond direct healthcare spending.

The ADA's 2022 analysis attributed $106.3 billion of its estimated $412.9 billion total to indirect costs, including reduced productivity, unemployment associated with disability, and premature mortality.

Diabetes management also requires ongoing time and effort. Prescription refills, appointments, blood glucose monitoring, laboratory testing, and complication management can affect work schedules and family routines.

How Diabetes Can Affect Daily Life and Finances

The financial burden may include both predictable and unexpected expenses. Routine monitoring and medications are recurring costs, while emergency treatment or diabetes-related complications can produce substantially larger expenses.

For this reason, managing diabetes costs involves understanding insurance coverage, planning for recurring supplies, and avoiding unnecessary waste.

Diabetes in New York City

The national statistics have a direct connection to New York City residents.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, approximately 800,000 adults in New York City were living with diabetes in 2022, representing more than 11% of the city's adult population.

This demonstrates why understanding diabetes-related expenses matters at the local level.

For residents across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, diabetes management may involve a combination of medical expenses and recurring supply costs.

How Can People Manage Diabetes Costs?

Managing diabetes costs does not mean reducing necessary medical care. Instead, it means understanding available resources and making informed financial decisions.

Review Your Insurance Benefits

Review your health plan to understand coverage for CGMs, insulin pumps, test strips, medications, specialist appointments, and diabetes education.

Insurance coverage can change, so reviewing your benefits annually can help prevent unexpected expenses.

Ask About Lower-Cost Alternatives

Your healthcare provider or pharmacist may be able to explain whether lower-cost medications, devices, supplies, or treatment options are appropriate for you.

Do not stop or change prescribed treatment solely to save money without discussing it with your healthcare professional.

Avoid Letting Unused Supplies Expire

Store diabetic supplies according to the manufacturer's instructions and check expiration dates regularly.

Depending on the product, its condition, and applicable laws, some specialized buyers purchase qualifying factory-sealed, unopened, and unexpired diabetic supplies.

Before selling supplies, verify that the buyer accepts the specific product and that the transaction complies with applicable requirements.

A New York City Patient With Extra Supplies

A Hypothetical Example

Consider a hypothetical NYC resident who switches from Dexcom to another glucose-monitoring system after a change in treatment.

The resident discovers several unopened boxes of Dexcom sensors that are no longer needed. Instead of allowing them to expire, the resident photographs the boxes, including the product names, quantities, and expiration dates, and contacts a diabetic supply buyer.

The buyer reviews the information and determines whether the products meet its purchasing requirements. If they qualify, the resident can receive a quote and arrange the transaction according to the buyer's procedures.

The important consideration is that medically necessary supplies should never be sold or withheld simply to generate cash. The focus should be on supplies that are genuinely extra and no longer needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Diabetes

How much does diabetes cost the United States each year?

The ADA estimated the cost of diagnosed diabetes at $412.9 billion in 2022, while broader CDC estimates have placed medical costs and lost productivity associated with diagnosed diabetes at approximately $640 billion using a different methodology.

How many people have diabetes in the United States?

The CDC estimates that 40.1 million people had diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2023, representing about 12% of the population.

Are diabetes supplies expensive?

They can be. Costs depend on the specific equipment, frequency of use, insurance coverage, and individual treatment plan.

What can I do with extra diabetic supplies?

Depending on the type, condition, expiration date, and applicable requirements, some specialized buyers may purchase qualifying unopened diabetic supplies.

Does diabetes cost more when complications develop?

Yes. Diabetes-related complications can significantly increase healthcare expenses, particularly when they require hospitalization, procedures, specialist care, or long-term treatment.

Cost of Diabetes in the United States

The cost of diabetes in the United States extends far beyond a monthly prescription. It can include medications, monitoring technology, diabetic test strips, appointments, hospitalization, complications, and indirect financial costs.

For NYC residents living with diabetes, understanding these expenses can make it easier to plan for recurring costs and avoid unnecessary waste.

If you have extra diabetic supplies that are unopened, factory sealed, and unexpired, learning whether they qualify for purchase may provide a practical way to recover some value from products you no longer need.

Ready to Sell Your Extra Diabetic Supplies?

Have extra diabetic supplies sitting unused? Contact Sell Diabetic Supplies Omaha to find out whether your qualifying Dexcom, Omnipod, FreeStyle Libre, or diabetic test strips may be eligible for a quote.