How do I manage the cost of living with diabetes?
May 12, 2026By: Melissa Zalonis
Categories: Diabetes
More than one in 10 Americans, or 38 million people, live with diabetes. Managing this chronic condition can be mentally, physically and emotionally demanding. But what about the financial side of managing diabetes?
The CDC estimates that 1 out of every 4 healthcare dollars in the United States is spent on caring for people with diabetes. That makes diabetes the most expensive chronic condition in America.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you know living with it can be expensive. According to the National Institutes of Health, people with diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. face average annual medical expenditures of approximately $19,736 per person. According to the ADA, that’s more than 2.3 times higher than for someone without diabetes. So, what should you do to lower the cost of living with diabetes?
Create a budget for diabetes management
Creating a budget for diabetes management involves tracking recurring medical costs and leveraging new price caps and assistance programs to reduce out-of-pocket spending. Of course, your actual costs will depend on your insurance coverage, diabetes type and required monitoring technology. This can be complex, so the ADA has several tools that can help you build a budget around managing diabetes. If you would prefer to work one-on-one with a healthcare provider, our diabetes educators at NKC Health are here to help.
Be intentional at the grocery store
Groceries have long been a rising expense, which is why it’s so important to create a food budget and make a plan. Here are some things you can do before going to the grocery store to be more mindful when shopping:
- Check the food you have at home first
- Plan your meals for the week
- Set a spending limit
- Take advantage of coupons
- Visit multiple stores to get the best deals
If you’re not sure what to look for in the grocery store, NKC Health’s nutrition counseling services can help you build a healthy food plan.
Get some exercise
As you may know, regular movement helps manage blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing the risk of expensive long-term complications, which saves money. But did you know that physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, which can lead to a lower dependency on oral glucose-lowering drugs and insulin?
One study by the ADA estimated that walking three miles a day could reduce medication costs by approximately $550 per year. To see tangible health and financial benefits, you should:
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
- Spread activity over at least 3 days a week, with no more than two consecutive days of inactivity.
Ready to get moving? Consider joining NKC Health’s Fitness Center to take advantage of personalized exercise plans, cardiovascular equipment and a heated wellness pool designed for safe, effective workouts.
Join a program
Managing diabetes is a lot to carry, but joining a program can actually make it lighter and more affordable.
These groups are a space where you can get practical, real-world tips for daily care that help you stay on track and avoid expensive medical complications down the road. Plus, you'll find a community that understands, which makes sticking to healthy habits easier and more sustainable.
Get started today and join NKC Health’s Living With Diabetes Program, which is accredited by the ADA and is led by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) and Registered Dietitians (RD). You can attend a group class or a one-on-one session with a CDCES and RD. Call our team at (816) 691-8230 with questions or to get more details about class options.
Explore more resources
Frankly, the healthcare system can feel like a maze sometimes. Knowing where to go for resources and support is just as important as knowing your A1c. The ADA has several resources to help you manage healthcare costs associated with diabetes management. Here are some other resources at your disposal:
A diabetes diagnosis can feel life-altering, but it doesn’t have to slow you down. Get extra support from certified diabetes care and education specialists at NKC Health and subscribe to our Live Well With Diabetes eNewsletter to learn more about diabetes management.
