Do you know your diabetes rights?
Here’s what benefits you are allowed when you’re living with diabetes.
Public
This is the basic care bundle that you can access at your local clinic or hospital.
There are three main benefits when you’re living with diabetes:
1. Medication
Insulin – all those with Type 1 diabetes, some with Type 2 diabetes
Short-acting and long-acting insulin, or premix insulin, as needed.
Oral medication (tablets) – only for Type 2s
Most people with Type 2 diabetes will start on oral medication (tablets) and move to insulin, if they need to.
All those on insulin:
- Needles
Enough needles for daily injections. A needle should be used 5 times at the most. - Glucometer (blood glucose meter)
Every person using insulin (Type 1 or Type 2) should be given a free glucometer. - Glucometer strips
100 to 150 strips a month for those with Type 1 diabetes (2 to 3 boxes), 50 strips a month for those with Type 2 diabetes (1 box). Check your blood glucose before injecting insulin and if you feel unwell.
2. Yearly Health Check-up
- HbA1c test
Every year, you should have an HbA1c blood test. This test will tell you (and your healthcare worker) if you’re managing your diabetes, or if you need to make changes. - Blood and urine tests
You need to test 3 things every year:
- Cholesterol
- Urine protein
- Kidney function
- Retinal screening
Once each year, you need to get your eyes tested. A retinal screening will tell you if you’re at risk of retinopathy, which can lead to blindness.
- Foot screening
Once each year, you need to get your feet checked. If you have problems with your feet, they must be checked more often.
3. At clinic visits
At each clinic visit, you can ask for:
- Diet advice
Ask your healthcare worker for meal plans and what to eat to manage your diabetes. - Diabetes advice
Ask your healthcare worker any questions you have about how to cope with diabetes.
Download this information to keep
Private (medical aid)
This is the basic care bundle for all those on medical aid.
There are two main benefits when you’re living with diabetes:
1. Medication
- Insulin – all those with Type 1 diabetes, some with Type 2 diabetes
Short-acting and long-acting insulin, or premix insulin, as needed. - Oral medication (tablets) – only for Type 2s
Most people with Type 2 diabetes will start on oral medication (tablets) and move to insulin, if they need to. - Needles for insulin, as needed
Enough needles for daily injections. A needle should be used 5 times at the most. - Glucometer (blood glucose meter)
All those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes should be given a free glucometer. - Glucometer strips
100 to 150 strips a month for those with Type 1 diabetes (2 to 3 boxes), 50 to 100 strips a month for those with Type 2 diabetes (1 to 2 boxes: those on insulin will need more).
Check your blood glucose before injecting insulin and if you feel unwell.
2. Yearly Health Check-up
- HbA1c tests
You should have 2 to 4 HbA1c tests each year. These blood tests will tell you (and your doctor) if you’re managing your diabetes, or if you need to make changes.
- Blood and urine tests
You need to test 3 things every year:
- Cholesterol
- Urine protein
- Kidney function
- Retinal screening
Once each year, you need to get your eyes screened by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. A retinal screening will tell you if you’re at risk of retinopathy, which can lead to blindness.
- Foot screening
Once each year, you need to get your feet checked by a podiatrist. If you have problems with your feet, they must be checked more often.
- Diet advice
Once each year, you can visit a dietician for advice on meal plans and what to eat to manage your diabetes. - Diabetes specialist
Those with Type 2 diabetes can visit their diabetes specialist once a year. Those with Type 1 diabetes can visit their diabetes specialist 2 to 4 times a year, as needed.
You are not alone in this…
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