[Diabetes ⑫] Summary of Medical Expenses for Diabetes | Systems Used

Last time, I wrote about applying for the Disability Employees' Pension.

This time, I would like to write about how much money it has actually cost since I was diagnosed.

At the time I was diagnosed,
"How much will this cost every month from now on?"
I felt anxious.

Diabetes is a disease you live with for the rest of your life.

Insulin, hospital visits, medical equipment...

I couldn't even imagine it, and I remember just feeling anxious.

This time, I will talk about my own financial situation.

※Medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs vary depending on income bracket, treatment details, system revisions, etc. This is just my case.

Need to visit the hospital for life

When I found out about the disease, I was told:
* Insulin treatment is required for life
* Hospital visits are required for life
* Blood glucose monitoring is also required
I was anxious about the treatment, but

"How much will it cost from now on?"
I was just as anxious about that.
At the time, I had only been working for a few years.

I couldn't say I had enough savings.

I had no knowledge of medical expenses, and even when I looked it up online, I didn't really understand.

Current hospital visit costs

I currently visit the hospital once every two months.

Including consultations and tests, it costs
a little under 30,000 yen per visit.
Furthermore, for items received via prescription such as

* Insulin
* CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor)
* Other necessary medical equipment
it costs
around 5,000 yen.

Therefore, per hospital visit,


it is about 35,000 yen.
When you think about it on an annual basis, it is by no means a small amount.

Insulin pumps are expensive

I currently use an insulin pump.

* Pump-related consumables
* CGM sensors
* Maintenance of medical equipment
are required.

Therefore, looking only at medical expenses, it has increased compared to before.
Of course, everyone has a different way of thinking.

In my case, in my current life, using a pump causes less stress, so I continue to use it.

2025 medical expenses

Although this includes expenses other than diabetes, my medical expenses for 2025 were about 250,000 yen.

By the way, I was not hospitalized that year.

Disability Employees' Pension

As I wrote in a previous article, I receive the Disability Employees' Pension.
The amount received is

about 620,000 yen per year.
When converted to a monthly amount, it is about 50,000 yen.
Of course, the burden caused by the illness does not disappear.

Even so, considering

* Hospital visit costs
* Medical equipment costs

* Consumable costs
it is very helpful.
At the time of diagnosis, I didn't even know the system existed.
Looking back now, I am really glad I consulted someone.

High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System and Injury and Sickness Allowance

For the educational hospitalization immediately after diagnosis, I used the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System.
Also, I used the Injury and Sickness Allowance during my hospitalization and recuperation period.

At the time, I was in a state of

"What is the Injury and Sickness Allowance?"
There are surprisingly many systems you only learn about after getting sick.
Personally, I learned about

* High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System

* Injury and Sickness Allowance
* Disability Employees' Pension
all after I got sick.
These are all systems I wouldn't have been able to use if I hadn't known about them.
It costs more money than before I got sick.

That is certain.

But I am not in a situation where I "cannot live on medical expenses alone."
That is because there are systems I can use.

When I was just diagnosed, I was overwhelmed by the illness itself.
But in reality, I feel that it is important to know not only about treatment but also about the systems.

Summary

Since getting Type 1 diabetes, the money newly required for things like

* Hospital visit costs
* Insulin costs
* Medical equipment costs

has certainly increased.

On the other hand, there are systems you can use, such as

* High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit System
* Injury and Sickness Allowance
* Disability Employees' Pension

Immediately after diagnosis, I was full of feelings of "what will happen from now on?"

But now, I feel it is important to first look things up and consult someone if there is something I am anxious about.
If there is anyone who has just been diagnosed and is anxious about money, please first consult your attending physician, the hospital's consultation desk, or your HR representative.
There may be systems that can help you more than you think.