Does Pet Insurance Cover Diabetes?

Costs for pet diabetes can add up over time, since the condition isn’t cured and is managed every day.

Fortunately, MetLife Pet Insurance can help with coverage for diabetes-related costs through our standard policy. Learn more about what’s covered and how much you could save on treatment costs.

MetLife Pet Offers Coverage for Diabetes Costs

Our standard accident and illness insurance policy can provide reimbursements of up to 90% on covered costs related to diabetes diagnosis and treatment.¹ Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t properly produce or use insulin, so blood glucose levels rise. Pets with diabetes may become overly thirsty and urinate more frequently. They may also lose weight and seem lethargic.²

Diabetes is incurable, so treatment typically includes symptom management and routine monitoring. Dogs with diabetes are usually given regular insulin medication, and some cats may be given insulin or take a non-insulin medication to help control blood sugar levels. Your vet may also prescribe diet and lifestyle adjustments to help support a healthy weight and bodily functions.²

What Types of Diabetes Expenses Can Be Covered?

With pet insurance, diabetes costs don’t have to break the bank. You can typically be reimbursed for the following diabetes-related expenses with a MetLife Pet plan:

• Diagnostics (like blood work and urinalyses)
• Prescribed medications, food, and supplements
• Exam fees
• Hospitalization
• Emergency and supportive care

Sometimes, diabetic pets can experience related health conditions, such as hypoglycemia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), cataracts, or diabetic ketoacidosis.² With a MetLife Pet plan, you can rest a little easier knowing there’s coverage for these, too.

Does pet insurance cover insulin?

Yes, MetLife Pet Insurance can provide coverage for insulin costs as long as your pet’s diabetes doesn’t fall under any exclusions in your policy. With regular insulin injections typically being a large portion of a diabetes treatment plan, getting reimbursed up to 90% of the cost can help keep your budget intact.¹

Are There Exclusions to Diabetes Coverage?

Depending on your policy, you may have exclusions or limitations to diabetes coverage. Some of these could be:

• The type of pet insurance policy you have: If you have an accident-only policy, coverage for diabetes-related expenses likely won’t be covered. If you have a comprehensive (aka accident and illness) policy — like MetLife Pet’s — diabetes coverage is typically included.
• Applicable waiting periods: Diabetes that was diagnosed or treated during the waiting period listed in your policy won’t be covered. MetLife Pet has a standard 14-day waiting period for illnesses.³
• Pre-existing conditions: If your pet’s diabetes manifested or was diagnosed before your policy start date, or before your waiting period was over, it would be considered a pre-existing condition and typically be excluded from coverage.

Luckily, group policyholders who switched to a MetLife Pet plan can typically get continued coverage for their pet’s pre-existing conditions that are currently covered by another provider.⁴

The Cost of Treating Diabetes

Managing diabetes is a lifelong endeavor, and that means the cost is, too. Necessary insulin could cost up to $150 per month, depending on the type of insulin, the dosage required, and where you purchase it.⁵ You may also need to pay for supplies — like syringes, needles, and glucose monitoring tools — all of which add to the total cost.

When all is said and done, you could be looking at up to $2,900 or more per year to treat your pet’s diabetes.⁶ Having pet insurance for your diabetic dog or cat can mean the costs may become easier to manage financially — helping you keep your pet healthier and happier.

MetLife Pet members who saved on diabetes costs

We can talk about reimbursements on general diabetes costs all day long, but it may be helpful to see some real-life examples. Here’s a look at a few MetLife Pet policyholders who got money back:⁷

• Nino the dog went to the vet for his diabetes checkup that included blood work, a urinalysis, and medications. His family was reimbursed nearly $1,750 of the $1,950 bill.
• A dog named Oolong got his insulin refill, which costs almost $300, reimbursed close to $250.
• Matteo the cat needed prescription food as part of his diabetes treatment plan. His owners got almost $125 back on the nearly $150 cost.

Diabetes expenses can vary based on the treatment required to maintain your pet’s health, how long treatment continues, and where you live. Being able to help keep your beloved companion healthy and get money back over their lifetime could make a pet insurance policy worth it.

Get Diabetes Coverage With MetLife Pet

Although diabetes is typically a lifelong condition, with the right treatment plan, many pets can live long and happy lives. But it’s crucial to not miss medication doses and keep up with follow-up vet visits that help monitor your pet’s condition.²

Having a MetLife Pet policy to help you cover these expenses — and others related to diabetes — could make your pet’s necessary care more financially accessible. Get a free quote today to explore our plan customization options and find what works best for you.