Discovery's sub-standard service

I live with Type 2 Diabetes and while I have chronic benefits covered with discovery (which I pay for) to cover my treatment I find that there is ************** in what is covered for T2 diabetics. Last year my doctor motivated to Discovery for cover for me for the Freestyle Libre Sensors which was declined. It is World Diabetes Awareness Month and I am tired of the ************** that people who live with T2 diabetes face. I sent discovery an email on 6 November 2023 s follows:

Good morning My doctor (on my behalf) previously requested Discovery to cover the sensors. My understanding is that the request was declined because I am a T2 diabetic and not a T1 diabetic and Discovery does not cover for the sensors for T2 diabetics. I spoke to one of your contact centre agents on Friday who in addition to the above advised that: 1. T2's medication is covered under the chronic benefit 2. T1's medication (insulin etc.) and I assume sensors etc. is covered under the risk benefit. I would like somebody to explain to me why the above is the protocol. Thank you

This was their response this morning: We have received your query regarding cover for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for both conditions are covered from the Chronic Illness Benefit.

Treatment includes, oral medications (Type 2 diabetes only), insulins, strips, needles, pathology tests, eye tests, dietitian consultations, podiatrist consultations, GP consultations and specialist consultations.

Glucometers are covered for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes from the Risk benefit because these can not be authorised on your chronic profile on monthly treatments as a device.

Sensors are covered from the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Benefit for Type 1 diabetes only at R760.00 per month on your plan type. Funding is from the Risk and not from the Chronic Illness Benefit as no authorisation for sensors is loaded on your chronic profile as a device, like the Glucometer.

I hope that this provides more clarity.

And again, my response to them: Thank you for your response,I appreciate it.

So as mentioned in my initial query, I understand that I am not covered/authorised for the sensors on a risk benefit. My doctor motivated that receive cover BUT it was declined. And I want to know why it is covered for T1 diabetics only. Am I, as T2 diabetic not at risk as well? Oh wait, being a T2 diabetic probably means that I brought it upon myself.

November is Diabetes awareness month, and I am putting it out there that I am tired of the ************** levelled at T2 diabetics. Contrary to popular belief, T2 diabetics do not bring this upon themselves. So no, I was not diagnosed as child but as a 27 year old adult, I have never been overweight and unfortunately most of my family also live with my diabetes.

Do any of the people who sit on the panel live with diabetes? Do they know what we T1 and T2 have to deal with? Having a sensor makes things so much less complicated like when I am in a mall and I feel ill and I can immediately check my glucose levels and discover that it's low and then take the necessary steps to alleviate a low glucose reading.

I would like a more detailed response about why T2 diabetics cannot be covered for sensors.

I re-iterate, I am tired of the ************** that we as T2 diabetics face everyday of our lives. These sensors will make the managing of my diabetes so much easier, a glucometer is handy but not convenient. I am tired of discovery's standard responses.