Living with diabetes can be challenging, but it becomes even more difficult when you fall victim to scams and fraudulent schemes. Unfortunately, individuals with diabetes are often targeted for their vulnerability, whether it’s through deceptive medical practices, false product claims, or inflated medical bills. In this blog post, we’ll explore some common scams that people with diabetes should watch out for, providing you with the information you need to protect yourself and your wallet.

1. Beware of Unnecessary Medical Billing

One of the most prevalent scams in the healthcare industry is overbilling for medical services. It’s not uncommon for healthcare providers to charge you for an emergency or urgent medical visit when it was, in fact, a routine appointment. Always review your medical bills carefully, and don’t hesitate to question any charges that seem excessive or unrelated to your actual visit. Maintaining clear communication with your healthcare provider can help prevent such discrepancies.

This happened to me! See my blog post: How I Disputed a Medical Bill

2. Be Cautious of Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Watches

This year, there have been watches appearing for sale on Amazon that claim “non-invasive” glucose monitoring. These watches are generally cheap $20-$50 items and they claim to have a sensor that can read blood glucose. I added these to a wish list, because I was curious, but the reviews were all negative — People with diabetes said that the glucose monitoring didn’t work at all.

Today, reviewing my wish list, I see that these products were removed from Amazon, as shown in this screenshot:

These products were taken down. Unfortunately, there are other similar products still being advertised. Be extremely cautious of these products, especially if they lack substantial scientific evidence or FDA approval.

3. Don’t Fall for Unverified Health Claims

In the era of online shopping and information overload, it’s easy to be enticed by products that promise miraculous diabetes cures or management solutions. Be skeptical of any product or treatment that lacks scientific validation or peer-reviewed studies. Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Consult with your healthcare team before trying any new product or treatment.