What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition where your blood sugar levels are too high. This is caused by the body not producing enough insulin or not using insulin effectively, leading to potential damage to nerves and organs like the eyes, kidneys, and heart. The most common type is type 2 diabetes, which often happens when the body becomes resistant to insulin.
Test your knowledge about diabetes
Do you know the answers to these common questions about diabetes? Test your knowledge below.
Read more about diabetes
Learn more about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, including symptoms, causes and ways to manage the condition.
Medibank Type 2 Diabetes Program
Eligible members^ can join a 12-month program to help lose weight and manage their type 2 diabetes.
CareFirst
CareFirst aims to help you manage type 2 diabetes through personal coaching that supports you to set and achieve lifestyle goals. It's delivered virtually by care coordinators in conjunction with your GP and other health professionals.#
Extras cover
Depending on your level of extras cover, we’ll pay benefits towards services that may help with managing type 2 diabetes including a dietitian, podiatry or optometry.+
Complimentary health checks
Members with Hospital cover* can chat to a registered nurse over the phone to help you set appropriate health goals and recommendations for tests or services based on your needs.
Live Better, get rewarded
You can earn Live Better points that can be redeemed for rewards when you track your healthy actions, as an eligible Medibank member with hospital or extras cover.~
Parkrun
Even if you’re not a runner, we’ve got the run for you. Medibank is a proud supporter of parkrun. Walk, jog, run or volunteer every Saturday at a park near you.
Things you should know
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).
^ Available to suitable Medibank members aged 18-80 with resident hospital cover that includes diabetes management who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, are above a healthy weight (BMI≥27) and can access a telephone and internet.
# Referred services may attract a charge, depending on the provider. If members are referred to external healthcare providers for treatment during the program, these services may attract a charge (depending on the provider).
+ Up to annual limits. Waiting periods apply.
* Members must be +18 years and have Hospital cover. Members with Overseas Visitor Health Cover, Working Visa Health Cover and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) are not eligible. This health check service is being delivered by Amplar Health. Amplar Health is a business of Medibank Health Solutions Pty Limited (ABN 99 078 934 791), a member of the Medibank group of companies.
~ Must be 16 years or over to register for Medibank Live Better rewards in the My Medibank app. Some program partners and earning activities require a person to be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to earn and/or redeem a reward. Must be a Medibank member with hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, and be up-to-date with premium payments. Excludes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance only cover, ahm covers and other selected covers. Live Better Management Pty Ltd, ACN 003 457 289 has entered into commercial arrangements with Medibank Live Better program partners and may receive commissions. Please choose carefully as rewards will not be amended, cancelled, exchanged or refunded due to change of mind. Points earning activities and rewards are subject to change without prior notice and may be subject to availability. Additional terms and conditions may apply to points earning activities and rewards. See full Medibank Live Better rewards terms.