Very much like a prisoner being tracked in a work-release program (except it's implanted on the inside of your upper arm) -- the VeriMed microchip stores your vital health information for times when you are unable to disclose it yourself. It's about the size of a grain of rice and VeriChip says the procedure is painless.

At the Diabetic Expo, held in Atlanta, Georgia -- VeriChip Corporation received the endorsement of the American Diabetes Association to test implant the microchip in 18 diabetics who signed up for the voluntary procedure. The implantable RFID microchip sends patient information to a handheld RFID scanner and a secure patient database. This system is intended to provide immediate access to important health information for patients who arrive at an emergency room unable to communicate.

The chip stores your personal health information and it can be transmitted (in theory) to a medical professional in an emergency room. However, given the fact that anyone possessing the handheld RFID scanner can access your personal health information on the secure database- I'm not so sure I'd want to leave that out there for the world of battery-operated busy bodies. I remember how violated I felt when my personal information was stolen from Ameriprise. How would you feel if your most personal information was tapped because someone left the emergency room RFID scanner unmanned? Your name would be worth a lot more than you realize!

A popular article titled Health Insurance for Diabetics was recently updated to include the latest news and trends that affect more than 25 million diabetics in the U.S. The article summarizes the five ways that diabetics in the U.S. find health insurance and includes links to additional resources for each type of coverage. Many people will be surprised by the rapid pace of change in this area since states implemented a federal law known as HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996. It is believed that an entirely new type of limited benefit health insurance known as mini-med policies will eventually become the preferred type of insurance for diabetics and many of the nation's working class.

This article was originally published in 2000 by Medsave.com. The company noticed that diabetics were searching online for insurance alternatives without fully understanding the options and legal framework of the coverage. This led to many people enrolling in health plans that seemed too good to be true - and often turned out to be the case. Some people were victimized by online scams that prey on people who do not qualify for or cannot afford regular health insurance. MedSave.com offers low cost health insurance options but expends much effort educating consumers on the limitations and trade-offs of each option.

Author Tony Novak has covered this topic for six years. He hears from hundreds of diabetics each year and has covered many aspects of this growing niche of the heath care industry. The current situation is causing many people to become frustrated and angry. In some states the existing laws make it practically impossible for a middle income person to afford health insurance. In other states, the number of affordable health insurance options is expanding. Novak welcomes comments and feedback for future publications. Tony is a man who has stepped-up to the plate on behalf of diabetic health insurance. Anybody willing to decode the encrypted lingo of diabetic clauses in health insurance is a hero in my book. Everybody loves a hero. Thanks Tony!