As an independent health insurance agent here in Illinois I do a lot of business with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Lately I've been running into a lot of potential clients that unfortunately have Diabetes.

Unlike group insurance, here in Illinois when an individual or family applies for a health insurance policies they can be declined for pre-existing conditions. When it comes to Diabetes Type 1, this is an automatic decline.  This is with all carriers that do individual plans, not just BCBSIL.  I wish the insurance carriers did a better job of letting applicant now this up front.  Too many times I see people go through an entire application, submit their payment and have to wait 3 weeks to find out they would be declined!!  How frustrating! 

Type 2 Diabetes has a little more flexibility.  As long as some one is over 30 years of age and they were diagnosed over a year ago they maybe eligible as long as their type 2 diabetes is well controlled with diet and exercise only.  An applicant must be able to have current labs available.   Also there can't be any high blood pressure, cardiac conditions or other related conditions. 

I always recommend doing a pre-screen first before applying.  The underwriters appreciate having a screened applications vs. one that will be an autodecline.