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48 million Americans are now without insurance according to government statistics. As the cost of medical insurance goes up, so does the number of people who are uninsured.

The health insurance for diabetic might sound like just what the doctor ordered for those uninsured looking for ways to save on health care. But consumers are advised to approach discount insurance cards with caution, said an expert from Ohio Cooperative Alliance.

Expert comments, "Because so many people don't have medical insurance, the insurance is a booming business," said Dr. Joyce Willis, Alliance family economics specialist.

Warning, But purchasers of some of these medical and insurance plans may not get what they think they are paying for, she warned.

No insurance is provided by insurance for diabetics since they are not insurable. Some of the advertisements are misleading because they are not clear that these are not insurance cards," Willis said. "That doesn't become an issue until you need some medical procedure and go to the doctor and then find out you don't have insurance."

Anyone thinking of buying insurance with diabetes should do some homework before signing on the dotted line, she said.

"Cost on the most basic insurance plans ranges from very low – about $180 per month – to over $300 a month," Willis said.

Discounts on services vary too. For most insurance, customers pay a set fee each month which entitles them to discounts of 10 percent to 40 percent for such services as visits to doctors' or dentists' offices, hospital stays, prescriptions and eye care, she said.

She warned, "Ultimately the consumer has to pay whether one has one of the diabetic insurance is not. The customer must pay up front." In many instances, medical procedures may be put off until the consumer pays.

The most favorable insurance provide a discount only if the providers accept the plans.

Many people have had disastrous experiences in the past with faulty diabetic plans.