I could do better at ... controlling costs

Diabetes can be a financial burden as well as a medical one. A year's worth of routine care—including medication, glucose test strips, syringes, and other supplies, plus regular visits to a doctor—can run about $6,000 a year. And that doesn't include costs associated with any serious diabetes complications.

But trying to save money by scaling back on tests or treatments may undermine your efforts to control your diabetes, our survey suggests. More than half of the people who were unsuccessful in managing their condition said they had put off seeing a doctor, skipped filling a prescription, or resorted to another cost-cutting measure. (For details, see Don't cut back.)

It's clear that cutting corners can be bad for your health, but there are ways to get the most for your health-care dollars.

A guide to controlling diabetes costs