Where to turn

Getting the care you need shouldn’t mean navigating a complicated system alone. Whether you’re facing a coverage denial, struggling with costs, or looking for answers, these resources across 15 countries can help you find where to turn.

  1. Argentina

    People with an obra social or a prepaga get diabetes medicines and testing supplies through that plan, which by law must cover 100% of them.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      Superintendency of Health Services: complaint about coverage problems

      Superintendencia de Servicios de Salud: Reclamar por problemáticas de cobertura prestacional

      Free complaint to the national regulator when your obra social or prepaga refuses or fails to cover your care.

      Eligibility and limits Members of national obras sociales (Agentes del Seguro) and prepagas

    • Government offices

      National Ombudsman of Argentina

      Defensoría del Pueblo de la Nación

      Takes free written complaints when a government body or public service violates your rights; no lawyer needed.

      Eligibility and limits Complaints must be filed within one year of the event and signed by the affected person

    • Elected representatives

      Chamber of Deputies: current members

      Honorable Cámara de Diputados de la Nación: Nómina Actual

      Official list of national deputies by province, with a profile page for each one.

    • Elected representatives

      National Senate: list of senators

      Honorable Senado de la Nación: Listado de Senadores

      Official list of the 72 national senators, most with an email address and office phone extension.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Argentine Diabetes Federation

      Federación Argentina de Diabetes (FAD)

      National federation of diabetes patient groups that offers free legal advice by email on enforcing diabetes coverage rights.

    • Help with costs

      Simple Law: Diabetes (Government of Argentina)

      Ley simple: Diabetes (Argentina.gob.ar)

      Explains that obras sociales and prepagas must pay 100% of diabetes medicines and self-testing supplies, with a public-clinic certificate.

      Eligibility and limits People covered by an obra social or prepaga

  2. Australia

    Medicare, the universal public scheme, covers public hospital care in full and helps pay for doctor visits, and the PBS subsidizes medicines; many people also buy private insurance.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Government offices

      Commonwealth Ombudsman: Private Health Insurance complaints

      Free, independent service that looks into complaints about private health insurers, including unpaid benefits and waiting periods.

      Eligibility and limits Private health insurance only

    • Elected representatives

      Parliament of Australia: Senators and Members

      Search for your federal Member of Parliament and senators by state or name.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Diabetes Australia

      National diabetes organization that also runs the government’s NDSS; call or email for support.

    • Help with costs

      National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

      Government scheme that gives registered people subsidized strips, pen needles, syringes, CGM and pump supplies, plus a helpline.

      Eligibility and limits People with diabetes registered with the NDSS

    • Help with costs

      Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

      Caps what you pay for each PBS prescription, including insulin, at $25, or $7.70 with a concession card, as of 2026.

  3. Bangladesh

    About 79 percent of health spending in Bangladesh is paid directly by patients out of pocket, according to World Bank data for 2023.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Government offices

      DGHS Health Call Center (Shastho Batayon)

      স্বাস্থ্য অধিদপ্তর হেলথ কল সেন্টার

      Government 24-hour health call center; the DGHS site also links to its online complaint box.

    • Government offices

      Grievance Redress System (GRS)

      অভিযোগ প্রতিকার ব্যবস্থা

      File an online complaint when a government office, including a public hospital, fails to provide a service, and track it.

      Eligibility and limits Phone and email are for help using the system

    • Elected representatives

      Jatiya Sangsad current members list

      জাতীয় সংসদ

      Lists current Members of Parliament by constituency so you can find and contact your MP.

    • Free help with your case

      Bangladesh Legal Aid Department

      বাংলাদেশ আইনগত সহায়তা অধিদপ্তর

      Government legal aid at public cost, with a national helpline for legal advice and complaints.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS)

      National diabetes association whose BIRDEM social welfare department gives free care and insulin to poor patients.

      Eligibility and limits Poor and destitute patients

  4. Brazil

    The public Unified Health System (SUS) gives everyone access to medicines and procedures; people with a private health plan can also use that plan.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS): complaint about your health plan

      Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar: Canais de Atendimento ao Consumidor (NIP)

      If your private health plan denies coverage, complain to the plan first, then to ANS, which forces the plan to answer within 5 business days.

      Eligibility and limits People with a private health plan (plano de saúde)

    • Government offices

      SUS General Ombudsman (Ministry of Health)

      Ouvidoria-Geral do SUS (OuvSUS)

      Takes complaints and requests about SUS services, medicines and supplies, by phone, web form or WhatsApp, and can keep you anonymous.

      Eligibility and limits Users of the public SUS system

    • Free help with your case

      Federal Public Defender’s Office: health

      Defensoria Pública da União (DPU): Saúde

      Free legal help for low-income people denied medicines, surgeries or procedures by the public system, in cases for federal courts.

      Eligibility and limits Low-income people; federal-court cases (for example high-cost or non-SUS medicines); other cases go to the state Defensoria Pública

    • Elected representatives

      Chamber of Deputies: who the deputies are

      Câmara dos Deputados: Quem são os deputados

      Official search of federal deputies, with a downloadable contact list for all deputies.

    • Elected representatives

      Federal Senate: senators in office

      Senado Federal: Senadores em Exercício

      Official list of current senators with their office phone numbers and email addresses.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Brazilian Diabetes Society

      Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes (SBD)

      Brazil’s national diabetes society; contact its office for general information about diabetes care.

    • Help with costs

      Popular Pharmacy Program

      Programa Farmácia Popular do Brasil

      Free diabetes medicines and supplies at accredited private pharmacies with your ID, CPF and a valid prescription, public or private.

      Eligibility and limits Pharmacies showing the ‘Aqui Tem Farmácia Popular’ seal; also at UBS and municipal pharmacies

  5. Canada

    Provinces and territories run tax-funded public plans for doctor and hospital care; people who do not qualify for a government drug plan pay for prescriptions themselves or through private insurance.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB): Appealing a decision

      Explains the three-level appeal if NIHB denies coverage for a drug, supply or other benefit.

      Eligibility and limits First Nations and Inuit clients covered by NIHB

    • Government offices

      OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI)

      Free, independent and impartial service that helps with questions and complaints about life and health insurance companies.

      Eligibility and limits Private life and health insurance only

    • Elected representatives

      House of Commons: Find Members of Parliament

      Search by postal code to find your Member of Parliament and how to reach them.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Diabetes Canada

      National diabetes charity whose Information and Referral Specialist team answers questions and points you to help.

    • Help with costs

      National pharmacare

      Federal deals that make listed diabetes medications covered at the pharmacy in provinces and territories that have signed on.

      Eligibility and limits Only British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Yukon as of the page’s 2026-04-24 date

  6. China

    About 32 percent of health spending in China is paid directly by patients out of pocket, according to World Bank data for 2023.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Government offices

      National Healthcare Security Administration online petitions

      国家医疗保障局 网上信访

      Send a complaint online to the national agency that runs public medical insurance, including problems with reimbursement.

    • Government offices

      National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration

      国家信访局 网上投诉请求

      National online channel to file a complaint or request about any government agency, and to track its handling.

    • Free help with your case

      Legal aid through China Legal Services Network (Ministry of Justice)

      中国法律服务网 法律援助

      Ministry of Justice portal where people can apply for government legal aid and get legal consultation.

      Eligibility and limits Account login required

    • Help with costs

      National insulin bulk-buying program

      胰岛素专项集采

      Explains the national centralized purchasing program that cut prices of about 40 common insulin products by 48 percent on average from 2022.

  7. Ethiopia

    The government’s Ethiopian Health Insurance agency runs community-based health insurance for people in the informal economy and social health insurance for formal-sector workers.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Government offices

      Ethiopian Human Rights Commission

      National human-rights body that takes reports of rights violations through a free short-code line and email.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Ethiopian Diabetes Association

      National patient association that advocates for affordable, accessible diabetes medicines and supplies and runs diabetes education.

    • Help with costs

      Ethiopian Health Insurance Agency: Community-Based Health Insurance

      Government health insurance; its community-based scheme covers households working in the informal economy, lowering what they pay for care.

      Eligibility and limits Community-based scheme is for people in the informal sector

  8. India

    About 44 percent of health spending in India is paid directly by patients out of pocket, according to World Bank data for 2023.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      Bima Bharosa (IRDAI insurance complaint portal)

      If your health insurer rejects or ignores your complaint, register it here with the national insurance regulator and track it online.

      Eligibility and limits People with private or public-sector health insurance policies

    • Government offices

      Insurance Ombudsman (Council for Insurance Ombudsmen)

      Free official body that decides complaints against insurers after you have complained to the insurer first and waited a month.

      Eligibility and limits Policyholders; file within one year of the insurer’s rejection; claims up to Rs 50 lakh

    • Government offices

      CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System)

      Lodge a complaint online against any central or state government department, including public hospitals and health schemes, and track it.

      Eligibility and limits Complaints by email are not accepted; file on the portal or app

    • Government offices

      National Consumer Helpline

      Call or message to file a consumer complaint, for example about a pharmacy, hospital bill or service you paid for.

    • Elected representatives

      Lok Sabha members directory

      Find your Member of Parliament by constituency or state to ask for help with a health scheme or coverage problem.

    • Free help with your case

      National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

      Provides free legal aid and Lok Adalat dispute settlement for people who cannot afford a lawyer.

      Eligibility and limits Weaker sections of society; eligibility rules are not stated on the home page

    • Help with costs

      Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (Jan Aushadhi)

      Government chain of Jan Aushadhi Kendra stores selling quality generic medicines at lower prices; find your nearest store.

  9. Indonesia

    About 31 percent of health spending in Indonesia is paid directly by patients out of pocket, according to World Bank data for 2023.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      BPJS Kesehatan Care Center 165 and complaint portal

      BPJS Kesehatan Care Center 165 / Informasi & Pengaduan

      The national health insurer’s 24-hour line and online system for information requests and complaints about JKN coverage.

      Eligibility and limits JKN members and the public

    • Government offices

      Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia

      Ombudsman Republik Indonesia

      Takes complaints when a government agency or public service provider mishandles your case or acts improperly.

    • Government offices

      SP4N-LAPOR! national public complaints system

      National online channel for complaints about any government service; complaints are forwarded to the agency responsible.

      Eligibility and limits Main site was under maintenance until 29 Oct 2026; prod.lapor.go.id was the stated fallback

    • Elected representatives

      DPR RI members directory

      Informasi Anggota Dewan, DPR RI

      Lists all 577 members of the House of Representatives by electoral district so you can contact your representative.

  10. Israel

    Residents get care through a health fund (kupat holim) under the National Health Insurance Law, which sets a basket of covered medicines and services.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      Ombudsman for the National Health Insurance Law (Ministry of Health): complaint against your health fund

      נציבות הקבילות, משרד הבריאות: הגשת קבילה לפי חוק ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי

      Free complaint process if your health fund refuses a medicine, test or treatment; it can order the fund to provide it or refund you.

      Eligibility and limits Members of an Israeli health fund (kupat holim)

    • Government offices

      Ministry of Health Hotline (Kol HaBriut)

      קול הבריאות - מוקד שירות ומידע טלפוני

      The Ministry of Health phone line for questions about your health rights and how to complain about your health fund.

  11. Mexico

    About 72.5 percent of people are enrolled in a health institution, mostly IMSS, followed by public health centers and ISSSTE; only 6.9 percent report private insurance.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Government offices

      National Medical Arbitration Commission

      Comisión Nacional de Arbitraje Médico (CONAMED)

      Free service that takes complaints about medical care from public, private or social institutions and tries to settle them without court.

    • Government offices

      National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users

      Comisión Nacional para la Protección y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros (CONDUSEF)

      Takes complaints against private insurers, including major medical insurance claims that were denied or underpaid.

      Eligibility and limits Private insurance and other financial services

    • Government offices

      National Human Rights Commission

      Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CNDH)

      Accepts human rights complaints online or by phone when a public authority treats you unfairly.

    • Elected representatives

      Chamber of Deputies: Find your deputy

      Cámara de Diputados: Busca tu Diputada(o)

      Search the list of federal deputies by state to find who represents you.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Mexican Diabetes Federation

      Federación Mexicana de Diabetes, A.C.

      National federation that educates people with diabetes and defends their rights, working with member associations.

  12. Pakistan

    About 53 percent of health spending in Pakistan is paid directly by patients out of pocket, according to World Bank data for 2023.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Government offices

      Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman)

      وفاقی محتسب

      Free official body that takes complaints of unfair treatment or neglect by federal government agencies, including federal hospitals.

      Eligibility and limits Federal government agencies

    • Government offices

      Pakistan Citizen’s Portal (Prime Minister’s Performance Delivery Unit)

      Government app for raising complaints with government offices at every level and tracking the response.

      Eligibility and limits Complaints filed through the Android or iOS app

    • Elected representatives

      National Assembly members list

      Lists every Member of the National Assembly by constituency, with address and phone, so you can ask your MNA for help.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Diabetic Association of Pakistan

      Karachi diabetes charity offering free insulin support for children with type 1, free strips and meters, and free medicines for zakat-eligible patients.

      Eligibility and limits Free medicines and HbA1c tests for zakat-eligible patients; type 1 support for children

  13. Poland

    Most care is paid by the National Health Fund (NFZ) for people with compulsory or voluntary health insurance, and listed medicines are reimbursed.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      National Health Fund (NFZ): complaint about care

      Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia: Skarga do NFZ

      File a complaint with your regional NFZ branch if a provider refused care or charged you for NFZ-funded care or a refund-eligible prescription.

      Eligibility and limits Only about providers that have a contract with NFZ

    • Government offices

      Patient Rights Ombudsman

      Rzecznik Praw Pacjenta

      National office that protects patient rights; its free Patient Information line answers questions around the clock.

    • Government offices

      Commissioner for Human Rights

      Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich (RPO)

      Free complaint to the national human-rights office if you believe the state violated your rights; in 2025 it pressed for insulin-pump coverage for adults.

    • Elected representatives

      Sejm: all members

      Sejm Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej: Wszyscy posłowie

      Official list of members of the Sejm, the lower house of parliament.

    • Free help with your case

      Free legal aid and civic advice

      Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna, porady obywatelskie i mediacja

      Free legal advice at about 1,500 points, one in every county, also by phone or online for people with mobility difficulties.

    • Diabetes organizations

      Polish Diabetes Association

      Polskie Stowarzyszenie Diabetyków

      National association of people with diabetes, with local branches; contact the head office for support.

    • Help with costs

      Free medicines for children under 18 and adults 65+

      Bezpłatne leki (wykazy D1 i D2)

      Medicines on the official free lists cost nothing for under-18s and over-65s when the prescription carries the right code.

      Eligibility and limits Under 18 or 65 and older, insured, prescription from an NFZ-contracted doctor or nurse (not a private office)

  14. United Kingdom

    NHS care is based on clinical need and provided without charge, apart from limited exceptions such as prescription charges in England.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      NHS England: Feedback and complaints about NHS services

      Explains how to complain to an NHS service, usually within 12 months, and where to go if you are unhappy with the answer.

      Eligibility and limits England only

    • Government offices

      Public Service Ombudsman

      Free, independent body that investigates complaints about the NHS in England once the NHS’s own process is finished.

      Eligibility and limits NHS in England

    • Elected representatives

      UK Parliament: Find your MP

      Enter your postcode to find your Member of Parliament.

    • Free help with your case

      NHS complaints advocacy

      Free advocates help you make an NHS complaint at any stage; your local Healthwatch can tell you who provides it.

      Eligibility and limits England only

    • Diabetes organizations

      Diabetes UK

      Confidential helpline for anyone affected by diabetes, weekdays 9am to 6pm, with interpreters for other languages.

    • Help with costs

      NHS medical exemption certificate

      Gives free NHS prescriptions to people whose diabetes is treated with medicine, not diet alone; ask your GP to apply.

      Eligibility and limits England only

  15. United States

    Most people are covered through an employer plan, while about a third have public coverage such as Medicare or Medicaid, and about 8 percent have no insurance.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026

    • Challenge a denial

      HealthCare.gov: Appealing a health plan decision

      Explains how to ask your insurer to reverse a denial, then take it to an independent outside review if they say no.

    • Government offices

      Consumer Assistance Programs (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

      A federal map that sends you to your state’s health insurance help office or Department of Insurance, which can help with appeals.

    • Government offices

      Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

      Benefits advisors answer questions about job-based health plans, including what to do when a claim is denied.

      Eligibility and limits Job-based (employer) health plans

    • Elected representatives

      U.S. House of Representatives: Find Your Representative

      Enter your ZIP code to find your member of Congress and their contact page.

    • Elected representatives

      U.S. Senate: Contacting U.S. Senators

      Pick your state to find your two senators; their offices handle requests for personal help.

    • Free help with your case

      Patient Advocate Foundation

      Free case managers help people with chronic illness fight insurance denials and get prior authorizations approved.

      Eligibility and limits Patients in, starting or just ending treatment for a serious or chronic condition

    • Diabetes organizations

      American Diabetes Association

      National diabetes charity whose Center for Information answers questions by phone, email or chat, weekdays 9am to 5:30pm Eastern.

    • Help with costs

      Medicare insulin coverage

      Medicare caps what you pay for a one-month supply of each covered insulin at $35, with no deductible.

      Eligibility and limits People with Medicare Part B or Part D

Every resource links to an official source and shows when it was last checked. Information can change, so confirm details directly. This directory is a starting point, not medical or legal advice or individual case assistance.

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