The best option is to work for a company that provides medical insurance. You will have to pay something for it each month and that will vary per company and their plans. It really really varies per company, Federal, State, union and larger companies offer the best subsidized plans. When someone works for an employer that provides health insurance they will cover the family for an additional, usually nominal fee. That would include spouse and children, some companies will include other household members but that can be more iffy, since they subsidize it. If you are low income, after you have lived here for a certain period of time you can apply for medical coverage, free or low cost depending on your income. That will vary per state how you qualify.
If you are self employed, or maybe work for a very small company, to get insurance you have to go on an exchange and those can cost quite a lot. Most people here get coverage by their work place, by a spouses work place or through the government by either low income or because you are a senior on Medicare.
Just a note. Through an employer is the best way. A company will cover the spouse, but doesn't want to if the spouse can get insurance through their own workplace. That's because it is subsidized. I notice you said partner and that can mean you might not be able to get coverage through them. You would have to check with that company to find out what they allow. The best bet for you then is to also work for a company that provides insurance. You both would be paying separately for it.
Coverage can be great. It depends on the company and the plan you pick what your costs will be. We have always made sure one of us works for someone that offers benefits/health plans.
So it depends. Are one of you coming here with a job offer? They or you will need to start working and sign up for benefits and you get coverage pretty quickly. If you come here and then apply for jobs, you will be without coverage and that will be costly. To get a prescription for insulin you will have to see a doctor and pay for it or try to go through a low cost clinic or free clinic and you will have to find out where those are. Usually in larger metropolitan areas. I wouldn't go that route unless you absolutely have to. You can get old fashioned Novolin through Walmart without a prescription for about $25 a vial, that is harder to use if you are not used to it.. You can also go to Canada and get insulin cheap without a prescription, mail order through Canada requires a prescription still. Most of the major insulin companies have savings cards for insulin cheaper you can apply for and print immediately if you are not covered by insurance, but you still need a prescription to actually get it. In most states you can buy syringes and pen needles over the counter without a script.
So the best option is for you to work for a company that offers insurance plans. Most plans cover a wide range of pumps, insulins, cgms when you are a type 1. The insurance company (and your doctor) will likely want proof you are a type 1. Something from a doctor saying you are a type 1. A few insurance companies might actually want tests for proof of being type 1 since they are likely to be covering some very expensive stuff. So make sure you bring a note from your doctor stating you are a type 1 and copies of any tests you had.
