Medicare coverage for diabetes
What does Medicare Part B cover for people with diabetes?
Medicare Part B will cover much of your diabetes care, including doctors' services, lab tests, preventive care and supplies. If you have diabetes, it also covers your testing supplies, whether you use insulin or not.1 This includes:
- Blood glucose monitors
- Blood glucose test strips and control solutions
- Lancing devices and lancets
- Insulin pumps, if you meet certain requirements
In addition, you may be covered for:
- Meeting with a registered dietitian
- Working with a Certified Diabetes Educator
- Therapeutic shoes and inserts
- Eye, foot and other exams
Keep in mind that there may be limits and specific requirements that must be fulfilled.
How to get diabetes supplies through Medicare Part B
To get your diabetes supplies under Medicare Part B, you need a prescription from your doctor. The prescription should state:
- That you have been diagnosed with diabetes
- What kind of blood glucose monitor and test strips you need and why
- How often you should test your blood sugar each day
- Whether you use insulin
- How many test strips and lancets you need a month
- Note: For quality products, ask your doctor to prescribe an Accu-Chek® Guide Me blood glucose monitor and Accu-Chek Guide test strips. They can even include the phrase "Do Not Substitute" to make sure you get the brand you want.
Simply hand one of the Medicare cards shown here and your prescription to your pharmacist when you go to the pharmacy.
How much will you pay for diabetes supplies through Medicare Part B?
After you have met the Part B deductible, you'll pay co-insurance of 20% of the Medicare-approved payment rate for necessary supplies and services. Many Medicare beneficiaries have additional coverage that may help them pay the co-insurance.
All diabetes supplies are reimbursed at the same rate under Medicare Part B.2,3 You won't pay more to get quality Accu-Chek diabetes products available at all major retail pharmacies.
You can also receive your diabetes supplies through the Medicare national mail-order program, although mail-order suppliers may offer fewer brands than your local pharmacy. If the supplier you contact doesn't carry Accu-Chek products, visit your local retailer to fill your Accu-Chek Guide test strip prescription.
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1Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare's coverage of diabetes supplies and services. Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/11022-Medicare-Diabetes-Coverage.pdf. Accessed August 17, 2018.
2Medicare. Medicare's national mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies. Available at: https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-b/dme-diabetes-nation.... Accessed August 16, 2018.
3Accu-Chek test strips are covered when medically necessary for the patient and prescribed by a physician.