Medicare Coverage: Diabetic Supplies

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Diabetic Supplies
 

You pay 20% of Medicare-approved amounts.

Medicare covers some diabetic supplies for people with Medicare with diabetes (insulin users and non-insulin users).

These include limited quantities of:

  • blood glucose test strips (Important Note: Effective April 1, 2002, all Medicare enrolled pharmacies and suppliers must submit claims for glucose monitor test strips. You cannot send in the claim for glucose test strips yourself.),
  • blood glucose meter,
  • lancet devices and lancets, and
  • glucose control solutions for checking the accuracy of test strips monitors.


Please refer to the coverage information under Durable Medical Equipment for information on blood glucose monitor coverage.

To make sure your Medicare diabetes medical supplies are covered:
  • Ask the pharmacy or supplier if it is enrolled in the Medicare program prior to purchasing your diabetic supplies. If you go to a pharmacy or supplier that is not enrolled, Medicare will not pay. You will be responsible for paying the entire bill for any supplies.
  • Only accept supplies you have ordered. Medicare will not pay for supplies you did not request.
  • Make sure you request your supply refills. Medicare will not pay for supplies sent from the supplier to you automatically.


Therapeutic Shoes: Medicare covers therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes who have severe diabetic foot disease. The doctor who treats your diabetes must certify your need for therapeutic shoes. The shoes and inserts must be prescribed by a podiatrist or other qualified doctor and provided by a podiatrist, orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist. Medicare helps pay for one pair of therapeutic shoes and inserts per calendar year. Shoe modifications may be substituted for inserts.

The fitting of the shoes or inserts is covered in the Medicare payment for the shoes.

Insulin (unless used with an insulin pump), insulin pens, syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, gauze, eye exams for glasses, and routine or yearly physical exams are not covered.

 

 

 

Medicare is the name given to a health insurance program administered by the United States government, covering people who are either age 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria.

Diabetic Supplies