Does Medicare Cover Diabetes Supplies?
- March 12, 2021
Medicare beneficiaries who are diabetic have a number of Medicare coverage options they can consider for the diabetes care they need.
Medicare Part B does cover some diabetes supplies, and coverage typically comes with some coinsurance and/or copays.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans also cover diabetes supplies, and many plans also cover prescription drugs like insulin and other diabetes medicine.
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What diabetes supplies will Medicare pay for?
Yes, Medicare Part B covers some diabetes supplies, including:
- Insulin
- Blood sugar testing strips
- Glucose testing monitors
- Therapeutic shoes or inserts
- Lancet devices and lancets
- Blood sugar control solutions
Medicare Part B also covers some diabetes services, including:
- Nutrition therapy services
- Foot exams
- Glaucoma tests
- Diabetes self-management training
- Yearly eye exams
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover diabetes supplies and insulin
If you have diabetes, Medicare Advantage plans should cover the same diabetes supplies and services as Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans (sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C) are an alternative to Original Medicare that is sold by private insurers.
Every Medicare Advantage plan must provide the same hospital and medical benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B, and many Medicare Advantage plans may include coverage for prescription drugs that aren’t covered by Original Medicare.
Some Medicare Advantage include additional benefits such as:
- Vision coverage
- Dental coverage
- Hearing coverage
- Health and Wellness program benefits, such as gym memberships and SilverSneakers
Staring in 2019, Medicare Advantage plans may be able to offer even more additional benefits, including home delivered healthy meal options, which could help some beneficiaries with diabetes better manage their health and diet.
Some Medicare Part D prescription drug plans may also cover certain diabetes supplies, insulin and other diabetes medication.
You can compare Part D plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online in as little as 10 minutes when you visit MyRxPlans.com.1
Diabetic beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage have better outcomes than with Original Medicare
A July 2018 study showed that Medicare Advantage plan beneficiaries who have diabetes experienced 52.6 percent lower rate of overall complications than Original Medicare beneficiaries who have diabetes.
Medicare Advantage plan beneficiaries also experienced 5.7 percent lower overall costs for diabetes care than Original Medicare beneficiaries.
Find a Medicare Advantage plan that can help cover your diabetes supplies
You can get help comparing Medicare Advantage plans available in your area and find a plan that fits your unique health care needs.
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About the author
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.
Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
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