Medicare benefits for people living with diabetics explained here

Here’s some wonderful news: If you are on Medicare and have diabetes, the cost of your diabetes testing supplies may be covered by Medicare! That could mean huge savings if you’re currently paying out-of-pocket for testing supplies like glucose test strips, lancets and control solution.

Medicare Part B basic info

Medicare has two parts:

• Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for hospital care.
• Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for doctors, outpatient care and some other medical services that Part A does not cover.

Medicare Part B is optional, so enrollment is your choice and premium payments are your responsibility. Medicare Part B has an annual deductible and a coinsurance of 20 percent for most covered services. So, for covered diabetic testing supplies, Medicare Part B pays 80 (%) percent of the Medicare approved costs.

Medicare Part B and diabetic supplies

Recognizing how important it is for people with diabetes to check their blood sugar throughout the day, Medicare covers the following diabetes testing supplies:

• Blood glucose meters (monitors) and batteries
• Glucose Test Strips
• Lancets and Lancing Devices
• Control Solution
• Insulin pump supplies

You may qualify for this coverage if you meet these two simple requirements:

• You are on Medicare
• You have a doctor’s order to test your blood sugar

Using your Medicare Part B benefits safely

Most seniors living with diabetes choose to get their diabetes supplies from a “Medicare participating provider.” This could be a local pharmacy or medical supply store. For added convenience, you can choose to have your diabetes supplies delivered directly to your home by an Internet or mail-order diabetic supply company.

As you consider your options, be sure to look for a supplier who at least provides the following services:

1. Fills out all medicare and insurance paperwork for you and submits the forms on your behalf.
2. Charges nothing up front (besides co-payments and deductibles) and collects directly from medicare and your insurance.
3. In the case of Internet /mail-order, sends your supplies according to your doctor's instructions right to your door with no charge for shipping.