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:
- Fills out all Medicare and insurance paperwork for you and submits the forms on your behalf.
- Charges nothing up front (besides co-payments and deductibles) and collects directly from Medicare and your insurance.
- 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.