What Medicare Covers For Diabetes Supplies

　What Diabetes Supplies does Medicare Cover?

Medicare Part B covers blood sugar self-testing supplies, therapeutic shoes and insulin pumps.

Self-Testing　
Blood sugar self-testing supplies covered include: glucose monitors, blood sugar test strips, lancets, lancing devices and glucose control solutions for checking the accuracy of diabetes test equipment.

The types of testing supplies covered by Medicare are the same whether you use insulin or not, but the amount of supplies covered varies. Those using insulin are covered for a higher number of test strips and lancets per month. In either case, diabetes patients can receive increased coverage of testing supplies. If your doctor deems it medically necessary to test more often than the default coverage would allow, Medicare will allow additional test strips and lancets.

In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay only 20% of the Medicare approved amount after your annual Part B deductible for covered supplies.



　
Therapeutic Shoes　
If you have Medicare Part B, diabetes and meet certain conditions for coverage, Medicare will cover medically necessary therapeutic shoes.

Medicare covers the following types of shoes: one pair of depth-inlay shoes and three pairs of inserts per year, or for those who can't wear depth-inlay shoes because of a foot deformity, one pair of custom-molded shoes (including inserts) per year and two additional pairs of inserts.
In some cases, Medicare may also cover separate inserts or shoe modifications instead of inserts.

In order to qualify for Medicare coverage of therapeutic shoes, the doctor treating your diabetes must certify that you meet all of the following conditions:

1. You must be diagnosed with diabetes

2. You must have at least one of the following conditions in one or both feet:

• partial or complete amputation
• previously diagnosed foot ulcers
• calluses that could lead to foot ulcers
• diabetes related nerve damage with signs of problems with calluses
• poor circulation
• foot deformity

3. You must be being treated under a comprehensive diabetes care plan and need therapeutic shoes and/or inserts because of diabetes.

Further, Medicare requires that a podiatrist or other qualified doctor prescribe the shoes, and that a doctor or other qualified individual (pedorthist, orthotist, or prosthetist) fit and provide the shoes.

In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay only 20% after your annual Part B deductible.
　
　
Insulin Pumps　
External Insulin pumps and insulin may be covered for some people with Medicare who have diabetes and meet certain conditions. If you need an insulin pump, your doctor will prescribe one for you.

In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved price of both pump and insulin after the annual Part B deductible.

Check with your doctor about insulin and pump suppliers.