"[Medicare] Part B covers blood sugar (also called blood glucose) self-testing equipment and supplies as durable medical equipment for all people with Medicare Part B who have diabetes, even if you don't use insulin.
Self-testing supplies include:
- Blood sugar monitors
- Blood sugar test strips
- Lancet devices and lancets
- Glucose control solutions for checking the accuracy of testing equipment and test strips
Part B covers the same type of blood sugar testing supplies for people with diabetes whether or not they use insulin. However, the amount of supplies that are covered varies.
-- If you use insulin, you may be able to get up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets every 3 months.
-- If you don’t use insulin, you may be able to get 100 test strips and 100 lancets
every 3 months." [with additional information from earlier versions of the same CMS publication]
Diabetic Supplies | If you use Insulin | If you do not use Insulin |
Glucose Meters and Monitoring Systems | 1 every 5 years | 1 every 5 years |
Test Strips | 100 per month (up to 300 per 3 months) |
100 every 3 months |
Lancing Device | 1 every 6 months | 1 every 6 months |
Lancets | 100 per month (up to 300 per 3 months) |
100 every 3 months |
In general, Medicare Part B (out-patient medical insurance) covers the services that may affect people who have diabetes. Medicare Part B also covers some preventive services for people who are at risk for diabetes. For instance, Glucose Meters, Meter replacement batteries, Test Strips, Lancets, Lancet Devices, Control Solutions are covered under your Medicare Part B.Practical note: You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to get services and supplies covered under Part B - and you must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) - or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage (MAPD) to get supplies covered under Medicare Part D.
Alternatively, Medicare Part D drug plans cover diabetes supplies used for injecting or inhaling insulin (for instance, syringes and insulin are covered under your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan).
Supply or Service
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What is covered under Medicare Part D or Part B?
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What you pay
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Anti-diabetic drugs
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Medicare Part D covers anti-diabetic drugs for maintaining blood sugar (glucose). [please see our Q1Rx Drug Finder for coverage of specific prescriptions Q1Rx.com]
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Your drug plan's coinsurance or copayment - your Medicare Part D deductible may also apply
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Diabetes supplies
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Medicare Part D covers certain medical supplies for administration of insulin (like syringes, insulin pens, needles, lancets, alcohol swabs, gauze, disposable insulin pumps, and inhaled insulin devices).
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Your drug plan's coinsurance or copayment - your Medicare Part D deductible may also apply |
Insulin* | Medicare Part D covers injectable insulin and insulin supplied through a disposable insulin pump. Starting in 2023, all insulin covered by a Part D plan will cost $35 or less for a 30-day supply through all parts of coverage. Medicare Part B (starting July 1, 2023) will cover a 30-day insulin supply delivered through a traditional insulin pump for $35. |
Your drug plan's coinsurance or copayment will not exceed $35 for a 30-day supply - your Medicare Part D deductible will not apply to insulin purchases. |
Diabetes screenings
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Medicare Part B covers these screenings if your doctor determines you’re at risk for diabetes. You may be eligible for up to 2 diabetes screenings each year.
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No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible - generally, 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit
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Traditional Insulin pumps* | Medicare Part B covers external traditional (non-disposable) insulin pumps and the insulin that the device uses under durable medical equipment for people who meet certain conditions. |
20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible |
Diabetes self- management training
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Medicare Part B covers outpatient training for people at risk for complications from diabetes or recently diagnosed with diabetes to teach them to manage their diabetes. Your doctor or other health care provider must provide a written order to a certified diabetes self-management education program.
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20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible
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Diabetes equipment and supplies
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Medicare Part B covers home blood sugar (glucose) monitors under durable medical equipment and supplies used with the equipment, including blood sugar test strips, lancet devices, and lancets. There may be limits on how much or how often you get these supplies.
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20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible
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