More than nine million people over 65 have diabetes. Whether you are enrolled in traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare covers a range of services and supplies for people with diabetes. It also covers annual and sometimes twice annual diabetes screenings for people with a variety of conditions who are likely to develop diabetes.
If you think you might need a diabetes screening, speak with your doctor. Medicare will likely cover the full cost of an annual diabetes screening if you have hypertension, high cholesterol, low glucose tolerance, have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight. And if you have a pre-diabetes diagnosis—higher than normal blood sugar levels—Medicare will cover the full cost of a diabetes screening twice a year so long as you see a doctor who takes assignment, accepts Medicare’s payment as payment in full.
If you have diabetes, Medicare will cover a range of supplies, including a glucose monitor, lancets and test strips, as well as an insulin pump and insulin if you need it. Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 for more information. If you are enrolled in a Medicare HMO or other private Medicare plan, call the plan.
Medicare will also sometimes cover foot care and therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes. And, for some people, Medicare covers diabetic self-training and education. Talk to your doctor about these services and supplies. For more details on Medicare coverage of diabetes services and supplies, check out this fact sheet from Medicare Rights Center.
For more information on Medicare coverage of preventive care services, click here. And, if you have a chance, read this post on foods with added sugar. And, this post on one little known way to get free help losing weight.