Diabetes and Medicare

Medicare was originally designed to cover acute care and it did not cover any routine services like an annual physical, etc. However, after 2002 Medicare Part B now pays for routine diabetic services, supplies and education.

You suffer from diabetes or you have a friend or relative with diabetes? You think people with diabetes are doomed? You don’t know what you can do and what you can’t? Don’t miss the opportunity to find the answers to all your questions. Offered information will inform you about all aspects of diabetic problem.

Medicare was originally designed to cover acute care and it did not cover any routine services like an annual physical, mammogram, prostate cancer screenings, etc. Nevertheless, after 2002 Medicare Part B now pays for routine diabetic services, supplies and education.

Screening
Medicare covers up to two screening blood sugar tests each to check for diabetes for people with Medicare at risk for getting diabetes. You are supposed to be at risk if you have any of the following: high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels), obesity, or a history of high blood sugar.

Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medical nutrition therapy is meeting one on one with a registered dietician or other certified nutrition professionals to create the meal plan that helps you maintain blood glucose control. Your primary health care provider must give you a referral indicating a diagnosis of diabetes and a need for medical nutrition therapy. It also covers gestational diabetes. Medicare will pay 80 % of approved amount for up to ten hours of counseling with a registered dietician or other certified nutritional professional in an initial twelve month period.

Diabetes Self-management Education
Diabetes self-management education must be taught by a certified diabetes educator (CDE) or a registered nurse. Remember, that the ten hours is for either diabetes education, medical nutrition therapy or a combination of both. Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can get diabetes education sessions if you have a referral from your primary care physician and meet certain criteria.

Blood Glucose Monitoring Supplies
Medicare will cover the 80% of the costs of glucose meters, strips and lancets after your Part B deductible. For people that are insulin dependent, Medicare will cover 100 test strips and 100 lancets every month and one lancing device every 6 months.

Therapeutic Shoes
Therapeutic shoes are covered for Medicare beneficiaries with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes if they have a peripheral neuropathy.

Insulin Pumps
If you require an insulin pump to deliver small doses of insulin at regular intervals throughout the day and night, Medicare will cover 80% of the approved cost if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Of course, you need a prescription and you must have completed a diabetes education program.