Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Supplies?

Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) provides coverage for certain diabetic supplies when they're medically necessary. These supplies include:

- Blood glucose monitors and related supplies: such as test strips, lancets, and lancing devices used with the blood glucose monitor.

- Insulin: including human insulin, synthetic insulin, and long-acting insulin

- Insulin syringes: used to inject insulin

- Insulin pens: used to inject insulin

- Insulin pumps: used to deliver insulin

- Continuous glucose monitors: used to monitor blood glucose levels

- Diabetic shoes: Medicare Part B can help pay for this if you have certain conditions that affect your feet.

- Wound care items: Medicare Part B may cover wound dressings, bandages and topical creams for diabetic ulcers and other related conditions.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about Medicare coverage of diabetic supplies:

- Your doctor must approve the supplies you need. Medicare will only pay for supplies that your doctor prescribes and that are medically necessary.

- You may have to pay a deductible and/or coinsurance. Medicare Parts A and B have deductibles and coinsurance amounts that you may have to pay for covered diabetic supplies.

- Some supplies may be covered by Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan may cover diabetic supplies even if they're not covered by Original Medicare. Be sure to check with your plan to find out what's covered.

If you have any questions about Medicare coverage of diabetic supplies, be sure to contact your doctor or your Medicare plan.

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