Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Test Strips?
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical insurance that covers Medicare-approved services — such as medically necessary treatment and preventive services — and certain other costs, like durable medical equipment. Medicare Part B is part of Original Medicare. covers 80% of the cost for diabetic test strips after you meet the Part B deductibleA deductible is an amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance company covers its portion of your medical bills. For example: If your deductible is $1,000, your insurance company will not cover any costs until you pay the first $1,000 yourself. .
- You pay the remaining 20% of the cost of the strips.
- If you use insulin, Medicare covers 300 test strips and 300 lancets every three months.
- If you don’t use insulin, Medicare covers 100 test strips and 100 lancets every three months.
- You have to order all supplies from a Medicare-approved supplier.
Medicare Part B, the part of Original Medicare that provides medical insurance, covers diabetes test strips and other supplies as durable medical equipment.
To receive coverage, your medical costs first need to exceed the annual Part B deductible. You’ll then pay 20% of the Medicare-approved cost of the diabetic strips as coinsurance. Learn more about diabetic glucose test strip costs below.
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What Is Durable Medical Equipment for Diabetes?
According to Medicare, durable medical equipment (DME) refers to any medical device that can be used repeatedly for a medical purpose in a home setting. For diabetics, DME can include:
- Blood sugar testing meters
- Blood sugar test strips
- Lancets and lancet holders
- Glucose control solutions
- Insulin pumps
- Therapeutic shoes or inserts
Using DME to monitor and manage your blood sugar levels is crucial for maintaining good health. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many problems, including heart failure, kidney disease, stroke, and nerve damage. The condition is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Test Strips?
Medicare covers diabetic test strips purchased from a participating supplier if you have diabetes. You’ll pay 20% of the approved cost after meeting your Part B deductible. Medicare covers the other 80%.
What Brands of Diabetic Test Strips Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare covers many common diabetic meters and their test strips, including:
- FreeStyle
- Abbott
- Arkray
- Accu-Chek
- AgaMatrix
- Bayer
- Contour
- Nova Max
- OneTouch
- TRUE METRIX
- Teco
- Bionime
- Embrace
How Many Diabetic Test Strips Does Medicare Cover?
People who use insulin can get up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets every three months. You can also get a new lancet device every six months.
If you don’t use insulin, you’ll be covered for 100 test strips and 100 lancets every three months, as well as a new lancet device every six months.
Medicare will cover more test strips if your doctor says it’s medically necessary.
Have questions about your Medicare coverage?
How Medicare Advantage Covers Diabetic Test Strips
Medicare Advantage plans, also called Part C, are sold by private insurance carriers and combine Part A and Part B. They’re required to have the same benefits as Original Medicare at minimum, but many provide additional coverage. For example, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans include Part D drug coverage.
Benefits differ by region, carrier, and policy. To know for sure how your Medicare Advantage plan covers diabetic test trips, consult your policy documents.
How to Get Glucose Meters and Test Strips Through Medicare
Medicare only covers diabetic test strips if you have a prescription from your doctor. Your prescription must include:
- Whether or not you have diabetes
- The type of blood sugar monitor you use and why
- Whether or not you use insulin
- How often you test your blood sugar
- How many test strips and lancets you use in a month
Once you have a prescription, you can order diabetic strips from a Medicare-approved pharmacy or medical equipment supplier. Medicare provides a list of approved suppliers. It is essential to obtain your supplies from an approved supplier; otherwise, Medicare will not cover your test strips.
When you need more diabetic meters and test strips, you’ll need to ask for refills. Additionally, you’ll need to get a new prescription from your doctor every 12 months.
How Much Diabetic Test Strips Cost With Medicare
Diabetic strips are not free with Original Medicare. You are still responsible for covering 20% of the cost. For example, if you got a three-month supply of strips from Medicare that costs $150, you’d pay $30 in coinsurance. You also need to pay your Part B premium each month and meet the annual Part B deductible before insurance starts to pay.
Medicare Advantage costs may differ based on your specific plan.
If you were buying your blood glucose testing strips out of pocket, you would pay around $50 for 90 OneTouch Verio test strips, which is about a month’s supply for many people. Over the course of a year, you might spend $600 on diabetic strips without insurance.
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Other Medicare Diabetes Benefits to Consider
Diabetic test strips aren’t the only services Medicare covers for diabetics. Here are a few other benefits for you to consider:
- Medical nutrition therapy services. You can work with a registered dietitian to learn what foods to eat and how to follow a customized diabetic meal plan.
- Foot exams and treatment. It’s common for diabetics to experience diabetes-related nerve damage in their feet. These exams help spot and treat problems.
- Glaucoma screenings. Diabetics have a higher risk of glaucoma, an eye disease that can cause blindness. You can have your eyes checked for glaucoma every 12 months.
- Therapeutic shoes or inserts. Certain people with diabetes may qualify for one pair of depth-inlay shoes with three inserts or one pair of custom-molded shoes each year.
Putting It All Together
If you have diabetes, Medicare covers diabetic meters and test strips. To receive coverage, you’ll pay monthly Part B premiums, meet the annual deductible, and pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
Sources
- Costs. Medicare.gov.
- Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services, & Prevention Programs. Medicare.gov.
- How Diabetes Can Affect Your Body. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- National Diabetes Statistics Report. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies. CMS.gov.
- Blood Glucose Test Strips. Edgepark.
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