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Does Medicare cover diabetes equipment and supplies?
Diabetes is a medical condition where your body doesn’t correctly process food as energy. It affects your insulin, a hormone that converts sugar into glucose. People with diabetes either don’t respond to insulin or don’t produce it at all, causing sugars to build up in their blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes. People with diabetes typically need specific supplies and equipment to manage the condition, such as medication, insulin injections and glucose monitors. Medicare coverage for diabetes equipment and supplies will vary by plan, but certain supplies will be covered either by Medicare Part B, Part D or Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage). In this article, we’ll explain how Medicare coverage works for diabetes supplies and discuss the cost of these supplies and equipment without Medicare.
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What diabetes supplies are covered by Medicare?
Let’s walk through the diabetes supplies and equipment covered by Medicare Part B, Part C and Part D. First, it helps to understand the difference between these three plans.Medicare Part B: This plan covers both preventive services and necessary services or supplies needed to treat or diagnose medical conditions.Medicare Part C: Also known as Medicare Advantage, Part C is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These plans are offered by Medicare-approved private health insurance companies and are legally required to offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, and often include additional coverage and benefits as well.Medicare Part D: This is a federal program that provides Medicare beneficiaries with access to retail prescription drugs at affordable copays.
What supplies are covered by Part B?
- Insulin pumps and insulin
- Diabetes testing supplies, such as glucose monitors, glucose control solutions, lancets, lancet devices and blood glucose test trips
- Therapeutic shoes for people with severe diabetic foot disease (one pair per year)
What supplies are covered by Part C?
Part C must offer the same level of coverage as Original Medicare, so these plans will typically include all supplies covered by Part B. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer special needs plans (SNPs), which offer additional benefits for certain chronic conditions, like diabetes.
What supplies are covered by Part D?
Part D plans usually cover insulin medications and supplies needed to manage diabetes at home, such as injectable insulin, antidiabetic medications, syringes, gauzes, wipes and more. People with diabetes who have Medicare Part D coverage should make sure their prescribed medications and supplies are included on their plan’s list of approved drugs.
How much do diabetic supplies and equipment cost without Medicare?
While Medicare can help to cover diabetes-related equipment, these supplies can be costly for those without Medicare coverage. The average cost of diabetes supplies and equipment without Medicare will vary from person to person. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diagnosed diabetes spend around $9,601 on diabetes-related medical expenditures each year. They also typically spend 2.3 times more on medical costs than they would in the absence of a diabetes diagnosis.
Let SelectQuote help you find a Medicare plan that covers all your diabetes equipment and supplies.
At SelectQuote, we know having access to affordable diabetes care is important, and we’re here to help you find the right Medicare coverage for your needs. Our experienced licensed insurance agents can search a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in a matter of minutes, comparing quotes on your behalf to find the policy that makes the most sense for your needs.
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