Medicare and People with Diabetes

Medicare is available to most people ages sixty-five years and older. It is also available to people younger than sixty-five with certain illnesses and disabilities. If you have high risk factors for diabetes and are eligible for Medicare benefits, then you may be eligible for Fasting Blood Glucose tests.

High Risk Factors

There are signs that you may be at risk for diabetes, and some are more severe than others.
If you have any of the following high risk factors, then you will be eligible for Medicare-covered testing:

• hypertension
• obesity
• a history of high blood sugar
• a history of high or abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Medicare also has a list of questions that may indicate that testing is covered. If you answer yes to two or more of these questions, then you are likely to qualify qualify:

1. Are you sixty-five years of age or older?
2. Are you are overweight?
3. Do you have a family history of diabetes?
4. Do you have a history of gestational diabetes

Diabetes Testing Equipment

There are many different items that you will need to buy regularly if you have diabetes. For example, you will need to have a glucose monitor, testing strips, and lancets. In certain cituations, other equipment like insulin pumps and blood sugar control solutions, and even special therapeutic shoes are necessary.

If you aren’t sure if Medicare covers some of your diabetes equipment, you should check because Medicare may not cover everything. For example, insulin is only covered if you use an external insulin pump. On the other hand, if you have Medicare Part D, you may be able to get some insulin and other medical supplies covered, as well as other oral diabetic drugs. If you aren’t sure if your medication is coverage, check with the Medicare guidelines, or on the Medicare website.

Your Cost and Other Details

Because diabetes treatment is covered under your Part B coverage, you will be able to get your diabetes coverage at twenty percent of the Medicare-approved amount. Of course, that kicks in after you’ve paid your yearly deductible under Part B.
Medicare also covers self-management training, which is available to people at risk for complications involved with diabetes. In order to get this training, you must have an order from a doctor or healthcare provider. Just like your other diabetes treatment, you will pay twenty percent after your yearly deductible.