Diabetes Maintenance and Medicare Coverage
Helping Diabetics Remain Healthy
Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States and has no cure, but it can be managed with careful maintenance and diligent monitoring. Twenty-three percent (12.2 million) of people age 60 or older have diabetes. Medicare helps eligible people pay for the supplies, drugs and tests necessary to manage their disease and live full and productive lives.
A person must have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) or Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to receive covered services and supplies and he must have a doctor's order or referral for any services. He also must use a pharmacy or supplier that is enrolled in Medicare or he will have to pay the entire bill.
Medicare Part B covers diabetic screenings, diabetes self-management training and blood sugar self-testing equipment and supplies, such as blood sugar monitors, test strips and lancets. Part B also covers external insulin pumps and the insulin that the device uses, medical nutrition therapy, glaucoma tests and foot examinations and therapeutic shoes or inserts for people who have severe diabetic foot disease.
Medicare Part D covers anti-diabetic drugs for maintaining blood sugar and insulin that is not administered with an insulin pump. It also covers certain medical supplies for insulin administration, such as syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, gauze and inhaled insulin devices.
Original Medicare and Medicare drug plans do not cover eye exams for glasses, orthopedic shoes, routine or yearly physical exams or weight loss programs. Medicare plans differ as to how much consumers will need to pay through co-payments and deductibles.
To get more information about any Medicare coverage, contact the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) at 1-800-686-1578, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
