Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body handles sugar, or glucose. Type 1 diabetes often presents in childhood as a result of the pancreas producing no or little insulin. Type 2 diabetes presents when your body becomes resistant to insulin or produces too little insulin. There is only one diabetes supply that is free under Medicare, but other supplies are covered up to 80 percent. Other diabetes supplies may be free if you also have supplemental health insurance and have met your deductibles.
Screening
Diabetes screening tests are free for at-risk people with Medicare. Persons are considered at-risk if they have high blood pressure, a history of high blood sugar or a history of abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Obesity and other risk factors could qualify you for up to two screenings each year.
Glucose Monitors
Medicare covers 80 percent of the cost of a glucose monitor for persons covered under Medicare Part B, after you have met the annual deductible. Medicare Part B is medical insurance offered by Medicare that covers medically necessary services such as doctors' services, home health services and outpatient care. The remaining 20 percent may be covered by your supplemental health insurance policy, after meeting its deductible. If you have diabetes, it's important that you monitor your daily glucose levels. A glucose meter may be used repeatedly to test your blood sugar. Some monitors store the information digitally so that your doctor can download the numbers during your visit. Glucose monitors are not a recurring cost aside from upgrading outdated models.
Test Strips
The cost of test strips are covered 80 percent by Medicare Part B, after meeting the deductible. A supplemental insurance policy will likely cover the remaining 20 percent, after meeting the deductible. Each time you monitor your blood sugar levels, you will use a test strip. If the drop of blood on the strip was not sufficient for a reading, you will need to use another test strip to complete the process. Test strips are a recurring cost for persons monitoring blood sugar levels.
Lancet
Lancets are diabetes supplies that are also covered 80 percent by Medicare. As with the test strips and the glucose monitor, you can offset the recurring costs of lancets with a supplemental insurance policy. After meeting both the Medicare and the supplemental deductibles, lancets are free. Lancets are used each time you prick your finger to obtain a droplet of blood for the test strip.
