There are two parts to Medicare coverage: Part A, which covers in-patient hospital care expenses and Part B, which covers medically necessary outpatient expenses. Diabetes testing supplies are deemed to be medically necessary under Medicare Part B. On January 1, 2005, Medicare increased its benefits for diabetic supplies. Medicare now covers yearly on-site testing and necessary supplies for the daily monitoring and managing of diabetes. Diabetics with full Medicare coverage can get glucose monitors, test strips and lancets for up to 80% off once they've met the yearly deductible. Many diabetic suppliers offer free testing supplies to Medicare recipients. To find out more about getting free diabetic supplies, talk to your doctor or your Medicare administrator.
Most people diagnosed with diabetes will need a diabetic meter (aka glucose meter) for daily monitoring of glucose levels. There are many different types of meters available, with differences in processing abilities and functionality. Since every glucose meter is different, you should talk to your physician about which one would work best for you. Things to think about when using a diabetic meter are the size of the tester, the speed and display properties, its ability to store test results, and the amount of blood required for a test. You should also consider the cost of the test strips, since this will be an ongoing cost associated with your daily glucose testing. Newer models have features such as alternative site testing, automatic timing, and error codes. There are also meters now for the visual impaired, featuring large display screens or spoken instructions.
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There are some meters available over the counter, without a prescription. To get a free diabetic meter, you will probably need a prescription from your doctor and a health insurance policy. There are at least 25 brands of meters available to the public for purchase. Some popular brands are FreeStyle, Accu-Check and OneTouch. All glucose meters on the market should be FDA approved. Medicare plans vary by state, so you should check with your Medicare administrator to find out which glucose meters are covered by your plan.
What Diabetic Meters are Approved by Medicare? NURSE JACKIE
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