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Diabetes Supplies and Services |
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Medicare Part B covers some diabetes supplies, including the following:
• Blood sugar (glucose) test strips
• Blood sugar monitor
• Lancet devices and lancets
• Glucose control solutions for checking test strip and monitor accuracy
There may be limits on how much or how often you get these supplies.
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The Medicare & You 2011 is the Official U.S. government Medicare Handbook with important information about the following:
What's new
Medicare costs
What Medicare covers
Health and prescription drug plans
Your Medicare rights
What you need to know in 2011:
- Pay less for Preventive Services
- Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers
- New Yearly Wellness Exam
- New Dates to Change Plans
- Help in the Prescription Drug Coverage Gap
- Fighting Medicare Fraud
- Ways to Manage your Health Information Online
- What you pay for Medicare
Download the Medicare & You 2011 guide now.
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There are two main ways to get your Medicare coverage:
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B), or
- Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)
Original Medicare is one of your health coverage choices. You will have Original Medicare unless you choose to join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan. You can see any doctor or provider that is enrolled in Medicare and accepting new patients. You don't need referrals.
In Original Medicare, if you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B, you get all the Part A and/or Part B-covered services listed under Medicare Basics - Part A and Medicare Basics - Part B.You must pay a monthly Part B premium to get Part B-covered services. You may also have to pay additional costs like a deductible, coinsurance, or copayment for most Medicare-covered services.
TIP: In addition to Original Medicare, you can get more coverage to help pay your health care costs:
A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
A Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Insurance Policy
You must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). These plans are available in most areas of the country. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will get your Part A and Part B-covered services through the Medicare Advantage Plan. The plan may also offer extra coverage, such as vision (may or may not include contact lens or eyeglasses), hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (usually for an extra cost). Some Medicare Advantage Plans have provider networks. This means you probably have to see doctors who belong to the plan or go to certain hosptials to get covered services (other than for emergency or urgently-needed care or medically-necessary dialysis). You may need referrals to see specialists.
Important! If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you don't need and can't use a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy. In most cases, you can't join a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each coverage choice. Click here to see a chart showing the difference between a Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement plan. |
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Medicare Part B covers medically-necessary services or covered preventive services you get from your doctor in his or her office, in a hospital, in a skilled nursing facility, in your home, or any other location.
In 2011, YOU pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount except for certain preventive services which are covered at 100%. |
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Dialysis (Kidney) Services and Supplies |
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Medicare covers some kidney dialysis services and supplies for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Inpatient dialysis treatments: Medicare Part A covers dialysis if you’re admitted to the hospital for special care.
Outpatient maintenance dialysis treatments: Medicare Part B covers dialysis if you need regular treatments, and you get treatments in any Medicare-approved dialysis facility.
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