Medicare Begins Covering Glucose Test Supplies

BOSTON — July, 1998 — Beginning July 1, Medicare began covering blood glucose test strips, lancets and meters for people with diabetes — whether they use insulin to control their diabetes or not.

This change in coverage, which is great news for those with diabetes who are covered by Medicare, is the result of federal legislation passed last summer to expand Medicare services for the four million senior citizens diagnosed with diabetes.

The change of coverage for blood glucose testing supplies which went into effect in July applies to people with either Medicare Part B or Medicare managed care coverage. Deductibles and co-pays for Medicare policies may apply to these benefits.

In order for Medicare to cover these benefits, a doctor must prescribe blood glucose testing supplies for the patient and document how often the patient needs to test on the prescription. An individual's Medicare policy may define how many test strips and lancets an individual is entitled to each month.

For more information on this, contact your health care provider, or the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-342-2383 or visit the ADA's web site at http://www.diabetes.org/.