- Glucose Test Strips
- Glucose Monitor Kits
- Diabetic Lancets and Lancing Devices
- Testing Accessories (i.e. Control Solutions, Log Books, Carrying Cases, Alcohol Swabs, Diabetes Software, Meter Cables, Glucometer Batteries and other supplies that you may need for home testing)
- Urinalysis/Ketone Test Strips
- Diabetic Foot Care (Diabetic Shoes, Foot Creams, Insoles, Socks and other diabetic foot related products)
- Diabetic Food (i.e. Sugar free foods for diabetics)
- OTC Pharmacy Items (i.e. Glucose Tablets, Lab Test Kits, etc.)
- Dietary Supplements for Diabetics
- Blood Pressure Monitors (Glucose Meters)
- Insulin
- Pens, Needles and Syringes
- Insulin Pump Supplies
Medicare and Diabetes Supplies
Medicare will cover the cost of some diabetes supplies. In order for them to be covered, your doctor must prescribe the supplies.
Some of the covered supplies include:
- Glucose testing monitors
- Glucose test strips
- Lancet devices
- Glucose control solutions used to check the accuracy of test strips and monitors
- Insulin is covered ONLY if used with an external insulin pump
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and your Original Medicare Part B deductible applies.
NOTE: Insulin and certain medical supplies used to inject insulin, such as syringes and some oral diabetes drugs, may be covered under Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Getting Your Diabetes Supplies
It’s best to order your supplies from a Medicare-approved supplier. Although you can buy supplies in a store, be sure the store is Medicare-approved.
It’s best to order your supplies from a Medicare-approved supplier. Although you can buy supplies in a store, be sure the store is Medicare-approved.
Medicare Advantage Plans
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it’s important that you check with your individual plan coverage to see how to get your diabetes supplies. You may not have to pay anything out-of-pocket, but there may be rules that you must follow.
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it’s important that you check with your individual plan coverage to see how to get your diabetes supplies. You may not have to pay anything out-of-pocket, but there may be rules that you must follow.
Diabetes Supplies and Services
The following is a list of the diabetic supplies and services that Medicare covers. However, check with Medicare (www.medicare.gov) to ensure you have the latest list of approved supplies and services.Diabetic Supplies: What Medicare Covers
1. Self-testing equipment and supplies:
Medicare Part B covered diabetes supplies: Coverage for glucose monitors, test strips, and lancets.
Who is covered: All people with Medicare who have diabetes (insulin users and non-users).
Medicare covers the same supplies for people with diabetes whether or not they use insulin. These include glucose testing monitors, blood glucose test strips, lancet devices and lancets, and glucose control solutions. There may be some limits on supplies or how often you get them. For more information about diabetic supplies, call your Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier.
How to get your diabetes equipment and supplies: To get your diabetes equipment and supplies under Medicare, you need a prescription from your doctor. The prescription should say:
- You have been diagnosed with diabetes.
- How many test strips and lancets you need in a month.
- What kind of meter you need. For example, if you need a special meter for vision problems, the doctor should say that and state the medical reason why you need a special meter.
- Whether you use insulin or not.
- How often you should test your blood sugar.
- Ask your doctor or health care provider if regular blood sugar testing is right for you.
- You need a prescription from your doctor to get your diabetes equipment and supplies under Medicare.
- Learn the correct way to use your blood sugar meter properly. Your pharmacist, doctor, diabetes educator, or another health care provider can help you.
- Keep track of your blood sugar readings and share them with your doctor or health care provider at regular visits.
- Do not accept shipments of diabetes equipment and supplies that you did not ask for.
2. Therapeutic shoes: Medicare also covers therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes.
Medicare coverage: Medicare covers depth-inlay shoes, custom-molded shoes and shoe inserts for people with diabetes who qualify under Medicare Part B.
How you qualify: Your doctor must certify that you:
Medicare coverage: Medicare covers depth-inlay shoes, custom-molded shoes and shoe inserts for people with diabetes who qualify under Medicare Part B.
How you qualify: Your doctor must certify that you:
- Have diabetes.
- Have one or more of the following conditions in one or both feet:
- history of partial or complete foot amputation
- history of previous foot ulcers
- history of callus that could lead to ulcers
- peripheral neuropathy with signs that you have problems with calluses
- poor circulation
- foot deformity
- Are being treated under a comprehensive diabetes care plan and need therapeutic shoes and/or inserts because of diabetes.
3. Referrals for more information (DMERC)
If you have questions about durable medical equipment, including diabetic supplies, call your Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier.
Diabetic Services: What Medicare Covers
1. Diabetes self-management training
Medicare Part B covered preventive services: Diabetes self-management training.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
2. Medical nutrition therapy services
Medicare coverage: Medical nutrition therapy services are covered for people with diabetes (or kidney disease) when referred by a doctor. These services can be given by a registered dietician or nutrition professional and include diet counseling and therapy services to help you manage your diabetes.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
Medicare coverage: Medical nutrition therapy services are covered for people with diabetes (or kidney disease) when referred by a doctor. These services can be given by a registered dietician or nutrition professional and include diet counseling and therapy services to help you manage your diabetes.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
3. Flu and pneumococcal pneumonia shots (vaccinations)
Medicare Part B covered preventive services:
Flu Shot - Once a year in the fall or winter.
Pneumococcal Pneumonia Shot - One shot may be all you ever need. Ask your doctor.
Who is covered: All people with Medicare.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay nothing for flu and pneumoccocal pneumonia shots if the health care provider accepts assignment.
Medicare Part B covered preventive services:
Flu Shot - Once a year in the fall or winter.
Pneumococcal Pneumonia Shot - One shot may be all you ever need. Ask your doctor.
Who is covered: All people with Medicare.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay nothing for flu and pneumoccocal pneumonia shots if the health care provider accepts assignment.
4. Glaucoma screening
Medicare Part B covered preventive services: Once every 12 months. Must be done or supervised by an eye doctor who is legally allowed to do this service in your state.
Who is covered: People with Medicare who are at high risk for glaucoma, including people with diabetes or family history of glaucoma.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
Medicare Part B covered preventive services: Once every 12 months. Must be done or supervised by an eye doctor who is legally allowed to do this service in your state.
Who is covered: People with Medicare who are at high risk for glaucoma, including people with diabetes or family history of glaucoma.
What you pay: In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
5. Referrals for more information (Medicare Carrier)
If you have general questions about Medicare Part B, call your Medicare Carrier.
Medicare rights
As a Medicare patient, you have certain guaranteed rights. You have them whether you are in the Original Medicare Plan, a Medicare managed care plan (like an HMO), or a Medicare Private Fee-for-Service plan. These rights and protections are described in your Medicare & You handbook and include the right to appeal any decision about your Medicare services. For more detailed information about your rights and protections, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get a free copy of the booklet Your Medicare Rights and Protections.
Medicare rights
As a Medicare patient, you have certain guaranteed rights. You have them whether you are in the Original Medicare Plan, a Medicare managed care plan (like an HMO), or a Medicare Private Fee-for-Service plan. These rights and protections are described in your Medicare & You handbook and include the right to appeal any decision about your Medicare services. For more detailed information about your rights and protections, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get a free copy of the booklet Your Medicare Rights and Protections.
For more information, please visit the Medicare.gov website (www.medicare.gov).
Note: Go to this Medicare website link for a PDF copy of Medicare Coverage of Diabetes & Supplies.
Diabetic Shoes
The foot is especially affected by diabetes because:
- diabetes damages the nerves (damage can occur to the foot and not be detected) - this is called peripheral neuropathy.
- diabetes also affect the circulation. Poor circulation can affect the ability of the body to heal when damage occurs.
- those with diabetes are more prone to infection - the body's processes that normally fight infection respond slower and often have trouble getting to infections due to the poor circulation.
- diabetes can also affect the joints, making them stiffer
- other diabetes complications that can also affect the foot, for example, kidney disease (affects proteins that are involved in wound healing) and eye disease (can't see the foot to check for damage).
As a consequence of these factors a number of things can go wrong:
- the foot may get damaged and you do not know about (for example, your shoe rubs a sore onto a toe that gets infected - you can not feel it because of the peripheral neuropathy - you can not heal very well due to the infection and poor circulation).
- foot ulcer are common (see below)
- infections can spread
- the ultimate of this process is an amputation. Diabetes is the main cause of amputations.
- Charcot's joints is another complication of diabetes in the foot, especially if peripheral neuropathy is present - the neuropathy cause a numbness (imagine spraining your ankle and not knowing you have done this. You will continue to walk on it - imagine the damage that this would do.
The Do's and Don'ts of Foot Care
If you have diabetes, there are a lot of things you need to do to prevent the problems from developing in your foot:
If you have diabetes, there are a lot of things you need to do to prevent the problems from developing in your foot:
1) Wash your feet daily (use a mild soap and lukewarm water). Dry very carefully, especially between the toes. It often helps to use talcum powder to dust the foot to further reduce moisture, however be certain to remove all the powder after dusting, as it should not leave a residue between the toes. If the skin is dry, use a good emollient - BUT, not between the toes).
2) Inspect your foot daily (check sores, cuts, bruises, changes to the toenails; use a mirror to look under the foot if you can not see it).
3) Look after your health (loose weight; stop smoking; exercise; reduce your alcohol consumption)
4) Look after your feet:
2) Inspect your foot daily (check sores, cuts, bruises, changes to the toenails; use a mirror to look under the foot if you can not see it).
3) Look after your health (loose weight; stop smoking; exercise; reduce your alcohol consumption)
4) Look after your feet:
- cut toenails straight across and never cut into the corners; use an emery board or file on sharp corners.
- do not try to remove corns and callus yourself - see a Podiatrist for this; NEVER use commercial corn cures - this is so important in those with diabetes as it is so easy to damage the skin.
- avoid going barefoot, even in your own home (this lessens the chance of some accidental damage)
5) Fitting of footwear is very important. Poorly fitted shoes are a common cause of problems in the foot of those with diabetes. Some advice:
- get your feet measured each time you buy new shoes (foot size and shape change over time).
- make sure the shoe fitter is experienced.
- new shoes should be comfortable when purchased and should not need a "break-in" period.
- they should fit both the length and width of the foot, with plenty of room for the toes.
- avoid shoes with high heels, pointed toes or tight around the toes (these put too much pressure on parts of the foot and can contribute to ulcers)
6) See a Podiatrist, at least annually.
- Podiatrists have an extremely important role to play in the prevention and management of complications of the foot in those with diabetes. All those who are at risk for a problem should have that risk status assessed at least annually (more if the risk is greater).
- The Podiatrist should communicate this risk status to other members of the health care team. Advice should be given on how to reduce the chance of damage happening, what to do to prevent it and what to do if something does go wrong.
- Regular foot care from a Podiatrist is a key way to prevent problems from developing in those who are at risk.
- When something does go wrong, see a Podiatrist immediately. Waiting a "few days to see what happens" before seeing someone may be the difference between a good and poor outcome. The sooner treatment is started the better.
Note: For more information about foot care, and neuropathy, get the Nerve Health & Neuropathy ebook. If you need diabetic shoes, contact our office for a referral.
No comments:
Post a Comment