The Original Medicare plan covers
some costs
for people suffering from diabetes. Before you are even diagnosed, Medicare Part B covers testing for
diabetes if you have certain risk factors. If you are over 65, you are covered for a diabetes
test if you also are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or have a
history of gestational diabetes.
Medicare Part B also covers most of the common testing methods. Some of these are classified as
DME (durable medical equipment) and are subject to some restrictions, meaning your doctor and the
makers of the product need to be Medicare-approved.
Original Medicare rarely covers prescription drugs and insulin therapy for diabetes. Common prescription drugs for the
treatment of diabetes
include Metformin, Sulfonylureas, and Meglitinides.
Insulin therapy
is usually used for type 1 diabetes but is becoming an increasingly common option for type 2.
If you need prescription medications, you will want to look at a Medicare supplement plan (also known as Medigap). These are provided by private companies and allow you to expand your Medicare coverage to tailor it to your specific needs. Other options include a Medicare Advantage Plan or
Medicare Part D.
Because supplement plans are offered through private insurance companies, there are loads to choose from, making this process even more confusing. Make sure you do your research by looking up plans online and finding reviews and recommendations for people like you. Consumers Advocate, for example, is a great resource for this, providing reliable reviews for Medicare supplement plans across the country. Just input your postcode and they will give you the top-rated options in your area, as well as a comprehensive review of each one.
If the main thing you need is prescription drug coverage for your diabetes, you may want to look into Medicare Part D, which is the prescription drug program you can add to your Original Medicare. This can be a cheaper option than a full supplement plan. The
official Medicare website
is the best place for information on this.
Many Medicare Advantage Plans also offer drug prescriptions and could be the better option for some diabetes sufferers. The difference is that a Medicare Advantage Plan is something you get instead of Original Medicare, while both Part D and Medigap are things you add to it. The decision usually comes down to price, with Medicare Advantage being (but not always) cheaper.
You can usually only make changes to your Medicare plan during its official
Enrollment Period.
This runs from October 15th to December 7th every year. While this does mean that you will have to wait until the end of 2019 to make any changes, it also means you have plenty of time to get informed about your options. There is also such a thing as a Special Enrollment Period, which can occur in specific circumstances (e.g: you moving to another area of the country)
If you are still unsure about how Medicare can help you with your diabetes treatment, don't hesitate to get in touch with Medicare directly. They will be able to answer any questions you have and point you in the right direction. You don't have to bear the burden of your diabetes treatment by yourself, and you especially don't have to settle for a plan that doesn't serve you.
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