Medicare Coverage of the Home Blood Glucose Monitor and Related Diabetic Supplies

If you are an insulin-treated diabetic enrolled in Medicare B and your doctor has prescribed a home blood glucose monitor, you may qualify for Medicare reimbursement for the monitor and related diabetic supplies.

Coverage
In order to qualify for Medicare reimbursement, you must be insulin treated. This means that you are taking daily injections of insulin. Insulin does not exist in an oral form. If you are on oral medication only, you do not qualify for reimbursement from Medicare.

Also, your doctor must prescribe the home blood glucose monitor and determine that you or another responsible individual are capable of being trained to operate the device.

The monitor itself must be designed for home use in order to be covered under this benefit of Medicare B.

If you have a severe visual impairment, you may qualify for reimbursement of a monitor with special features for the visually impaired. If this is the case, have your doctor certify the degree of your visual impairment and present this documentation to your supplier when you purchase the monitor.

WHAT IS COVERED
If your claim is approved by Medicare, you can receive reimbursement for the monitor, test strips, lancets, and a spring powered device.

Once you own a home blood glucose monitor, a claim for your test strips and lancets should be submitted to Medicare on a monthly basis as you purchase your supplies for the month.

The following diabetic supplies ARE NOT covered by Medicare:

Insulin Syringes Needles
Alcohol Peroxide Alcohol Wipes
Betadine pHisohex Betadine Wipes
Iodine Wipes Cotton Swabs Urine Test Strips

Source: Medicare Supplier Bulletin, Region B DMERC. June, 1996. Other regions will be featured in future newsletter editions.

Return to Main Page, Wound Care Institute Newsletter, Fall 1996