Living with diabetes on Medicare: what’s covered

November is American Diabetes Month, and the blue circle is the worldwide symbol for diabetes awareness. If you or someone you love has diabetes, Medicare covers more of the day-to-day care than many people realize. Here are the basics worth knowing.

What Original Medicare (Part B) covers

• Diabetes screenings — up to two a year if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a history of high blood sugar.
• Testing supplies — blood sugar monitors, test strips, lancets, and continuous glucose monitors for people who qualify.
• Diabetes self-management training — classes that teach you how to manage your diabetes day to day.
• Medical nutrition therapy — time with a registered dietitian, with a doctor’s referral.
• Eye and foot care — a yearly eye exam for diabetic retinopathy, foot exams, and therapeutic shoes for people with diabetic foot problems.
• The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program — a proven program to help people with prediabetes avoid type 2 diabetes.

Your usual Part B deductible and coinsurance may apply to some of these.

Insulin is capped at $35 a month

Covered insulin costs no more than $35 for a month’s supply on Medicare drug plans, and insulin used with a traditional pump under Part B is capped at $35 a month too. Which insulins are covered still depends on your plan’s drug list, so it pays to check.

Why your plan choice matters

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans each have their own drug lists, pharmacy networks, and costs for supplies. A plan that worked last year may not be the best fit this year. Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7 — a good time to make sure your plan covers your medications, your testing supplies, and the doctors you see.