2026: Medicare coverage for people with diabetes

Roughly one in three Americans aged 65 and older (between 29% and 33%) has diabetes. Whether you are enrolled in traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan–a health plan administered by a corporate insurer– Medicare covers a range of services and supplies for people with diabetes. It also covers annual, and sometimes twice-annual, diabetes screenings for people with a variety of conditions who are likely to develop diabetes.

If you have diabetes, check with your doctor to ensure your medication regimen is appropriate. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that many older adults with diabetes are not getting the medication tweaks they should be getting.

Also, keep in mind that Medicare covers a range of supplies, including a glucose monitor, lancets and test strips, as well as an insulin pump and insulin if you need it. Visit Medicare.gov or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 for more information.

Medicare covers a glaucoma screening once a year. The screening must be performed or supervised by an eye doctor who is licensed to provide this service in your state.

Medicare will also sometimes cover foot care and therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes. And, for some people, Medicare covers diabetic self-training and education. Talk to your doctor about these services and supplies. For more details on Medicare coverage of diabetes services and supplies, check out this fact sheet from Medicare Rights Center.

If you think you might need a diabetes screening, speak with your doctor. Medicare should cover the full cost of an annual diabetes screening if you have hypertension, high cholesterol, low glucose tolerance, have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight. And if you have a pre-diabetes diagnosis—higher than normal blood sugar levels—Medicare will cover the full cost of a diabetes screening twice a year so long as you see a doctor who “takes assignment,”a doctor who accepts Medicare’s payment as payment in full.

For more information on Medicare coverage of preventive care services, click here.

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