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April 2006
Medicare and Diabetes
These benefits can help you stay healthy and in control
“We encourage patients to go through these training classes every year, because over time not only does your body change, but also new treatment options become available,” Najarian says. “These classes will keep you aware of the latest treatments that will help you take charge of your condition and stay healthy.”
Both of the programs below require a doctor’s referral. Appointments are available weekdays at all three Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network sites.
Medicare Part B covers the following services:
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Diabetes Self-Management Training—This class teaches you the basics about diabetes as well as the latest on blood glucose monitoring, medications, nutrition, exercise and how to prevent and treat complications. Medicare covers 10 hours of training the first year and two hours of follow-up each year thereafter.
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Medical Nutrition Therapy—In this companion program to Self-Management Training, you get individualized visits with a registered dietitian to fine-tune a meal plan that matches your needs. You’ll learn how to take the information you’ve been taught in the classroom and adapt it to your own lifestyle. Medicare covers three hours the first year, two hours a year thereafter.
Medicare may also cover all or part of the cost of the following supplies and services. There may be limits on how much or how often you get these supplies.
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Insulin and insulin pumps, which could be covered as “durable medical equipment.”
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A foot exam every six months if you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy and loss of foot sensation, as long as you haven't seen a foot care professional for another reason between visits.
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A yearly eye exam for diabetic retinopathy.
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Annual glaucoma screening if you have diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, or African Americans age 50 and older.
- One
flu vaccine per flu season.
- One Pneumococcal
Pneumonia vaccine, which may be all you’ll ever need.
Medicare covers some diabetes supplies, such as blood glucose test strips, blood glucose monitors, lancet devices and lancets and glucose control solutions to check the accuracy of test strips and monitors. Not covered under Part B: syringes and insulin (unless it’s used with an insulin pump), insulin pens, needles, alcohol swabs, gauze, eye exams for glasses and routine or yearly physical exams. (See the “Medicare’s Drug Benefit” box above for what could be covered under Medicare’s new prescription plans.)
Want to Know More? See related article for information about the Medical Nutrition Therapy program or call 610-402-CARE.
To Learn More about Medicare and Medicare Drug Plans, visit www.medicare.gov.
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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