Diabetes
Does Medicare Cover Diabetes Supplies, Services, and Medications?
Medicare covers many diabetes medications, services, and supplies, including blood sugar test strips and continuous glucose monitors. But you may have to pay a deductible, copayments, or coinsurance for some services and supplies.
Medicare Part B covers supplies, services, and preventive screenings for diabetes, while Part D covers diabetes medications and some supplies not covered by Part B.
Both Medicare Part B and Part D cover certain insulin costs. What each plan covers is based on how the insulin is administered.
More than 16 million Americans age 65 and older have diabetes. Fortunately, Medicare provides coverage for diabetes care through Part B (medical insurance) and Part D (prescription medication coverage). For 2025, the standard premium for Part B is $185, while premiums and deductibles vary among Part D plans.
You can also get coverage for diabetes care through Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C. These private insurance plans combine Part A, Part B, and usually Part D benefits.
Medicare covers most diabetes supplies and equipment under Part B. However, some supplies are covered under Part D.
Medicare Part B covers a portion of at-home blood sugar testing supplies and items that are considered durable medical equipment. After meeting your Part B deductible, you are typically responsible for paying 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these supplies and pieces of equipment.
Some examples of diabetes supplies covered by Medicare Part B are:
Blood sugar test strips
Blood sugar monitors
Glucose control solutions
Lancets
Lancet devices
Nondisposable insulin pumps
Therapeutic shoes and inserts are covered, too, if you meet certain requirements.
Part D covers diabetes supplies used to administer insulin that aren’t covered by Part B. You will likely be responsible for coinsurance or copays when accessing these supplies, and your Part D deductible may apply.
Some of the insulin-related diabetes supplies covered by Medicare Part D are:
Needles
Syringes
Gauze
Alcohol swabs
Medicare does not cover medications taken solely for weight loss. However, you may be eligible for coverage if you meet these requirements.
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Part B covers a portion of services related to condition management for people with diabetes. It also covers preventative services for people who are determined to be at risk for diabetes. But you may have to pay your annual Part B deductible, which is $257 for 2025, before Medicare provides coverage for these services.
The chart below lists services, screenings, and types of training that are covered by Medicare Part B if you meet certain requirements.
Type of service, screening, or training | What you pay out of pocket |
|---|---|
No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible | |
No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible | |
20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay your annual Part B deductible | |
No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible | |
No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible | |
No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible | |
20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay your annual Part B deductible | |
“Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit | No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible |
Yearly wellness visit | No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible |
No coinsurance, copayment, or Part B deductible |
Both Medicare Part B and Part D cover certain types of insulin, based on how they’re administered. Part B covers insulin used in external durable insulin pumps. If you have a Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plan that fully covers your Part B coinsurance, your out-of-pocket cost for this type of insulin should be $0.
Part D covers insulin administered with disposable insulin pumps and in other ways, such as with injections. Part D also covers a variety of other diabetes medications. Check your plan’s formulary to find out how specific medications are covered.
In July 2023, the Inflation Reduction Act capped out-of-pockets costs for a 1-month supply of insulin at $35 for Medicare recipients. It also made it so that recipients don’t have to pay a deductible before having coverage for insulin.
In 2025, an annual cap of $2,000 on out-of-pocket prescription medication costs will go into effect for people with Medicare Part D.
You may encounter Medicare coverage limits for diabetes supplies, services, and medications. These limits could be on the number and frequency of tests, amount of equipment, or length of training services that are covered.
After an initial diabetes screening test, your healthcare professional will determine if you need a second test. Medicare may pay for up to two diabetes screening tests every 12 months. Medicare covers fasting blood glucose tests and other blood glucose tests.
Foot exams from a podiatrist or other foot care specialist are covered once a year. Visits with a foot care professional for other issues are typically not covered. Medicare may cover more visits if you’ve had a noninjury amputation. You may also get more covered visits if your feet change in appearance, indicating a serious foot condition.
To be covered, glaucoma tests must be done or supervised by a qualified eye doctor. Medicare covers these tests once every 12 months.
Medicare covers up to 10 hours of initial diabetes self-management training — 1 hour of individual training and 9 hours of group training. You may also qualify for up to 2 hours of covered follow-up training each year. You must complete your initial training no more than 12 months from the start date for it to be covered.
Your healthcare professional must prescribe you the training and an accredited individual or program must provide the services for them to be covered.
A healthcare professional must prescribe you medical nutrition therapy for it to be covered by Medicare.
Medical nutrition therapy is available at many federally qualified health centers. But you may also be able to access it via telehealth. As long as the therapy is provided by a registered dietitian or other healthcare professional, Medicare may cover the telehealth visits.
Medicare covers at-home blood sugar testing equipment and supplies with a prescription from your healthcare professional. If you take insulin, you typically get coverage for up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets every 3 months. If you don’t take insulin, you typically get coverage for 100 test strips and 100 lancets every 3 months, though you may be able to get coverage for more. To qualify for coverage, your healthcare professional must deem the supplies medically necessary, and you must meet other requirements.
You may also be able to get coverage for a continuous glucose monitor and related supplies if your healthcare professional confirms the following:
You need to check your blood sugar four or more times a day.
You use an insulin pump or get three or more insulin injections each day.
You routinely visit your healthcare professional.
If you live in certain regions of the country, you may have to use specific durable insulin pump suppliers for Medicare to help pay for the costs of your equipment.
If you need therapeutic shoes or inserts, Medicare will cover 80% of the approved amount after you meet your yearly Part B deductible. Each year, you may have coverage for:
A pair of depth-inlay shoes and three pairs of inserts
A pair of custom-made shoes and three pairs of inserts, if you have a foot deformity
You must need therapeutic shoes and/or inserts because of diabetes for Medicare to cover the costs. You must also be on a comprehensive diabetes care plan and have at least one of these conditions:
Nerve damage related to diabetes, accompanied by signs of problems with the calluses
Calluses that could lead to foot ulcers
Completely or partially amputated foot
Poor circulation
Past foot ulcers
Deformed foot
A podiatrist or other qualified healthcare professional must prescribe you the shoes for them to be covered. And a healthcare professional or other qualified individual must provide and fit the shoes.
Covered by Part B, the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is designed to help people prevent Type 2 diabetes. The program begins with 6 months of weekly group sessions, which feature:
Training about making realistic exercise changes
Tips to increase exercise
Weight-control strategies
Guidance from a specially trained coach
Peer support
After you complete the core sessions, you get six monthly follow-up sessions. To qualify for the MDPP, all of the following must apply:
You have Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage Plan.
You have a fasting plasma glucose of 110-125 mg/dL, 2-hour plasma glucose of 140-199 mg/dL, or hemoglobin A1C in the 5.7%-6.4% range within 12 months of attending the first session.
You have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more (or 23 or more for Asian populations).
You do not have end-stage renal disease.
You do not have a history of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
You have never participated in MDPP sessions before.
If you qualify for the MDPP, you pay nothing for the services. You can attend MDPP sessions in person or virtually (through the end of 2027) through an approved MDPP supplier.
Medicare Part B covers several brands of FDA-approved glucometers. A glucometer must be deemed medically necessary by a healthcare professional to be covered, however.
While Medicare does not endorse specific brands, some popular options that are typically covered are Dexcom, Eversense, and FreeStyle glucometers. To qualify for coverage, you must meet specific criteria and demonstrate that you are sufficiently trained to use the device prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Medicare Part B covers several brands of FDA-approved glucometers. A glucometer must be deemed medically necessary by a healthcare professional to be covered, however.
While Medicare does not endorse specific brands, some popular options that are typically covered are Dexcom, Eversense, and FreeStyle glucometers. To qualify for coverage, you must meet specific criteria and demonstrate that you are sufficiently trained to use the device prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Yes, there are patient assistance programs from manufacturers that provide free or discounted supplies. And you may be able to find supplies for free or on a sliding-scale basis at federally qualified health centers and community clinics.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provides resources and information to help people access affordable supplies. You may also be able to reduce your costs for medications and supplies with the help of nonprofits, such as the Diabetes Foundation, and discount programs like GoodRx coupons.
Medicare Part D covers various injectable insulins, inhaled insulin, and the necessary supplies for their use. The cost of a 1-month supply of Part D-covered insulin is capped at $35, regardless of whether you’ve met your deductible. For other supplies, you may have to pay coinsurance or copayments, and your Part D deductible may apply.
If you only have original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you’ll pay the full cost for insulin pens, syringes, needles, gauze, and alcohol swabs.
You may be able to get financial assistance through your state’s Medicare Savings Program or other programs.
Some people with diabetes qualify for Social Security disability benefits, but this is not true in all cases. To be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your condition must cause significant complications or severe impairments.
Medicare helps people with diabetes pay for supplies, services, and medications for managing their condition. To get coverage for diabetes care costs, you may have to meet specific criteria, and there may be limits on the amount or number of supplies or tests that are covered. You may also have to pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance to access care. Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on the supplies, services, and medications you need.
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Is diabetes a disability?
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Statistics about diabetes.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Foot care (for diabetes).
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program.
Medicare.gov. (2024). 3 things to know about Medicare insulin costs.
Medicare.gov. (2024). Medicare coverage of diabetes supplies, services, and prevention programs.
National Council on Aging. (2023). Diabetes and insulin: A guide to paying with Medicare.
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