Your Medicare Coverage
Is my test, item, or service covered?
Blood sugar (glucose) test strips
How often is it covered?
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers some diabetic test supplies, including blood sugar test strips as durable medical equipment (DME).
Who's eligible?
All people with Medicare who have diabetes are covered.
Your costs in Original Medicare
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways: some equipment may be rented, other equipment may be purchased, and you may choose to rent or buy some equipment.
Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctor or supplier is enrolled in Medicare. If a DME supplier doesn't accept assignment, Medicare doesn't limit how much the supplier can charge you. You may also have to pay the entire bill (your share and Medicare's share) at the time you get the DME.
Competitive Bidding Program
If you live in certain areas of California, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Texas, you may be affected by Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program. In most cases, if you have Original Medicare and get program items in program areas, Medicare will only help pay for these items if they're provided by contract suppliers. More areas will be added in 2013.
Related resources
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