Since recent years, there has been a rapid increase in diabetes. According to one report, around 10.5% of the US population had the disease in 2018. However, the cost of controlling the condition is massive. Insulin regulation treats diabetes at a hefty cost. Therefore, Medicare insulin coverage might be necessary.
Diabetes has two types: Type A and Type B. In most cases, insulin isn’t required for Type A, but it can be important for Type B. Imagine paying hundreds of dollars for syringes, glucose control tests, and devices. You can save yourself the trouble by opting for Medicare. Medicare provides thorough coverage for insulin.
Let’s unfold how Medicare will help you with your insulin problems.
Medicare Insulin Coverage
In simple terms, the breakdown for Medicare includes three primary parts, including Part A, B, and D. Part B covers your medical services, while Part D can cover the cost for prescription drugs. Both of these Medicare parts provide coverage for your insulin. Part B may provide services for screening and preventive tests.
Briefly, we’ll see how each part works for insulin coverage.
How Does Medicare Part B Help with Insulin?
Generally, Medicare Part B provides coverage for medically necessary hospital services, outpatient care, lab tests, and durable medical equipment (DME). For diabetes patients, Medicare Part B can provide blood sugar monitoring, blood sugar test strips, lancets, and glucose control solutions. Each year, Medicare provides two screening tests for high-risk diabetes patients.
Beneficiaries who use insulin can get up to 300 lancets and sugar test strips. On the other hand, beneficiaries who don’t use insulin can get 100 lancets and test strips. That’s not all; Medicare can even provide coverage for insulin pumps and their supplies for the beneficiaries. Furthermore, you can get counseling and self-management training for up to ten hours annually.
There are sometimes cases of foot problems with diabetics patients. Therefore, Medicare covers foot exams after every six months for the patients. You can get therapeutic footwear from Medicare if you need them. However, the following are the specific things that are not covered under Part B coverage:
- Insulin (if you don’t have an external pump)
- Insulin pens
- Syringes and needles
- Swabs
What does Medicare Part D cover?
As mentioned earlier, Part D is a prescription plan which covers the cost of drugs. Since you need several medical supplies and drugs to control and monitor your insulin, Part D can cover it for you. Part D plans are generally offered by private companies which are approved by Medicare. It’s up to you to sign-up for a Medicare Part D plan. Generally, you get coverage for the following:
- Injectable Insulin
- Syringes and needles
- Gauze and alcohol swabs
Part D doesn’t cover insulin administered with an external insulin pump.
How Much Does It Cost?
For Part B, there is a general premium. After you meet your deductible for the year, you only pay 20% of the cost, while Medicare covers the rest. For 2021, the standard part B premium is $148.5, and the deductible is around $203. Similarly, you have to pay a premium for a Part D prescription plan.
You can get a Part D plan with the Original Medicare or the Medicare advantage plan. The cost for the Part D plan varies according to different companies. You can decide based on what suits you and what provides the options you’re considering. For example, if you’re a diabetic patient, you’ll need to find a plan that provides the affordable options for insulin drugs.
Final Comments
To sum up, the cost of healthcare is increasing rapidly. In such situations, it occurs to any rational person that it is better to find plans to reduce the hefty cost. It becomes ever more sensible when you have a terminal disease like diabetes because you have to pay for insulin whatsoever. NewMedicare is your affordable partner in such cases.
You can find plenty of plans which can suit your budget and needs. Get going and insure yourself.
