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If you are 65 or over and you or your spouse worked for at least
10 years in Medicare covered employment and you are a citizen or
permanent resident of the U.S. then you are probably eligible for
Medicare, the government run health insurance for those over 65.
Medicare does cover some people under 65; if you are disabled or in
End Stage Renal Disease, you may qualify for Medicare coverage.
There are 2 parts to Medicare coverage, Part A, which most people do
not have to pay for and Part B, which has an annual premium of
$96.40 for most people.
With this coverage, there are Medicare diabetic supplies available
to you. Testing for diabetes using the Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
can be done twice a year at no charge under Medicare coverage Part
A. Under Part B, your self-testing supplies are partially paid for
by Medicare. After you pay the initial annual deductible, Medicare
will pay 80% of the costs of your home testing supplies. These
Medicare diabetic supplies include a glucose monitor, testing strips
and lancets.
In order to get these supplies you’ll have to get a prescription
from your doctor stating you have been diagnosed with diabetes, how
many lancets and test strips you will need, what type of monitor you
will need, if you will be on insulin or not and how often you will
have to test.
Your doctor can also write you a prescription for special shoes for
diabetics. These therapeutic shoes can range from custom molded
shoes to shoe inlays. Your prescription must specify you are under a
physician’s care for diabetes and that you meet at least one of the
conditions on a list of diabetes-related issues of the foot. These
shoes and inlays are also covered under Part B, which means you will
pay 20% of the cost.
There are Medicare diabetic supplies available to you if you qualify
under the Medicare rules of eligibility. Visit their website or ask
your doctor or other health care professional to help you apply if
you think you are eligible.
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