Medicare and CGM, test strips

[Tapestry]

Here are some posts on tudiabetes I have bookmarked regarding Medicare. Lots of good information to be found.

Medicare Guidelines - How to navigate?

Dave, my best social media source for Medicare info as relates to diabetes (primarily Type 1), is a Facebook group called Seniors with Sensors. The group name comes from the years when we were all advocating for CGM coverage by Medicare. The group has morphed into a clubhouse for seniors to discuss various issues related to diabetes coverage, tech issues with CGMs and pumps, how to get insulin under part B, etc.

Medicare Guidelines - How to navigate?

I have T1D and use a DexCom G5 cgm; I do not have a pump. I buy test strips at my local CVS under Medicare. I complete an AOB (Assignment of Benefits) form for CVS annually. Medicare told me I could purchase any brand of test strips I wanted as long as I had a prescription for them. (Lancets are also covered under Part B.) Medicare is extremely strict about refills–it must be 90 days between refills. I’ve been using a DexCom cgm for several years and waited until Medicare approved the G5 …

Medicare

I am planning to enroll in Medicare Plans B, D and F next spring after retirement. There is a quite a bit of financial burden for insulin pen supplies (or Omnipod) under Plan D. UHC’s medical policy # 2018T0347Z, “Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes” has detailed explanation of their policy. Although I have no experience of the DME coverage for Insulin Infusion Pumps and CGMs in Medicare Plan B, I feel this UHC’s medical policy for DME is probably close to…

Medicare Guidelines - How to navigate?

Hi Dave- I have been on Medicare for just over 1 year. I was diagnosed with T1D in 2006. I have used the Medtronic pump and sensor for about 8 years. Medicare covers the pump supplies but not the sensor. I like the “Threshold Suspend” feature of the 530 G pump. Back to Medicare: The rules are absolutely crazy. I cannot refill supplies until I have only 10 days of supplies left. They must confirm this every time. Visits to the endocrinologist and the associated blood work must be done t…