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Important News:
Effective April 1, 2002, Medicare beneficiares no longer send in claims
to Medicare for blood glucose monitor test strips yourself, you must go
through a medicare supplier like Access Diabetic Supply. Ask your pharmacy
or supplier if it is enrolled in the Medicare program prior to purchasing
your diabetic supplies. If you go to a pharmacy or supplier that is not
enrolled, Medicare will not pay. You will be responsible for paying the
entire bill for any supplies. Please read the following for more information
on Medicare and diabetic supplies coverage.
Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B?
There are two types of Medicare, Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part B is the program that will cover the majority of products
and services for people with diabetes, while Medicare Part A covers medical
care such as hospital care, hospice care, part-time home health care and
some skilled nursing facility care. Medicare Part A has no monthly premium,
but has a deductible for each benefit period. Medicare Part B also has
an annual deductible of $135 and a coinsurance of 20% for most covered
services. That means that for diabetic supplies Medicare covers 80% of
their approved costs of covered items. Some of the diabetic products covered
are the following: blood glucose monitor, blood glucose test strips, lancets,
lancing device, control solution and insulin pump supplies. Insulin and
syringes are not covered by medicare. More information can be obtained
by calling our toll free number at
1-800-715-5031. One of our customer service representatives will
call you back shortly and explain Medicare coverage
and diabetic supplies.
Medicare Part B and diabetic supplies?
Simply put, if you have Medicare Part B, you are covered for various
diabetic supplies when you get your diabetic supplies from Access Diabetic
Supply. This is true whether you have type 1 diabetes (taking insulin)
or type 2 diabetes (not taking insulin). Medicare Part B covers the same
supplies for people with diabetes whether or not you use insulin. Again,
this coverage will pay for a glucose testing monitor, blood glucose test
strips, lancet devices and lancets, and glucose control solutions. The
amount of diabetic supplies are set by your doctors recommendation on
how many times per day he would like you to monitor your blood glucose
levels. That is to say, you are eligible to receive as much supplies as
your doctor deems as medically necessary. If you consistently change this
blood sugar testing amount or receive a large amount of diabetic supplies
(test strips and lancets), Medicare will put the claim to review to ensure
that the amount of test strips and lancets adheres to your medical doctors
recommendation. For more information about Medicare and diabetic supplies,
simply call one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-715-5031.
They are well versed in diabetic supplies and Medicare coverage.
Medicare and Diabetic Services?
Diabetic Services: If your doctor thinks you are at risk for complications
from diabetes, you are covered for diabetes self-management training.
Medical nutrition therapy services are also covered for people with diabetes
(or kidney disease) when referred by a doctor. These services can be given
by a registered dietician or nutrition professional and include supplies
and diet counseling and therapy services to help you manage your diabetes.
Starting January 1, 2002, Medicare covers glaucoma screening for people
with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma. For more information about
diabetic services, call us toll free at 1-800-715-5031 and one
of our customer service representatives will contact you shortly.
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