Medicare Part B covers blood sugar test strips as a type of durable medical equipment (DME). After paying the annual Part B deductible, a person will only pay 20% of the cost of the test strips.
Medicare Part B covers blood glucose (sugar) test strips for people with diabetes, whether or not they take insulin. It covers a certain number of test strips every 3 months and may cover more if they are medically necessary.
To receive coverage, a person must obtain blood sugar test strips from a Medicare-approved supplier who accepts the assignment. The person will have to pay the total cost of the test strips if the supplier is not Medicare-approved.
Glossary of Medicare terms
We may use a few terms in this article that can be helpful to understand when selecting the best insurance plan:
- Out-of-pocket costs: An out-of-pocket cost is the amount a person must pay for medical care when Medicare does not pay the total cost or offer coverage. These costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before an insurer starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, this is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Blood sugar test strips are a type of DME. Medicare Part B covers DME and other services, including outpatient or home healthcare and preventive services, such as certain vaccinations.
Medicare Part B covers up to 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for DME after a person has paid the annual deductible, which costs $240 in 2024.
However, the number of test strips that Medicare covers varies depending on whether or not someone takes insulin. Medicare Part B covers the following amounts of test strips:
- 300 test strips every 3 months for insulin users
- 100 test strips every 3 months for people who do not use insulin
- additional test strips, if they are medically necessary
Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the cost of blood sugar test strips as long as the person:
- has paid the annual Part B deductible
- has diabetes
- asks for refills for their supplies
- can order and collect their supplies from their pharmacy or a supplier using a prescription from their doctor
- uses a Medicare-enrolled pharmacy or supplier who accepts the assignment
People may have to pay more if the pharmacy or supplier does not accept the assignment. In some cases, they will have to pay the total cost and wait for Medicare to refund them its share of the cost.
Limitations for coverage
Medicare Part B will cover up to 300 test strips every 3 months for someone who uses insulin and 100 test strips every 3 months for someone who does not treat their diabetes with insulin.
It will only cover additional blood sugar test strips if a doctor declares them medically necessary.
Medically necessary means a person requires the service or supplies for diagnosis or treatment and meets accepted medical practice standards. People may need to keep a record of how often they use test strips.
Medicare also will not cover test strips that a supplier automatically sends to someone with diabetes. The person must request the supplies from a Medicare-enrolled pharmacy or supplier using a prescription from their doctor.
The prescription must declare how many test strips a person requires. People must ask for refills of their supplies and will need to contact their doctor for a new prescription for their test strips every year.
A person must use a Medicare-enrolled supplier or pharmacy for Medicare to cover their blood sugar test strips. People will have to pay the total price for test strips from suppliers not enrolled in Medicare.
Blood sugar test strips are a type of DME — people can search for Medicare-approved suppliers using this online tool.
If someone cannot find a Medicare-enrolled pharmacy or supplier that accepts the assignment in their area, they may be able to order from one elsewhere who can ship supplies through the mail.
The cost of blood sugar test strips varies widely and may depend on factors such as where someone purchases them.
After people pay their annual Part B deductible, which is $240 in 2024, they will only pay 20% of the cost of DME from a Medicare-enrolled supplier.
A person may need to pay more if a Medicare-enrolled supplier or pharmacy does not accept the assignment. In some cases, they may need to pay the total price and wait for Medicare to reimburse its share of the cost.
People may need to pay the total price for blood sugar test strips that a supplier automatically sends out or that come from a supplier not enrolled with Medicare.
A person can speak with their doctor and local Medicare-enrolled pharmacy or supplier for more information on the cost of blood sugar test strips.
As well as blood sugar test strips, Medicare Part B covers the following supplies for people with diabetes:
- testing equipment, such as:
- blood sugar monitors
- continuous glucose monitors
- lancets and lancet devices
- glucose control solutions, which are liquids that check the accuracy of test strips and equipment
- durable insulin pumps and the insulin they require
- therapeutic shoes and inserts
Medicare Part D will also cover certain prescription drugs and supplies for people with diabetes, such as:
- syringes and needles
- alcohol swabs and gauze
- inhaled insulin devices
- antidiabetic drugs
- injectable insulin or disposable patch insulin pumps
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
Medicare Part B covers blood sugar test strips from Medicare-enrolled suppliers. After paying their annual Part B deductible, people will only pay 20% of the price of test strips from appropriate suppliers.
Medicare will only cover a certain number of test strips every 3 months, depending on whether someone takes insulin. However, people may be able to get more test strips if a doctor deems them medically necessary.
Part B will also cover other diabetic equipment, such as blood sugar monitors and insulin pumps. Medicare Part D can also offer coverage for some prescription drugs and equipment, such as syringes, inhaled insulin devices, and antidiabetic drugs.