Every state has a responsibility to its citizens. The US government does this by providing Medicare, the country’s insurance program. People may avail of Medicare health insurance ages 65 or older. There are however, cases wherein some individuals are given the privilege in particular to the permanently disabled.
Such program is very beneficial to individuals since having a Medicard helps with the cost of health though it does not cover the whole medical treatments. Medicare is paid in portion by taxes from payrolls by both workers and employers. Moreover, those deductions in your Social Security check goes to Medicare.
In 2006, President George Bush, gave importance to health care needs of seniors by signing the law updating Medicare. Hence, all Medicare and future Medicare members have the privilege of Medicare drug coverage assisting beneficiaries to pay for prescription drugs, beneficiaries can choose among a variety of plan, beneficiaries with high expenses are given extra special attention and advantage, and most especially Medicare can assist those coming from the low-income beneficiaries.
Individuals with diabetes enrolled in Medicare are fortunate to have the benefit of seeking treatment without shouldering all the expenses. The following are Medicare’s coverage of diabetes supplies and services taken from the medicare.gov.
Diabetic supplies:
Self-testing equipment and supplies
Medicare Part B covered diabetes supplies: Coverage for glucose monitors, test strips, and lancets. All people with Medicare who have diabetes are covered (insulin users and non-users).Medicare covers the same supplies for people with diabetes whether or not they use insulin. These include glucose testing monitors, blood glucose test strips, lancet devices and lancets, and glucose control solutions.
There may be some limits on supplies or how often you get them. For more information about diabetic supplies, call your Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier. To get your diabetes equipment and supplies under Medicare, you need a prescription from your doctor. The prescription should say:
- You have been diagnosed with diabetes.
- How many test strips and lancets you need in a month.
- What kind of meter you need. For example, if you need a special meter for vision problems, the doctor should say that and state the medical reason why you need a special meter.
- Whether you use insulin or not.
- How often you should test your blood sugar.
Points to remember :
- Ask your doctor or health care provider if regular blood sugar testing is right for you.
- You need a prescription from your doctor to get your diabetes equipment and supplies under Medicare.
- Learn the correct way to use your blood sugar meter properly. Your pharmacist, doctor, diabetes educator, or another health care provider can help you.
- Keep track of your blood sugar readings and share them with your doctor or health care provider at regular visits.
- Do not accept shipments of diabetes equipment and supplies that you did not ask for.
Therapeutic shoes
Medicare also covers therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes. Medicare covers depth-inlay shoes, custom-molded shoes and shoe inserts for people with diabetes who qualify under Medicare Part B. Your doctor must certify that you:
- Have diabetes;
- Have one or more of the following conditions in one or both feet;
- history of partial or complete foot amputation;
- history of previous foot ulcers;
- history of callus that could lead to ulcers;
- peripheral neuropathy with signs that you have problems with calluses;
- poor circulation;
- foot deformity .
Are being treated under a comprehensive diabetes care plan and need therapeutic shoes and/or inserts because of diabetes. In the Original Medicare Plan Medicare pays for 80% of the Medicare-approved amount. You pay 20% of the total payment amount. This amount can be higher if your doctor doesn’t accept assignment, and you may have to pay the entire amount at the time of service. Medicare will then send you its share of the charge.
Referrals for more information (DMERC)
If you have questions about durable medical equipment, including diabetic supplies, call your Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier.
Diabetes services:
Diabetes self-management training
Medicare Part B covered preventive services; diabetes self-management training. In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
Medical nutrition therapy services
Medicare coverage; medical nutrition therapy services are 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 diet counseling and therapy services to help you manage your diabetes. In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
Flu and pneumoccocal pneumonia shots (vaccinations)
Medicare Part B covered preventive services;
Flu Shot – Once a year in the fall or winter. Pneumoccocal Pneumonia Shot – One shot may be all you ever need. Ask your doctor. All people with Medicare are covered. In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay nothing for flu and pneumoccocal pneumonia shots if the health care provider accepts assignment.
Glaucoma screening
Medicare Part B covered preventive services: Once every 12 months. Must be done or supervised by an eye doctor who is legally allowed to do this service in your state. Cover people with Medicare who are at high risk for glaucoma, including people with diabetes or family history of glaucoma.In the Original Medicare Plan, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
Health is a precious gift. Unluckily for some people, they do not take pleasure on having a healthy body, hence some in the course neglect health only to be sorry when everything is already late.
As one ages, health complications are unavoidable. Entropy kicks in our body making us feel sick some way or the other. Luckily, the government has given attention to the increasing need of seniors in terms of availing health treatments.