Living with Diabetes
Medicare
Medicare provides coverage to approximately 40 million Americans, and is the national health insurance program for:
- People age 65 or older;
- Some people under age 65 with disabilities;
- People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Learn more about Medicare, what it covers and how much it costs
Is Medicare Changing My Diabetes Supplies Provider?
A program called the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program would have changed your supplier, however this program has been delayed. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) was enacted on July 15, 2008. The new law has delayed DMEPOS. You now can continue to get your Medicare-covered equipment and supplies from any Medicare-approved supplier. If you changed your supplier when this new program started, you can continue to use the new supplier, or choose another supplier.
What You Should Know About Part D Open Enrollment For 2007 (PDF)
Open Enrollment for Part D plans runs from November 15, 2006 through December 31, 2006. Here are some helpful information (PDF) about the Open Enrollment process.
2007 Medicare Drug Open Enrollment: Top 12 Questions & Answers (PDF)
This tip sheet from MAPRx answers some frequently asked questions about Part D Open Enrollment.
What You Should Know About Diabetes and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (PDF) - This convenient, printable flyer summarizes what you need to know in order to make an informed decision about Medicare's new Part D prescription drug benefit.
- The "Original Medicare Plan" - Most Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers are already familiar with the Original Medicare Plan. This is the traditional Medicare coverage that most beneficiaries have, and provides coverage for hospitalization, doctor’s visits, outpatient care, and more.
- Medicare Advantage (formerly known as Medicare + Choice) - An alternative to the Original Medicare Plan
- Part D - The new prescription drug benefit
To view any of the above information in Spanish, visit the American Diabetes Association's portufamilia.org Web site.
Additional Resources
Get Answers to Your Medicare Questions
Visit Medicare Interactive, your one-stop source for information about health care rights, options and benefits.
Introduction to Part D: Medicare’s New Prescription Drug Coverage
This guide is a clear and easy-to-understand resource explaining how Medicare Part D works.
Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies and Services (PDF)
This government-issued booklet will give you more information about which diabetes supplies and services are covered under Medicare Part B.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Your state’s SHIP program has trained counselors who can give you one-on-one assistance with any Medicare questions you might have.
American Diabetes Association and Avalere Health Financial Study (PDF-28 pages)
This study describes the financial impact that Part D will have on people with diabetes.
Medicare Part D Plan Comparison Tool
This tool, developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), allows you to compare out-of-pocket costs associated with each plan in your area. You can enter a list of the medications you take to get a personalized estimate of the amount of money you would spend every year on each plan.
