Home › Knowledge › What Does Medicare Cover
Vedanth Bhartee
Writer · Reviewed by Richard ChanUpdated Jun 12, 2026
4 min read
Medicare Part B covers blood sugar testing monitors, blood glucose test strips, lancets, and therapeutic shoes or inserts for individuals diagnosed with diabetes.
Original Medicare Part B covers up to 10 hours of initial diabetes self-management training (DSMT) and medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with a verified diagnosis.
Insulin used via a traditional pump is covered under Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment, while injectable insulin prescriptions are covered under Medicare Part D, both capped at a maximum of $35 for a one-month supply.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of Americans — and managing it well requires both the right treatment and the right coverage to pay for that treatment. At its core, diabetes is caused by the body's inability to properly use and store glucose, which can cascade into serious health complications if left unmanaged. While there is no cure, the range of effective treatments has expanded considerably in recent years, giving people with diabetes more options than ever before.
It's also worth understanding that there are two distinct forms of this disease. Type 1 diabetes — sometimes called Juvenile Onset — is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a different disease that typically develops in adulthood and involves insulin resistance rather than outright insulin deficiency.
Which type do you have, and what kind of care do you need? That conversation starts with your primary care physician — and understanding your Medicare options ensures you have coverage that actually supports the treatment approach that's right for you.
If you or a loved one is managing diabetes, it's worth knowing the full range of treatment options that exist — and how Medicare may be able to help cover them.
Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels — produced naturally by the pancreas in healthy individuals. For people with diabetes, that regulatory system is compromised: the pancreas may not produce enough insulin, or the body may not be able to use it effectively. Insulin therapy addresses this directly, replacing or supplementing what the body can no longer produce on its own. Several categories of insulin are available — rapid-acting, long-acting, and combination formulations — and the right approach depends on the individual's specific clinical needs and lifestyle patterns.
For many people with type 2 diabetes, oral medications are a cornerstone of treatment. Options include metformin, sulfonylureas, and DPP-4 inhibitors, among others. These medications work through different mechanisms — some help the body use insulin more efficiently, others reduce the amount of glucose the liver releases into the bloodstream. They can be used alone or in combination with insulin therapy, depending on how well blood sugar is being controlled.
Perhaps the most powerful tool in diabetes management isn't a medication at all — it's lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet that limits sugar and refined carbohydrates, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can each have a profound impact on blood sugar stability. Regular physical activity in particular improves insulin sensitivity — meaning the body becomes better at using the insulin it does produce, reducing the need for medication over time.
Continuous glucose monitoring represents one of the most significant advances in diabetes management in recent years. A CGM device worn on the body tracks blood sugar levels in real time throughout the day, providing a continuous stream of data that helps people make smarter decisions about meals, activity, and medication. For individuals who experience frequent blood sugar fluctuations — or who have struggled to achieve consistent control with traditional monitoring — CGM can be transformative.
For people with type 2 diabetes who are also dealing with obesity, bariatric surgery can be a powerful intervention. Gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding all help patients achieve significant weight loss — and with that weight loss often comes dramatic improvement in blood sugar control, sometimes to the point of remission. Bariatric surgery is generally considered when diet and exercise alone have not produced the necessary results.
Some individuals find complementary approaches — acupuncture, massage therapy, or certain herbal supplements — helpful as adjuncts to their primary diabetes management plan. The research on the effectiveness of these therapies is still limited, and they should never replace medically established treatments. That said, for some people they offer meaningful symptom relief. If you're considering any alternative therapies, it's essential to discuss them with your healthcare provider first to confirm they're safe alongside your existing regimen.
Managing diabetes effectively is a long game — one that works best when it's highly personalized. Working closely with your healthcare team to build a treatment plan that reflects your type of diabetes, your health history, and your daily life gives you the best shot at long-term stability and a reduced risk of complications.
And as you think through your treatment options, make sure your Medicare coverage is actually designed to pay for the kind of care that will benefit you most. The right plan makes a meaningful difference.
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