Diabetes Supplies and Medicare: What's Covered and What Isn't

What Medicare covers (Part B)

• Blood glucose monitors and test strips — usually 100 strips/month (insulin users) or 100/3 months (non-insulin). You pay 20% after deductible.
• Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) like Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 3 — fully covered for most diabetics.
• Insulin pumps — covered as durable medical equipment.

Insulin pricing in 2026

• $35/month cap on insulin under Medicare Part D (continuing).
• Some manufacturers (Eli Lilly, Novo, Sanofi) cap insulin at $35 commercially as well.

CGM access expanded

CGMs are now covered for anyone on insulin, not just multiple-daily-injection users. If your provider hasn't updated your prescription, ask.

Cheaper test strips if not covered

• ReliOn (Walmart) — $9 for 50 strips with their meter. No insurance needed.
• GoodRx coupons for OneTouch and Accu-Chek strips — sometimes 70% off retail.

What's NOT covered

• Lancets and lancing devices sometimes pushed back to you (verify with your DME).
• Some test strip brands require specific supplier approval.

Bottom line

If you have diabetes and Medicare, you should be paying under $50/month total for supplies. If you're paying more, call your plan — there's almost certainly something to fix.