Medicare covers glucose monitors and test strips, but the coverage depends on which part of Medicare you have and whether you have diabetes

Medicare Part B covers continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and traditional blood glucose meters for people with diabetes who take insulin or certain other medications. Part B also covers test strips, lancets, and lancing devices. Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) may cover some glucose monitoring supplies depending on your specific plan. If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), your coverage follows Part B rules but may vary by plan.

The key requirement is that your doctor must prescribe the glucose monitor and document that you have diabetes and use insulin or specific oral medications. Medicare will not cover glucose monitors for people with diabetes who manage their condition through diet alone, unless your doctor can document medical necessity for another reason.

Coverage amounts and out-of-pocket costs vary. You typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the monitor itself after you meet your Part B deductible. Test strips, lancets, and lancing devices are usually covered at 80 percent after your deductible, though some plans cover them at 100 percent.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers glucose monitors and testing supplies for people with diabetes who take insulin or certain oral medications, with a doctor's prescription.
  • You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost for the monitor after your Part B deductible; test strips and lancets are usually covered at 80 percent.
  • Medicare does not cover glucose monitors for people who manage diabetes through diet alone unless your doctor documents another medical reason.
  • Your specific coverage amount and which brands are covered depend on your plan and your state, so contacting your plan directly gives you the most accurate information.
  • Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) like Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre are covered under the same rules as traditional meters, though some plans may have restrictions.

What counts as a covered glucose monitor under Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B covers both traditional blood glucose meters (also called fingerstick meters) and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). A traditional meter requires you to prick your finger and test a drop of blood several times a day. A CGM is a small sensor you wear on your body that measures glucose levels throughout the day and sends readings to a receiver or your phone.

Common CGM brands covered by Medicare include Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre, and Medtronic Guardian. Traditional meters from brands like OneTouch, Accu-Chek, and Contour are also covered. However, not every model or brand is covered by every Medicare plan, and coverage can change. Your doctor's office or the manufacturer can tell you whether a specific device is covered under your plan.

Medicare also covers the supplies you need to use these monitors: test strips, lancets (the small needles used to prick your finger), lancing devices (the pen-like tool that holds the lancet), and for CGM users, adhesive patches and sensors. The number of test strips covered per month depends on your prescription — typically between 100 and 300 strips monthly for people taking insulin.

How to find out what your specific plan covers

The easiest way to learn your exact coverage is to call your Medicare plan directly. The phone number is on the back of your Medicare card. Have your doctor's name and your diabetes medication list ready. Ask specifically: Does my plan cover continuous glucose monitors or only traditional meters? How many test strips per month does my plan cover? What is my out-of-pocket cost after my deductible?

You can also visit your plan's website and search for "glucose monitor" or "durable medical equipment" in the coverage section. Medicare.gov has a tool called the Plan Finder that shows you what each plan in your area covers, though it does not always list specific glucose monitor models.

If you use a CGM, the manufacturer's patient support team can often check your coverage for you. Companies like Dexcom and FreeStyle have staff who work with Medicare plans daily and can tell you within minutes whether your specific device is covered and what you will owe out of pocket.

What you need from your doctor to get coverage

Your doctor must write a prescription for the glucose monitor and document in your medical record that you have diabetes and use insulin or take one of the medications Medicare recognizes as requiring glucose monitoring. These medications include certain sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and some other oral diabetes drugs. Your doctor does not need to write a lengthy justification — a straightforward prescription with the device name and your diagnosis code is usually enough.

If you have been managing your diabetes through diet and exercise alone, your doctor can still prescribe a glucose monitor if they document a medical reason — for example, if you are pregnant, have frequent low blood sugar episodes, or have been newly prescribed insulin. But Medicare will not cover a monitor for diet-controlled diabetes without that documented reason.

Once your doctor sends the prescription to a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, the supplier handles the rest. They verify your coverage with Medicare, bill your insurance, and send the monitor to you. You do not need to submit anything to Medicare yourself.

Out-of-pocket costs and how to estimate what you will pay

Your costs depend on whether you have met your Part B deductible for the year. Once you meet the deductible (which is $226 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly), you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the glucose monitor itself. Test strips, lancets, and lancing devices are usually covered at 80 percent after your deductible, meaning you pay 20 percent.

The Medicare-approved amount varies by device and by region. A continuous glucose monitor sensor might have a Medicare-approved cost of $30 to $50 per sensor, so your 20 percent share would be $6 to $10 per sensor. A month's supply of test strips might have an approved cost of $40 to $60, so your 20 percent share would be $8 to $12.

If you have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, your out-of-pocket costs may be lower. Some Medigap plans cover the 20 percent coinsurance, and some Medicare Advantage plans cover glucose supplies at 100 percent. Check your plan documents or call your plan to see what you actually owe.

Continuous glucose monitors versus traditional meters: what Medicare covers

Medicare covers both types of glucose monitors under the same rules, but there are practical differences. A continuous glucose monitor is more expensive upfront — the sensor itself costs more than a traditional meter — but you use fewer test strips because the CGM reads your glucose automatically throughout the day. A traditional meter requires you to test multiple times daily, so you use more test strips over time.

Some people use both: a CGM for daily monitoring and a traditional meter as a backup or for specific situations. Medicare will cover both if your doctor prescribes both and documents the medical reason.

If your doctor recommends a CGM but your plan does not cover it, you can ask your doctor to request a coverage exception. Plans sometimes approve exceptions for people with frequent low blood sugar, pregnancy, or other medical reasons. The request process takes one to two weeks, and your doctor's office usually handles it.

What happens if your plan does not cover the monitor your doctor recommends

If your Medicare plan does not cover the specific glucose monitor your doctor wants you to use, you have a few options. First, ask your doctor whether an alternative monitor that your plan does cover would work for you. Many people do well with different brands, and switching may not affect your care.

Second, you can request a coverage exception from your plan. Your doctor submits a letter explaining why you need that specific monitor — for example, because you have vision problems and need a larger display, or because you have a history of allergic reactions to adhesive in other sensors. Plans approve some exceptions, though not all.

Third, you can pay out of pocket for the monitor your doctor recommends and use your covered test strips with it. This is an option if the monitor itself is not covered but the strips are, or if you want to use a newer model that Medicare has not yet reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover glucose monitors if I do not take insulin?

Medicare covers glucose monitors for people who take insulin or certain oral diabetes medications like sulfonylureas and meglitinides. If you manage diabetes through diet alone, Medicare does not cover a monitor unless your doctor documents another medical reason, such as pregnancy or frequent low blood sugar episodes. Ask your doctor whether your specific situation qualifies.

Will Medicare pay for a new glucose monitor if I already have one?

Medicare covers a new monitor every five years under standard coverage rules. If your monitor breaks or stops working before five years, your doctor can request an exception and often gets approval. Contact your DME supplier or your plan to find out when you become due for a replacement.

Do I have to use a specific brand or supplier?

You do not have to use a specific brand, but your plan may have preferred brands that cost you less out of pocket. Your doctor can prescribe any brand, and any Medicare-approved DME supplier can fill the prescription. It is worth asking your plan which brands have the lowest cost-sharing before your doctor writes the prescription.

What if I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access"), Medicaid may cover costs that Medicare does not, including glucose monitors for people who do not take insulin. Contact your Medicaid program in your state to learn what they cover, as rules vary by state.

Can I get a continuous glucose monitor if I use a pump?

Yes. If you use an insulin pump and your doctor prescribes a CGM, Medicare covers it under the same rules. Some insulin pumps can connect to certain CGMs to share data, which may help you manage your diabetes more effectively. Ask your doctor and your pump manufacturer whether your devices are compatible.