Medicare covers glucose meters through the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit, but the specific brands available depend on your plan type and which suppliers are contracted with Medicare in your area

Medicare Part B covers blood glucose monitors as Durable Medical Equipment, which means the device itself is covered along with test strips and lancets. However, Medicare does not maintain a national list of approved glucose meter brands. Instead, each Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) — the regional company that processes Medicare claims in your state — decides which brands it will reimburse. This means the meters covered in your state may differ from those covered in a neighbouring state.

Your coverage also depends on whether you have Original Medicare (Part A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare uses the MAC system described above. Medicare Advantage plans set their own coverage rules and may cover different brands or require you to use specific suppliers.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers glucose meters, test strips, and lancets, but the brands covered vary by your state's Medicare Administrative Contractor.
  • You can find which brands your MAC covers by calling your state's MAC directly or visiting its website — the MAC contact information is listed on Medicare.gov.
  • If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan's customer service to learn which glucose meters and suppliers are in-network.
  • Your doctor must write an order for the glucose meter before you obtain it, and you must purchase from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier.
  • If your preferred meter is not covered, you can ask your doctor to request a coverage exception, though approval is not may provide.

How to find which meters your state's MAC covers

Your state's Medicare Administrative Contractor publishes a list of covered glucose meters and the suppliers authorized to dispense them. To find your MAC, go to Medicare.gov, select your state, and look for the DME MAC contact information. You can then call the MAC directly and ask which glucose meter brands are covered under the current policy.

The MAC's website also posts its Local Coverage information (LCD) for glucose monitors, which is the official document that lists covered brands and any conditions attached to coverage. This document is public and free to read. The LCD may specify that certain meters are covered only for people with Type 1 diabetes, only for those using insulin, or only when purchased from particular suppliers.

Because MAC policies can change during the year, calling or checking the website is more reliable than relying on information from a previous year. If you call, have your Medicare number ready and ask the MAC representative to confirm the current covered brands and whether your doctor's order will be accepted.

What you need before you can get a covered meter

Medicare requires a written order from your doctor before you can obtain a glucose meter. The order must state that you have diabetes and that the meter is medically necessary. Your doctor does not need to specify a brand — they can write "glucose monitor" or name a specific brand if they have a preference.

You must also purchase the meter from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier. Not all pharmacies or medical supply stores are enrolled with Medicare, so you cannot straightforward buy a meter at any retailer and submit it for reimbursement. The DME supplier will verify your Medicare coverage, confirm your doctor's order, and bill Medicare directly. You typically pay any applicable copayment or coinsurance at the time of purchase.

If you use a Medicare Advantage plan, the process is similar, but you must use a supplier that is in-network with your specific plan. Your plan's customer service can tell you which suppliers near you are in-network and which meters they stock.

Common glucose meter brands and regional variation

Brands such as Accu-Chek, OneTouch, Contour, and Freestyle have historically been covered by many MACs, but this is not may provide in every state. Some MACs cover all of these; others cover only two or three. A few states have more restrictive policies and cover only one or two brands. The variation exists because each MAC negotiates its own contracts with suppliers and manufacturers.

If you have used a particular meter in the past and want to continue using it, do not assume it will be covered under Medicare. Call your state's MAC or check its website to confirm. If your preferred brand is not covered, you have two options: you can switch to a covered brand, or you can ask your doctor to request a coverage exception.

Requesting a coverage exception for an uncovered meter

If your doctor believes a specific glucose meter is medically necessary for your care and that meter is not on your MAC's covered list, your doctor can submit a request for a coverage exception. This is sometimes called a prior authorization request or an exception request. The MAC will review the request and your medical history to decide whether to approve coverage for that specific brand.

Approval is not may provide. The MAC typically approves exceptions when your doctor documents that you have tried a covered meter and it did not work for you, or that your medical condition requires features that only the uncovered meter provides. For example, if you are blind and need a meter with audio output, and no covered meter offers that feature, the MAC is more likely to approve an exception.

The process usually takes one to two weeks. Your doctor's office can submit the request on your behalf. Ask them to include your medical history, the reason the specific meter is necessary, and any documentation that you have tried other covered options without success.

Test strips and lancets coverage

Medicare covers test strips and lancets separately from the glucose meter itself. The same MAC that covers your meter also covers the strips and lancets you use with it. You will need a new prescription from your doctor for test strips and lancets, and you must obtain them from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier.

Medicare typically covers a certain number of test strips per month based on your diabetes type and treatment. If you use insulin, you may be covered for more strips than if you do not use insulin. The exact number varies by MAC policy. Your DME supplier can tell you how many strips per month your coverage allows and whether you will need to pay out-of-pocket if you use more.

What to do if your meter is not in stock or takes too long to arrive

If a Medicare-enrolled supplier does not have your covered meter in stock, ask them when it will arrive. Most suppliers can order meters within a few business days. If you need a meter urgently and the supplier cannot deliver quickly, ask your doctor whether you can temporarily purchase a meter out-of-pocket and submit a receipt to Medicare for reimbursement. Some MACs will reimburse you after the fact if you can show that you purchased a covered meter from a non-enrolled supplier due to medical necessity, but this is not may provide and varies by MAC.

A safer approach is to ask your doctor's office to contact the supplier and request expedited delivery. Many suppliers will prioritize orders when a doctor's office calls directly. If you are having ongoing trouble obtaining your meter, contact your state's MAC and ask whether they can recommend a supplier that stocks the brand you need.

Medicare Advantage plans and glucose meter coverage

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your plan's formulary and supplier network determine which glucose meters are covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover the same brands as Original Medicare in your state; others cover fewer brands or require you to use a specific supplier. A few plans may cover meters that Original Medicare does not.

Contact your Medicare Advantage plan's customer service and ask which glucose meters are covered and which suppliers are in-network. You can find your plan's customer service number on your insurance card or on the plan's website. Your plan can also tell you whether you need prior authorization from your doctor before obtaining a meter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the same brand of glucose meter that my doctor recommends?

No. Your doctor can recommend a brand, but you can choose any brand that is covered by your Medicare plan. If your doctor recommends an uncovered brand, ask them why — they may have a medical reason. If so, they can request a coverage exception. Otherwise, you can select a covered brand that works for you.

What if I switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan mid-year?

Your coverage for glucose meters may change. Contact your new Medicare Advantage plan and ask which meters are covered. If your current meter is no longer covered, the plan can tell you which covered alternatives are available. You may be able to continue using your current meter if you pay out-of-pocket, but this depends on your plan.

Can I buy a glucose meter online and have Medicare pay for it?

Only if you purchase from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier. Many online retailers are not enrolled with Medicare, so Medicare will not reimburse you. Before you buy online, confirm that the retailer is a Medicare-enrolled supplier. You can ask the retailer directly, or you can call your state's MAC and ask whether a specific online company is enrolled.

How often does Medicare cover a new glucose meter?

Medicare typically covers one glucose meter per year. If your meter breaks or stops working, contact your DME supplier and ask whether they will replace it under warranty. If the meter cannot be repaired or replaced, your doctor can write a new order and you can obtain a replacement meter. Your MAC can tell you the specific rules for your state.

What happens if I cannot afford the copayment for a glucose meter?

Contact your state's Medicare Savings Program or your local Area Agency on Aging. These programs help people with limited income pay Medicare copayments and coinsurance. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging by calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.