Diabetes Month: 3 ways to use your Medicare plan to prevent & control this condition
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, or if you are concerned about your risk of developing this condition, it is important to understand what your Medicare plan may cover to help with prevention or treatment.
This is especially important for the 40 million Americans with diabetes, one-quarter of whom are yet undiagnosed, plus the over 115 million people with prediabetes.
November is National Diabetes Month, offering an important reminder about the impact of diabetes on millions of Americans and their families. This observance coincides with the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 and enables over 70 million beneficiaries to make plan changes for 2027.
If that applies to you or a loved one, here are three ways to better understand and use your Medicare plan as it relates to diabetes.
Take advantage of covered screenings and preventive care. Type 2 diabetes typically develops gradually, so it is important to look for risk factors (family history, physical inactivity, obesity) and warning signs (excessive thirst, consistent fatigue). Eligible Medicare beneficiaries can receive up to two screenings within a 12-month period through Medicare Part B, and typically with no copay. Before your appointment, ask whether any additional services could result in a bill.
Consider a Medicare plan focused on diabetes. If you have diabetes, you may be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan called a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). This type of Medicare Advantage plan often provides coordinated care for people with qualifying chronic conditions, access to lifestyle coaching programs, and savings on diabetes medications and supplies. Before choosing one, check whether your doctors participate, whether your prescriptions are covered and what you would pay for the care you use. Recent eHealth research shows that 78% of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes enrolled in a C-SNP credit the plan with lowering their A1C levels.
Use dental and vision benefits to avoid potential diabetes-related complications. Managing diabetes isn't only about monitoring blood sugar. Diabetes can also contribute to complications affecting oral and eye health. Regular dental care can help identify and address gum disease, which is more common among people with diabetes and, if left untreated, can make the condition harder to control. Routine eye exams are important because they can help with early detection of diabetes and reduce the risk of developing vision problems caused by this chronic condition. While many Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for dental and vision care, Original Medicare does not.
National Diabetes Month is a reminder about the importance of diabetes prevention, early detection, and proactive management. By better understanding what Medicare covers and the options that may be available, you can help protect your health and finances.
Whitney Stidom is vice president of consumer enablement at eHealth, an online health insurance marketplace that helps consumers navigate their health benefit decisions.