Diabetic Seniors » Medicare Coverage

Liberty Insurance Experts Help You Navigate Medicare

DiabeticSeniors.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:55:24 +0000

Part of the services offered by Liberty Medical is helping customers fill out the proper forms to have their medical supplies covered by the Medicare D plan. This Liberty insurance feature is one of customer’s favorite parts of the service provided by Liberty Medical because these insurance forms can be so difficult to fill out.

Medicare part D is a government sponsored insurance program meant to cover the prescription drug needs of Medicare beneficiaries. Participants in the program can chose to be enrolled in either the Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or the Medicare Advantage program (MA) to receive the Medicare part D coverage. There are specific benefits to each plan and individuals must choose the plan that best meets their specific needs.

Liberty medical employs a Liberty insurance staff that is well educated about the issues relating the Medicare and specifically the prescription drug coverage programs. Maintaining this Liberty insurance staff was deemed to be a worthwhile effort on the part of the company because so many of Liberty Medical’s customers are covered by the Medicare program. Because the program can be so difficult to follow, many individuals struggle with understanding their coverage and how to get the most benefit from the Medicare part D program. By having trained Liberty insurance experts available, customers are better able to understand how the government program fits together with Liberty Medical’s services.

Liberty insurance professionals have the following helpful tips to help customers better understand the Medicare insurance program:

Medicare part D covers prescription drugs and can help you pay the often high costs associated with diabetic medication. A Liberty insurance expert can help you fill out the correct forms to receive this coverage.
If you are enrolled in Medicare part A and/or B, it is possible for you to be covered under Medicare part D.
If Medicare part D does not meet all of your needs, additional financing may be available.
There are several different plans available and a Liberty insurance expert can give you advice on how to choose the plan that best meets your needs.
Liberty medical is a participating provider covered under the Medicare plan. This means that are trained Liberty insurance and pharmaceutical staff can meet your medical needs while staying within the bounds of the program.

Medicare can be a confusing system and many struggle with determining exactly what is covered by the plan, and what isn’t. However, Liberty insurance staff can make the system a little more straightforward and take some of the worry out of diabetes.

Medicare Insurance

DiabeticSeniors.com — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Many seniors have specific questions or concerns about what their medicare insurance really means in terms of their ongoing diabetic care. The good news is that as of January 2005, changes in medicare insurance have made it more convenient for seniors and those with part b medicare plans (medical coverage) to receive better coverage for both the daily and the annually needed items and tests that will help them better manage and monitor their condition.

There are many necessary self-testing diabetes supplies covered by your medicare insurance, and these will include glucose monitors, glucose test strips, lancets, and supplies to determine the accuracy of your monitors (standard deductibles, co-payments and certain limitations will apply). Your medicare insurance will cover the same type of supplies whether or not your condition is insulin dependent, though the amounts for these supplies will vary. You can also qualify for therapeutic shoes and insulin pumps within the terms of your medicare insurance, so it is best to know the full extent of your specific coverage and its limitations.

You will need to consult your doctor to work with you while you look into the coverage offered by your medicare insurance, for written assessments and specific prescriptions from your doctor can often mean more supplies for you. The diabetes coverage allowed within established part b medicare insurance has improved over what it was in past
years, bringing good news and more necessary supplies to seniors living with a diagnosed diabetic condition.

*Source: www.medicare.gov

Please be aware that this page on medicare insurance is meant for informational purposes only; please consult a physician for more specific questions pertaining to individual cases.

Medicare Services

DiabeticSeniors.com — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:34:00 +0000

Recent changes in medicare services for seniors living with diabetes have made it easier and more cost-efficient to get what you need, when you need it most. Current medicare services might include obtaining lancets, test strips and glucose meters for much less than you might have imagined possible (standard part b deductibles, co-payments and certain limitations will apply).

But new to the medicare services available, as of 2005, medicare has better ways to help you learn ways to manage your own health with nutrition therapy and self-management training now available as part of your plan. Other medicare services you can qualify for include glaucoma testing, foot care, hemoglobin A1c tests, and special eye exams for assessing your current level of health. You will need prescriptions and the guidance of your doctor to take full advantage of these medicare services, and your doctor should be able to tell you about how changes in your condition might affect the amount of medicare services you are qualified to receive.

It is also important to know that medicare services will not include some specific services and items, such as insulin pens, orthopedic shoes, syringes and weight loss programs. For a full and comprehensive view of what is and is not covered by your specific medicare services plan, consult your trained medical professional and your plan’s administrator to answer any questions or concerns you might have.

*Source: http://www.medicare.gov

Please be aware that this page on medicare services is meant for informational purposes only; please consult a physician for more specific questions pertaining to individual cases.

Medicare Covered Diabetes Testing Supply

DiabeticSeniors.com — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:51:00 +0000

There is good news for diabetic seniors on medicare when it comes to their medicare covered diabetes testing supply. As of January 1, 2005, changes in medicare are now allowing for up to 100% of the costs for medicare covered diabetes testing supply in many instances (standard deductibles, co-payments and some restrictions apply). If you are a senior diagnosed with a diabetic condition, you know that medicare covered diabetes testing supply should include the costs of testing strips, lancets, glucose meters and even required semi-annual doctor’s visits to test and monitor your condition. The good news, is that with the changes in medicare many of these costs are now covered, and with a doctor’s written order you can receive medicare covered diabetes testing supply delivered regularly to your door. To learn more about how medicare covered diabetes testing supply can apply to your unique situation, you are encouraged to discuss your needs with your doctor and your medicare administrator. Many seniors will even qualify for reduced or totally free shipping for their medicare covered diabetes testing supply, making it even easier to better manage the monitoring and management of any existing situation. Living a rewarding life with diabetes is possible when you take steps to better understand and monitor your daily condition, and with medicare covered diabetes testing supply delivered right to your home, you start taking control of better lifestyle management.

*(Source: http://www.medicare.gov)

Please be aware that this page on medicare covered diabetes testing supply is meant for informational purposes only; please consult a physician for more specific questions pertaining to individual cases.

How to Qualify for a Free Blood Glucose Test Meter

editor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:41:42 +0000

If you’re diabetic and either eligible for Medicare or already enrolled, you can qualify for a free blood glucose test meter. Here is what you have to do:

Be eligible for a blood glucose test meter under Part B Medicare
Sign up for blood glucose testing supplies through a mail order medical supply company

Being Eligible for a Blood Glucose Meter under Part B Medicare

The key to qualifying for a free blood glucose test meter is to qualify for a test meter under “Durable Medical Equipment” in Part B Medicare. Because Medicare covers blood glucose test meters, you might wonder why you shouldn’t get one using your Medicare coverage. The reason is because Part B Medicare covers only 80 percent of the cost of the meter. And before that 80 percent coverage kicks in, you have to pay your annual deductible ($135 in 2009). By paying 80 percent, you’re hardly getting a free blood glucose test meter.

But qualifying for a meter under Part B Medicare is the first step in getting a free blood glucose test meter.

Signing Up for Blood Glucose Testing Supplies through a Mail Order Medical Supply Company

The competition is keen among the mail order companies that provide blood glucose testing supplies. To get your business, many of them offer you a free blood glucose test meter as an enticement. As you probably know, good test meters can be expensive — and this is just the kind of free blood glucose test meter the medical supply companies are offering. Each company offers different brands of test meters. The choices run from ACCU-CHEK® Aviva Compact Plus, to Lifestyle One Touch® Ultra® 2 and Ultra® Mini, to Bayer Contour®, to Breeze® 2. Some companies also offer their own free blood glucose test meters. But these aren’t cheap test meters. They are actually brand-name ones but with the name of the medical supply company on it instead of the manufacturer’s.

Signing up for blood glucose testing supplies and getting a free blood glucose test meter is easy because most of the medical supply companies have an online presence. So you can sign up without even leaving your home.

So now you have a free blood glucose test meter and blood glucose testing supplies, but you still have to pay 20 percent of the cost for the supplies. The good news: There’s a way that you can get your blood glucose testing supplies for free.

How to Get Blood Glucose Testing Supplies for Free

It’s true that Part B Medicare covers only 80 percent of your blood glucose testing supplies. But Medicare also offers Part D, which provides prescription coverage. Most of the insurance plans available under Part D will cover most or all of the remaining 20 percent of the blood glucose testing supplies you need for your free blood glucose meter. So the math is simple: 80 percent + 20 percent = 100 percent!

The blood glucose testing supplies covered by Medicare include:

Blood glucose test strips — 100 a month for type 1 diabetics and 100 every three months for type 2 diabetics. (Type 1 and type 2 diabetics may qualify for more under certain circumstances.)
Lancet devices — 100 a month for type 1 diabetics and 100 every three months for type 2 diabetics. (Type 1 and type 2 diabetics may qualify for more under certain circumstances.)
Lancets — one every six months.
Control solution for testing your free blood glucose monitor.

So sign up for Part B Medicare and examine the companies that provide diabetes medical supplies. Then pick out a company that offers the best monitor and the best service for you and get a free blood glucose test meter. They’ll even send in the paperwork to Medicare and your insurance company for you!

Free Blood Glucose Monitor: What You Need to Know about Medicare Coverage

editor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:26:45 +0000

If you’re a diabetic, one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you own is probably your blood glucose monitor. And if you’re approaching 65, you’ll be eligible for Medicare. You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about how you can get a free blood glucose monitor through Part B Medicare. But that talk is only partly true.

Why You Can’t Get a Free Blood Glucose Monitor through Part B Medicare

Part D Medicare covers what’s called “durable medical equipment,” which are devices that have to last a long time and go through a lot of frequent use and hard wear. Medicare considers the blood glucose monitor such a device. The problem is that if you qualify for a blood glucose monitor, Part B Medicare pays for just 80 percent of the monitor; you’re left to pay the remaining 20 percent yourself. That’s hardly a free blood glucose monitor! In addition, you also have to pay an annual deductible ($135 in 2009) before the 80 percent coverage kicks in.

However, being covered by Part B Medicare and eligible for a monitor under “durable medical equipment” is crucial to getting a free blood glucose monitor.

How to Get a Free Blood Glucose Meter

Because you are covered by Part B Medicare, mail order companies that provide diabetes supplies are eager for your business. To get your business, many of them offer free blood glucose monitors. And not cheap ones, either. A free blood glucose monitor runs the gamut from ACCU-CHEK® Aviva Compact Plus to Lifestyle One Touch® Ultra® 2 and Ultra® Mini. Some medical supply companies also offer their own brands of free blood glucose monitors, but these monitors are actually well known brands relabeled with the name of the medical supply company. Most of these companies have an online presence as well, which makes it easy for you to sign up for diabetes supplies and your free blood glucose monitor. Many medical supply companies will even submit your paperwork to Medicare and to your Medicare insurance company for you.

How to Get Free Testing Supplies for Your Free Blood Glucose Monitor

You might not think that Part B Medicare’s coverage of durable medical equipment would also cover the testing supplies for your free blood glucose monitor. While Part B covers 80 percent, you still have to pay the remaining 20 percent, as mentioned above. If you sign up for Part D prescription coverage, though, the plan you chose could cover most or all of the 20 percent, which makes the testing supplies almost or totally free. The medical supply companies will also send you your supplies regularly each month like clockwork.

The testing supplies covered by Medicare:

Blood glucose test strips — 100 a month for type 1 diabetics and 100 every three months for type 2 diabetics. (Type 1 and type 2 diabetics may qualify for more under certain circumstances.)
Lancet devices — 100 a month for type 1 diabetics and 100 every three months for type 2 diabetics. (Type 1 and type 2 diabetics may qualify for more under certain circumstances.)
Lancets — one every six months.
Control solution for testing your free blood glucose monitor.

So, you might be just steps away from being eligible for a free blood glucose monitor through a medical supply company. Check out the companies to see which one provides the best service, and then sign up and get your free blood glucose monitor.

Part B Medicare

DiabeticSeniors.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:54:00 +0000

There are two parts to your medicare coverage that you should be familiar with: Part A Medicare, and Part B Medicare. Part A will help to cover your in-patient hospital care expenses, and part B medicare helps to cover medical out-patient services and items that are deemed to be medically necessary. Most people will not pay a premium for part A coverage, while part B medicare coverage will typically carry a monthly premium and a yearly deductible.

While both parts are important aspects of your total health care plan, you should be aware that part b medicare will cover many things that Part A does not. If you have a diabetic condition, you will receive great benefits from having part b medicare coverage to help you with costs and services you will need every year. Remember that even with part b medicare coverage, you will still have to meet your yearly deductible, which will rise in cost every year, and was $110.00 in 2005. Once the deductible is met however, part b medicare can offer you a great deal of savings on items you will need every day such as test strips, glucose meters and lancets. And part b medicare coverage will qualify you for additional services like A1c hemoglobin tests, diet and health management training, and even foot care in some cases.

You will need prescriptions and guidance from your doctor for many of the part b medicare items and services currently offered, and if you have supplemental insurance to augment your medicare coverage, your are advised to speak with your plan’s administrator to always receive the full extent of your available benefits.

Update: Medicare Part B and Diabetic Supplies

Here’s some great news: If you have diabetes and you are on Medicare, the cost of your diabetes testing supplies may be covered by Medicare Part B!*

Liberty Medical Supply can help determine if you are eligible under Medicare Part B, whether you use insulin or not. This could add up to significant savings if you currently pay out-of-pocket for your diabetes testing supplies.

Medicare Part B Explained

As you know, Medicare has many parts. We will review Part A and Part B in this section. For information on the new Medicare Prescription Benefit, visit our online information center:

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and some home healthcare. Most people do not have to pay for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care and some other medical services that Part A does not cover. Medicare Part B is optional, so enrollment is your choice. Most people pay monthly for Medicare Part B and have premiums deducted from their Social Security benefits. Medicare Part B has an annual deductible and a coinsurance of 20 percent for most covered services. That means that for diabetic supplies, Medicare Part B covers 80 percent of approved costs of covered items.

If you are not sure if you meet these requirements, you can find out with a single phone call, 1-866-373-8971. If calling is not convenient, see if your supplies are covered online or enroll online. Liberty will check with your doctor and Medicare to determine if you qualify. This is a complimentary service. You are not obligated in any way.

“Will Medicare Part B Cover My Diabetic Supplies?”

You may qualify for Medicare reimbursement of your diabetes testing supplies if you meet the following simple requirements:

You are on Medicare
You have a doctor order to test your blood sugar

What supplies are covered?

Medicare may cover:

Blood Glucose Meters and Batteries for Your Meter
Test Strips
Lancing Devices and Lancets
Control Solution
Hemoglobin A1c Tests
Insulin Pumps (and insulin, if infused through the pump)

Assistance from Liberty Medical

See if your diabetes testing supplies are covered by Medicare Part B with one simple toll-free phone call to 1-866-373-8971.

* Co-payments and deductibles apply.
** Insulin and syringes are not covered by Medicare; however, insulin may be covered if infused through a pump.

Source: www.medicare.gov – The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and Diabetes

DiabeticSeniors.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:06:00 +0000

You may have heard that Medicare can provide coverage for drug prescriptions, but did you know that it can also cover prescriptions for diabetic patients? The advantage of Medicare drug prescription is obvious: the cost of your glucose home test kits and insulin are covered. For starters, diabetics will want to review the Medicare prescription drug plan, Medicare advantage plan and the various other Medicare health plans that have drug coverage. Medicare.gov allows you to compare various plans.

It is important to understand that Medicare works similar to insurance companies. You will have to pay a premium and the amount generally varies from plan to plan. In some cases you will have to make a part of the payment for the drugs that you buy (called co-payments). In case you are drawing an income below the specified limit whereby you are entitled for help, then you can appeal for help from social security.

Liberty Medical has been a leading supplier of diabetic medical supplies for the past seventeen years. They supply diabetic testing equipment, testing strips and other items. They also cater to your needs for insulin pumps, lancets, lancet holders, testing solutions. Liberty members don’t have to worry about running short of supplies for testing because of the effective home delivery system whereby patients can receive adequate supplies with Medicare covering costs. Not having to wait for your reimbursement money to come through to pay your medical bills can make life a lot easier.

This article is intended for informational purposes, please consult a physician or a medicare administrator for advice on individual cases.

How To Get Medicare to Cover Your Diabetic Supplies

DiabeticSeniors.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:04:00 +0000

If you are on Medicare, diabetes supplies you need may be covered.

You may qualify for Medicare coverage of your diabetic supplies if you meet the following simple requirements:

You are on Medicare.
You have a doctor’s order to test your blood sugar.

A Medicare diabetic supply could add up to significant savings if you currently pay out-of-pocket for your diabetes testing supplies. If you are eligible, you may qualify for these Medicare diabetes supplies:

Blood glucose monitors
Blood glucose test strips
Lancets/lancing devices
Control solution
Insulin pump supplies

More Good News

Medicare offers more benefits besides diabetic supplies, including:

Hemoglobin A1c test — Anyone with diabetes under Medicare is covered for this test, which measures how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past three months, if it is ordered by your doctor.

Diabetes self-management training — This training is for certain people who are at risk for complications from diabetes and are on Medicare. Your doctor must request this service, and you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after your yearly Part B deductible.

Insulin pumps and related supplies — Insulin pumps worn outside of the body, including the insulin used with the pump, may be covered for some people with diabetes under Medicare. Diabetic supplies related to an insulin pump may be covered, as well.

Therapeutic shoes — If you have Medicare Part B and meet certain diabetes conditions, Medicare will cover therapeutic shoes if you need them.

Testing supplies — A wide range of products are currently covered under Medicare. Diabetes supplies for blood testing are covered whether you use insulin or not. However, the amount of supplies that is covered varies. Bottom line: If you are on Medicare and have a doctor’s order to test your blood sugar, you may be eligible to receive a Medicare diabetes supply.

Help is Available

Numerous medical supply companies, known as “Medicare participating providers,” make it easy to get the Medicare diabetic supplies you may be entitled to. These companies will fill out all the Medicare and insurance paperwork for you and submit the forms on your behalf. After approval by Medicare, diabetes supplies are sent right to your door with no charge for shipping. Generally, you pay nothing up-front. And, when it’s time to reorder, they will remind you, so you don’t have to worry about running out of supplies.

Why wait and wonder? Find out today if you are eligible for Medicare diabetes supplies.

Diabetes Medicare

DiabeticSeniors.com — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Many seniors have questions regarding their diabetes medicare coverage and what to expect as far as costs and allowances. As of January 1, 2005, your diabetes medicare coverage might include 100% of the costs of two diabetic screenings per year, as well as some other helpful services and supplies to better monitor your condition. For people with established diabetes and full medicare coverage, your diabetes medicare might include up to 80% of the approved medicare cost for glucose monitors, test strips, and lancets (after meeting the yearly Part B deductible).

In addition, your diabetes medicare coverage can be used to help you receive additional training on how to achieve better self-management with your established diabetic condition, teaching you the value of careful diet and exercise, as well as helpful ways to monitor your situations and blood levels. To receive this training, diabetes medicare will require the request of a doctor for each individual, and it might include up to 80% of the approved medicare cost (after meeting the yearly Part B deductible).

You are encouraged to discuss your individual concerns and situation with both your physician and your medicare administrator, ensuring that you get the greatest benefits from your diabetes medicare coverage. Living with diabetes is certainly made a little easier by investigating and using all the benefits offered by your diabetes medicare plan.

*Source: http://www.medicare.gov

Keep in mind that this diabetes medicare article is meant for informational purposes. Please
consult a physician about your individual case.