Diabetes Self-Management Training

Does Medicare Cover Outpatient Self-Management Training?

Diabetes outpatient self-management training is a program to teach you how to manage your diabetes and is covered by Medicare Part B. This program should include an overall education of diabetes including how to monitor your blood glucose levels. It also includes education about diet, exercise, and insulin.

Medicare will cover up to ten hours of diabetes self-management training if you meet one of the following conditions during the last 12 months:

You were diagnosed with diabetes
You changed from having no diabetes medication to taking diabetes medication, or you changed from oral diabetes medication to insulin
You have had diabetes and just recently become eligible for Medicare
You’re at risk for complications from diabetes, if you have any of the following:
- Problems controlling your blood sugar, and have been treated in an emergency room, or have stayed overnight in a hospital
- Been diagnosed with eye disease related to diabetes
- Have a lack of feeling in your feet or some other foot problems like ulcers, deformities, or have had an amputation
- Been diagnosed with kidney disease related to diabetes

Your doctor will give you information about where to get diabetes self-management training. You must get this training from a certified diabetes self-management education program.

Medicare will cover a total of 10 hours of initial training within a continuous 12-month period, and 2 hours of follow-up training each year after that.

How Much Will I Pay?

You pay for 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount under Medicare Part B.

You must pay your annual deductible for any Medicare Part B services and supplies before Medicare begins to pay its share. If a doctor, health care provider or supplier does not accept assignment; the amount you pay may be higher.

See Related Topics

If you have diabetes, Medicare might cover some or all of the cost of the following items when qualified. Click on any topic below to learn more:

Equipment and Supplies

Services and Procedures

Coverage Topics

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