Medicare Coverage for Diabetes (2026)

What Medicare covers for diabetes

• Insulin: $35/month cap on covered insulins under both Part D and Medicare Advantage drug benefits.
• Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): Dexcom, FreeStyle Libre, and Eversense covered under Part B as durable medical equipment for Type 1 and most Type 2 diabetics on insulin.
• Insulin pumps: Tandem t:slim X2, Medtronic 770G/780G, Insulet Omnipod 5 covered under Part B for clinically eligible patients.
• GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity): Covered under Part D for Type 2 diabetes (NOT for weight loss alone).
• Diabetes self-management training: 10 hours initially + 2 hours/year follow-up.
• Annual diabetic eye exam: $0 under Part B for diabetic retinopathy screening.
• Therapeutic shoes and inserts: 1 pair shoes, 3 pairs inserts annually for diabetics with foot conditions.
• Foot care: Every 6 months for diabetics with peripheral neuropathy.

Best plan structure for diabetics

Path 1 (predictable, flexible): Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G + carefully-chosen Part D. National network access including any endocrinologist, foot doctor, eye doctor. Medigap covers the 20% coinsurance on CGMs, pumps, supplies. Predictable costs after $283 Part B deductible.

Path 2 (lowest cost if available): Diabetes Chronic Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). $0 premium typical, specialized network, formulary tuned for diabetes drugs, dedicated case manager, often includes OTC allowance and transportation. Available in select counties only.

Read the full diabetes Medicare comparison →