What Part B covers
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Blood sugar monitors, test strips, lancets, control solution | Covered as durable medical equipment when your doctor orders them for home use |
| Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and supplies | If you take insulin or have a history of low blood sugar problems, and have been trained to use one |
| Insulin pumps and the insulin used in them | Pump insulin falls under Part B, not Part D |
| Therapeutic shoes or inserts | One pair of custom or extra-depth shoes per calendar year, plus extra inserts, if you have severe diabetic foot disease |
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), if the supplier accepts assignment.
What Part D covers
- Insulin you inject with a syringe or pen, insulin used with patch pumps and certain reusable pumps, and inhaled insulin.
- Syringes, needles, gauze and alcohol swabs used to inject insulin.
- Diabetes drugs you take at home, according to each plan's formulary.
Each one-month supply of a Medicare-covered insulin, under Part B or Part D, costs no more than $35, with no deductible. Your Part D out-of-pocket costs are capped at $2,100 in 2026. Without Part D, you pay the full cost of injected insulin and syringes.
Use a Medicare supplier that accepts assignment
Medicare pays only for supplies from suppliers enrolled in Medicare. A supplier that doesn't accept assignment can charge you more. In rural Oregon, many people get strips and CGM sensors by mail; confirm the supplier's Medicare enrollment before ordering.
Medicare and OHP in Oregon
If you have both Medicare and the Oregon Health Plan, OHA says OHP can help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance, and people in the QMB program pay no Part A or Part B cost sharing. OHP doesn't pay Part D plan premiums or copays, so ask about Extra Help. See Medicare and OHP together.
Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same supplies but may use preferred suppliers. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or check plans for your drugs and ZIP code.
Related questions
Does Medicare cover insulin in Oregon?
The monthly insulin cap.
Does Medicare cover CPAP machines in Oregon?
Other home equipment.
Does Medicare cover vision in Oregon?
Including diabetic eye exams.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Blood sugar monitors
- Medicare.gov — Continuous glucose monitors
- Medicare.gov — Insulin
- Medicare.gov — Therapeutic shoes and inserts
- Oregon Health Authority — OHP and Medicare
More questions in this guide
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- Does Medicare pay for in-home caregivers in Oregon?
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- Does Medicare cover me when I travel or spend winters outside Oregon?
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- Does Medicare cover mental health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover naturopathic doctors in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover oxygen therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover physical therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover prostate cancer screening in Oregon?
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- Does Medicare cover skilled nursing care in Oregon?
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- Does Medicare cover wheelchairs in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Learn Medicare — the Oregon starter guide · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for a continuous glucose monitor under Medicare?
Medicare.gov says you must have diabetes, your provider must order it, and you must take insulin or have a history of problems with low blood sugar. You or your caregiver also need training to use it.
Does Medicare cover insulin pens?
Part D plans may cover insulin you inject with pens, along with syringes, needles, gauze and alcohol swabs. Part B covers insulin only when it's used with a pump covered as durable medical equipment.
Does OHP help with diabetic supplies if I have Medicare?
If you have both, Medicare pays first. OHA says OHP can help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance, but OHP doesn't pay Part D plan premiums, deductibles or copays.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
