{"id":47480,"date":"2021-11-30T14:08:16","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T19:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=47480"},"modified":"2026-01-13T16:00:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T21:00:17","slug":"medicare-insulin-coverage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medicare-insulin-coverage\/","title":{"rendered":"How to afford insulin on Medicare"},"content":{"rendered":"

With age being a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes, many expect to see a trend of higher insulin use among older adults. It wasn’t until 2006 that Medicare began covering a portion of most prescription drugs, including insulin, for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes. Prior to that, Medicare generally only paid for prescription drugs that were administered in a physician\u2019s office or in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2021, Medicare tested a new insulin savings program for Part D plans called the Senior Savings Model. The new program offered insulin coverage at no more than $35 per month for Medicare Part D consumers with diabetes. The program ended on Dec. 31, 2023; however, the Inflation Reduction Act kept insulin copays at $35 or less for Medicare beneficiaries in 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare insulin coverage: Which plan do you need?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Medicare has <\/span>four parts<\/span><\/a>: Part A, B, C, and D. People who use an insulin pump will need Part B for insulin coverage; people who take other forms of insulin will need Part D for coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare Part B coverage for diabetes supplies<\/span><\/h3>\n

Medicare Part B<\/span><\/a> covers insulin if you use an insulin pump that\u2019s considered <\/span>Durable Medical Equipment (DME)<\/span><\/a>. If you use an insulin pump that isn\u2019t disposable, Part B may cover the pump as well as the insulin used with the pump.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Part B doesn\u2019t cover insulin pens or insulin-related supplies such as:<\/span><\/p>\n