Starting July 1st Medicare co-pays for diabetes testing strips will drop from $15.58 to $4.49 per hundred strips. The savings apply both to those who obtain their supplies through the mail and those who use local pharmacies that accept Medicare’s reimbursement as full payment.
There is nothing new those buying supplies from retailers need to do to take advantage of the price reduction. But those obtaining their supplies by mail –estimated to be 50- 60% of Medicare-enrolled diabetics -- will probably need to change suppliers. DSS has signed contracts with only 18 carefully vetted mail-order firms nationwide.
Beneficiaries can locate a participating mail order supplier online from Medicare’s website, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or get a referral from their healthcare provider.
