Diabetes can be hard to live with, it does not matter which type you have. It could be type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes; they are all very difficult to live with. Type 2 diabetes however, is the most common diabetes out there among millions of Americans who have been diagnosed with it. Type 2 diabetes appears to be more common in Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and African Americans.
A person who has type 2 diabetes is dealing with either a body that is unable to produce insulin or cells that ignore insulin. For the body to work properly, insulin is necessary. Glucose turns into energy, therefore any food that you eat will break down all the sugars and starches into glucose, which will in turn, fuel the cells in the body. Glucose can start to build up in the blood, rather than in the cells, which ultimately starts a long path of diabetes complications.
For those who have type 2 diabetes, the diagnosis used to be simple. Get plenty of exercise and watch what you eat. If you eat a lot of sugars and starches than the problem gets a lot worse. This diagnosis is fairly easy for many people and there are people who were pre-diabetic and seem to be handling life well at the moment by not showing any signs of becoming a full-blown diabetic. However, what happens when diet and exercise are not enough? What happens when a person has done all they can to help their blood sugar level out but it still skyrockets or drops suddenly, without much warning? For these individuals, it used to be a hard diagnosis to make, but now there is an easy answer and the answer is yes. Yes, a person with type 2 diabetes can be covered by Medicare when they need an insulin pump. However, just as if with any other diabetic supplies you need, you must have a prescription from your doctor.
Medicare used to only cover insulin pumps for patients who had type 1 diabetes, but since there is a growing issues with type 2 diabetes, there is a growing need for insulin pumps for patients who do not have type 1 diabetes are still battling insulin issues.
To receive a pump you must have to following:
- Type 1 insulin-dependent Diabetes
- Type 2 insulin-dependent Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes with a blood sugar that in uncontrollable.
- Written prescription from your doctor
- Medical records showing that you what you claim
- Complete a diabetes education program
- Completed a program of at least 3 daily insulin injections with frequent adjustments of insulin dosage for the past six months
- Self-testing documentation for the past two months that shows four times a day testing
Once you are approved, for an insulin pump, you will save the most money if you go through a Medicare approved provider. When it comes to diabetic suppliers, they must meet a very long list of strict standards. It is possible to order your insulin pump from any store that sells that, however, if they supplier is not enrolled in Medicare, Medicare will not pay for the pump leaving you with the bill.
