Diabetes is a national phenomenon and an epidemic by right. It is also a sweeping health issue among seniors in the US, with 25% of people ages 65 and older suffering from diabetes. This means that about 12 million seniors are suffering from this condition. This is not a disease to be taken lightly since the more aged a person with diabetes gets, the more prone they are to having complications from the illness. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. It is also listed seventh in line by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

But the high mortality rate is not the only thing that concerns older adults with diabetes. The cost of treating the disease strains most Americans age 65 and older. According to the American Diabetes Association, Americans spent $245 billion on diabetes expenses. And it gets more frightening. Experts project that by 2050, the number of Americans with diabetes will be one in every three Americans – now that’s some scary stuff!

So how do you prevent or control such madness from happening? If you are 65 and older and on Medicare, your benefits include preventative and management therapies for you to prevent or manage diabetes.

There are three parts of Medicare that provide coverage for diabetes. Part B covers diabetic preventative services, diabetic self-management training services, diabetic supplies, foot exams, and therapeutic shoes and inserts. More commonly known as Medicare Advantage plans, Pact C covers the same coverages as Medicare Part B and may add additional benefits like Medicare eye exams, Medicare glaucoma screening, Medicare cataract surgery, and eyeglasses. The third part of Medicare that offers coverage for diabetes is Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, which covers diabetic medications like insulin and supplies like test strips and glucose machines.

Get the coverage and benefits you need now to prevent or manage diabetes. Get started here.