Medicare recipients who have diabetes may ask, "Are diabetic supplies covered by Medicare?" Fortunately, the answer is, "Yes." The supplies are covered under two parts of Medicare.

Part B is a medical insurance benefit of Medicare. This part covers "medically-necessary" services such as outpatient care, doctors' services, home health care services, and medical equipment.

For people with diabetes, Part B covers blood sugar self-testing equipment, which includes blood sugar test strips, blood sugar test monitors, lancets and lancet devices.

According to Medicare, the amount of supplies a person receives will vary. For instance, people who use insulin can get a lancet device twice a year and a maximum of 100 test strips and lancets on a monthly basis. People who do not use insulin can also get a lancet device twice a year and 100 test strips and lancets every three months.

When doctors believe it is essential for their patients to receive more test strips and lancets than what has already been issued, Medicare will pay for those supplies.

For people who meet certain conditions, Part B also covers external insulin pumps and the insulin that these pumps use.

The costs for therapeutic shoes and inserts are also covered under Medicare for people suffering with severe foot problems that stem from their diabetes. Before receiving these items, however, patients must first have their doctors confirm that they actually need the shoes or inserts. Then, a podiatrist, prosthetist, pedorthist, or orthotist must prescribed the therapeutic shoes or inserts.

Medicare requires recipients to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for these supplies.

Medicare Part D covers the cost of prescription drugs and certain medical supplies. The diabetes supplies that fall under this category are those used for injecting insulin, such as needles, syringes, alcohol swabs, gauze and inhaled insulin devices.

Also covered is insulin that is not injected with an insulin pump.

A co-pay is required from Medicare recipients who also may have to pay a Part D deductible.