Medicare will expand coverage for preventative care including diabetes screening starting January 1, 2007.

The expanded coverage will include diabetes outpatient self-management training and medical nutrition therapy.

Medicare will cover tests to check for diabetes without coinsurance or copayment or Part B deductible for people with the following risk factors: high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels), obesity, or a history of high blood sugar. Medicare also covers these tests if people have two or
more of the following characteristics:

• age 65 or older,
• overweight,
• family history of diabetes (parents, brothers, sisters),
• a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during
pregnancy) or delivery of a baby weighing more than 9
pounds.

Based on the results of these tests, people may be eligible for up to two diabetes screenings every year.

For more information visit Medicare Partner Tip Sheet