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Lancets & lancet holders

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers lancets and lancet holders as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) if you have diabetes.

Your costs in Original Medicare

After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (if your supplier accepts assignment). Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment:

  • You may need to rent the equipment.
  • You may need to buy the equipment.
  • You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.

Make sure your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. It’s also important to ask a supplier if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating in Medicare, they must accept assignment (which means, they can charge you only the coinsurance and Part B deductible for the Medicare‑approved amount). If suppliers aren’t participating and don’t accept assignment, you may have to pay for the full cost of the DME.

To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:

  • Other insurance you may have
  • How much your doctor charges
  • If your doctor accepts assignment
  • The type of facility
  • Where you get your test, item, or service

Things to know

The amount of supplies Part B covers varies. Every 3 months, you may be able to:

  • Get up to 300 lancets, if you use insulin.
  • Get 100 lancets, if you don't use insulin.

If your doctor says it's medically necessary, and you meet other requirements, Medicare will cover more lancets. You may need to keep a record that shows how often you're testing yourself.

Related resources

Is my test, item, or service covered?

Lancets & lancet holders