| November 06, 2007 |
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Diabetes continues to be a prevalent health concern in the United States. Approximately 20.8 million Americans, or 7.0% of the population, have diabetes. Of these, 10.3 million people are age 60 and over. Left undiagnosed, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage, lower-limb amputations and premature death. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds health care professionals that Medicare provides coverage of diabetes screening tests for beneficiaries at risk for diabetes or those diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Covered diabetes screening tests include the following: - A fasting blood glucose test, and - A post-glucose challenge test (an oral glucose tolerance test with a glucose challenge of 75 grams of glucose for non-pregnant adults), or - A 2-hour post-glucose challenge test alone. For more information about Medicare’s coverage of diabetes screening services, initial preventive physical examination, cardiovascular screening blood tests, diabetes self management training, medical nutrition therapy, diabetes supplies, influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, and glaucoma screening services, including coverage, coding, billing, and reimbursement guidelines, please visit the CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Preventive Services Educational Products web page: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp |
