Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that to be eligible for coverage of home blood glucose monitors and related accessories and 
supplies, the beneficiary must meet both of the following basic criteria (1) & (2): 
1. The beneficiary has diabetes; and 
2. The beneficiary's treating practitioner has concluded that the beneficiary (or the beneficiary's caregiver) 
has sufficient training using the particular device prescribed as evidenced by providing a prescription 
for the appropriate supplies and frequency of blood glucose testing. 
 
The quantity of test strips (code A4253) and lancets (code A4259) that are covered depends on the usual 
medical needs of the beneficiary and whether or not the beneficiary is being treated with insulin, regardless of 
their diagnostic classification as having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Coverage of testing supplies is 
based on the following guidelines: 
- Usual Utilization 
o For a beneficiary who is not currently being treated with insulin injections, up to 100 test strips and 
up to 100 lancets every 3 months are covered if the basic coverage criteria (1)-(2) (above) are met. 
o For a beneficiary who is currently being treated with insulin injections, up to 300 test strips and up 
to 300 lancets every 3 months are covered if basic coverage criteria (1)-(2) (above) are met.  
- High Utilization 
o For a beneficiary who is not currently being treated with insulin injections, more than 100 test strips 
and more than 100 lancets every 3 months are covered if criteria (a) & (c) below are met. 
o For a beneficiary who is currently being treated with insulin injections, more than 300 test strips and 
more than 300 lancets every 3 months are covered if criteria (a) & (c) below are met. 
a. Basic coverage criteria (1)-(2) listed above for all home glucose monitors and related 
accessories and supplies are met; and, 
b. Within the six (6) months prior to ordering quantities of strips and lancets that exceed the 
utilization guidelines, the treating practitioner has had an in-person visit with the beneficiary 
to evaluate their diabetes control and their need for the specific quantity of supplies that 
exceeds the usual utilization amounts described above; and, 
c. Every six (6) months, for continued dispensing of quantities of testing supplies that exceed 
the usual utilization amounts, the treating practitioner must verify adherence to the high 
utilization testing regimen. 
 
If neither basic coverage criterion (1) or (2) is met, all testing supplies will be denied as not reasonable and 
necessary. If quantities of test strips or lancets that exceed the utilization guidelines are provided and criteria 
(a) & (c) are not met, the amount in excess will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. You can find these 
rules in Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Glucose Monitors (L33822). If you want to read these Medicare 
rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.