@CMSGov #CMSNativeHealth

CMS ICN No. 909457-N • August 2017

Diabetes is a serious, 

treatable condition 

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) 

adults have more diabetes than any other 

race or ethnicity. According to the Centers 

for Disease Control, 16% of adult AI/AN have 

diabetes, compared to 13% of Blacks and 

Hispanics, 9% of Asian Americans, and 8% of 

Whites.

Diabetes can be prevented with early 

intervention. Diabetes treatment and 

management can prevent or reduce many 

complications associated with the disease, 

like kidney damage, vision loss, and 

circulation problems.

Indian Health Service 

Special Diabetes 

Program for Indians

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Special 

Diabetes Program for Indians funds diabetes 

treatment and prevention at IHS, tribal, and 

Urban Indian health programs. It serves 

780,000 people each year, and has reduced 

diabetes complications among participants:

 Decreased diabetic eye disease by 50%

 Reduced kidney failure rates by 54%

 Kept obesity rates in youth stable for 10 

years, and diabetes rates in adults stable 

since 2011

For more information, visit

www.ihs.gov/sdpi

Learn more and 

sign up

 Talk to your Indian health program 

 Call 1-800-318-2596 or go online to 

healthcare.gov

 For information about Medicaid, visit 

https://www.medicaid.gov/apply-forcoverage/index.html

 For more information about Medicare, 

visit www.medicare.gov, or watch 

the video Medicare & You: Diabetes 

at https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=ikwjsNWBMDM&feature=

youtu.be

For American Indians 

and Alaska Natives 

Diabetes Care 

and Health 

Coverage

Diabetes Screening

Diabetes Monitoring and 

Treatment

Diabetes Self-Management 

Training
Health coverage 

for diabetes

Health coverage through Medicaid, Medicare, 

or private insurance can help you get the 

diabetes care you need. Health insurance 

will pay for all or a portion of screening tests, 

monitoring supplies, treatment, and education 

to live a healthier life.

Diabetes monitoring 

and treatment 

Management of chronic diseases, like 

diabetes, is covered by private insurance 

plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. You may be 

required to pay the cost of some equipment, 

advanced medications, and treatments.

Diabetes supplies and services covered 

include:

 blood sugar test strips

 blood sugar monitors

 lancets

 insulin

 eye exams

 therapeutic shoes or inserts

Managing your diabetes can help prevent 

other health problems.

You cannot be charged more or denied health 

care coverage for your diabetes as a preexisting condition. 

Diabetes screening

Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance cover type 2 diabetes screening tests at no cost to 

you if you have high blood pressure, or are at high-risk for the disease due to obesity, a history of 

high blood sugar, or a history of abnormal cholesterol levels.

Detecting diabetes early in your life can help you get treatment faster to manage your condition 

and stay healthy longer.

Learn about the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program at https://innovation.cms.gov/

initiatives/medicare-diabetes-prevention-program/

Diabetes self-management training through 

Medicare

If you have Medicare Part B, your doctor can sign you up for diabetes self-management training 

to help you live a healthier lifestyle.

In the first year, the program includes up to 10 hours of training and support to help you eat 

healthy, be active, and monitor your blood sugar.

You may also qualify for up to 2 hours of training in follow-up years.

Learn about self-management training at https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/diabetesself-mgmt-training.html