Medicare Test Strips: How Many and What You Pay
Medicare Part B covers blood sugar test strips and lancets: every 3 months you may get up to 300 of each if you use insulin, or 100 of each if you do not. After the Part B deductible you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
What Part B covers
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers some diabetic test supplies: blood sugar monitors, test strips, lancets and lancet holders, and control solutions used to check meter and strip accuracy.
| If you… | Test strips every 3 months | Lancets every 3 months |
|---|---|---|
| use insulin | up to 300 | up to 300 |
| do not use insulin | up to 100 | up to 100 |
If your doctor says it is medically necessary and you meet other requirements, Medicare allows more, and you may need to keep a record of how often you test. Source: Medicare publication 11022, checked 2026-10-22.
The prescription
Your doctor writes a prescription that says whether you use insulin, how often you should test, and how many strips and lancets you need for one month. You need a new prescription every 12 months and must ask for refills. You can order from a pharmacy or a medical equipment supplier that is enrolled in Medicare, and Medicare.gov advises asking whether they accept assignment.
What you pay
Test strips are covered by Part B as durable medical equipment. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Enter your own figures in the supply cost calculator.
Related Medicare diabetes coverage
- CGMs: covered for people who use insulin or have problematic low blood sugar.
- Insulin: no more than $35 for a one-month supply of each covered product.
Your readings are yours to keep: try the private blood sugar log. Whether you can pay with a health savings account: HSA-eligible supplies.
Frequently asked questions
How many test strips does Medicare cover?
Medicare says that every 3 months you may be able to get up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets if you use insulin, or 100 of each if you do not. If your doctor says more is medically necessary and you meet other requirements, Medicare will allow more.
What do I pay?
Test strips are covered by Part B as durable medical equipment. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.
Do I need a prescription?
Yes. Medicare says you need a new prescription for lancets and test strips every 12 months, and the prescription should say whether you use insulin, how often to test and how many strips and lancets you need for one month.
Does Medicare cover a CGM instead of strips?
Medicare may cover a CGM for people who meet its criteria. See the CGM page.
Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Blood sugar test strips
- Medicare.gov: Medicare coverage of diabetes supplies, services and prevention programs (publication 11022)
Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.
