The DIABETES Act makes it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to keep using their diabetes technology when they first enroll in Medicare. Right now, many people with diabetes use devices like continuous glucose monitors (which track blood sugar), insulin pumps (which deliver insulin automatically), and special software that helps these devices work together. When these people turn 65 and join Medicare, they often have to stop using their current devices and start over with new ones that Medicare covers, which can be disruptive and dangerous.

This bill lets doctors certify during a new Medicare member's first year that they're already using diabetes technology, and Medicare will cover it without making them switch. The bill also expands diabetes education services—Medicare will now cover 10 hours of initial training plus 2 additional hours every year (with no limits if a doctor says more is medically necessary), and these services won't count toward the Medicare deductible. The bill also requires Medicare to create new billing codes for insulin pump setup and training, test virtual diabetes education programs, and review whether the software that powers automated insulin delivery systems should be separately paid for by Medicare. Additionally, the government will study barriers people face in accessing diabetes technology across all federal health programs and report back to Congress.