Baltimore, Md.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, formerly the Health Care Financing Administration, has joined the National Diabetes Education Program and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness of Medicare coverage for diabetes self-testing equipment and supplies.

The campaign aims to inform diabetics that Medicare can now help pay for glucose monitors, test strips and lancets, and applies to people with Medicare regardless of whether or not they use insulin.

Posters and pamphlets — which read, “The power to control diabetes is in your hands. Control Your Diabetes. For Life” — are available to home medical equipment providers as part of a free Public Service Action Kit. Included with the kit is an evaluation form which, when filled out, would allow the National Diabetes Education Program to gather information from industry professionals regarding the response to the supplies.

Contact the National Diabetes Education Program, 800/438-5383, for more information. Or to order kits in bulk, contact the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 301/654-3327.