Frequently Asked Questions
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high/low levels of glucose (also called sugar) in the body. This sugar is the body’s main source of energy.
What causes diabetes?
When you eat your body turns food into sugars, or glucose. Your pancreas is supposed to release insulin which lowers your glucose. The Insulin’s job is to open your cells so glucose can enter, allowing your body to use the glucose for energy.
Are there diabetes treatment options?
Controlling sugar levels is the main goal of treating diabetes. Insulin, exercise, and diet modification are the primary treatment options. Oral medications can also be prescribed, but when these measures fail to control elevated sugars, insulin treatment will be necessary.
Why is monitoring important for diabetes?
Checking your glucose level regularly is essential for managing diabetes. Knowing what dose of insulin to take is complicated. The amount is based on factors that fluctuate every day, depending on food, exercise, stress, emotions, and general health. That is why a glucose meter and glucose test strips are important for frequent, accurate glucose monitoring.
Why should I test my glucose levels?
Glucose (sugar) monitoring is the main tool you have to check on your diabetes control. This test tells you your glucose level at any one time. Keeping a log of your results is also vital, because it gives your healthcare provider a good picture of your body’s response to your diabetes care plan.
What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)?
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a method of tracking glucose levels throughout the day and night.
How does CGM measure your glucose levels?
CGM measures your glucose levels through a tiny sensor inserted under your skin, usually on your belly or arm. The sensor measures your interstitial glucose level, which is the glucose found in the fluid between the cells. The sensor tests glucose every few minutes. A transmitter wirelessly sends the information to a monitor.
What is considered a therapeutic CGM?
A therapeutic CGM is one that meets the definition of durable medical equipment (DME) and is labeled by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for non-adjunctive use (i.e., it can be used to make treatment decisions without the need for a stand-alone home blood glucose monitor to confirm testing results). Note that not all products marketed as CGM devices are considered therapeutic CGMs by Medicare.
Is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers specific continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) referred to as “therapeutic CGMs”. Therapeutic CGMs are covered by Medicare if you meet the Medicare Coverage Criteria.
I’m a Medicare patient with diabetes interested in Continuous Glucose Monitoring. How do I know if I’m covered?
Medicare Coverage Criteria:
Therapeutic Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and related supplies are covered by Medicare when all of the following coverage criteria (1 – 6) are met:
- The beneficiary has diabetes mellitus; and,
- The beneficiary has been using a BGM and performing frequent (four or more times a day) testing; and,
- The beneficiary is insulin-treated with multiple (three or more) daily injections of insulin or a Medicare-covered continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump; and,
- The beneficiary’s insulin treatment regimen requires frequent adjustment by the beneficiary on the basis of BGM or CGM testing results; and,
- Within six (6) months prior to ordering the CGM, the treating practitioner has an in-person visit with the beneficiary to evaluate their diabetes control and determined that criteria (1-4) above are met; and,
- Every six (6) months following the initial prescription of the CGM, the treating practitioner has an in-person visit with the beneficiary to assess adherence to their CGM regimen and diabetes treatment plan.
How does the Dexcom G6 work?
The Dexcom G6 lets people with diabetes know where their glucose is and which direction it is heading, continuously and conveniently. The Dexcom G6 eliminates the use of fingersticks for calibration and diabetes treatment decisions.
Why Dexcom G6?
For people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, CGM reveals what no meter can. Unlike fingersticks that give you a number for a single point in time, the Dexcom G6 lets you see your glucose data in real-time so you’ll always know when your glucose levels are trending high, low or when you’re good to go.
What is a permanent impairment of urination?
A permanent impairment of urination is considered to be a condition that is not expected to be medically or surgically corrected. The condition is of long and indefinite duration (at least 3 months).
What is an Intermittent Catheter?
A urinary catheter is a medical device designed to conveniently empty the bladder when a patient is unable to do so themselves. Intermittent catheters are used to manage bladder drainage in cases of urinary retention, bladder obstruction, and neurological disorders that cause paralysis or loss of sensation.
With intermittent catheters, patients insert and remove the urinary catheter several times a day, eliminating the need to wear a continuously draining catheter. Leaving urine in your bladder for a long time can lead to a distended bladder or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Intermittent catheterization may help reduce these potential problems, giving you more freedom for a better quality of life.
And, because you can remove the urinary catheter when your bladder is emptied, it allows you to live a more comfortable, active lifestyle. These types of intermittent catheters may also improve urinary incontinence in some patients. Please call 1-800-482-5707 and speak with one of our knowledgeable Urinary Catheter Specialists today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Can I get urinary catheters delivered to me?
We offer quick and discreet delivery of urinary catheters across the United States and Puerto Rico.
I’m a Medicare patient with urinary retention. How do I know if I’m covered?
Intermittent catheterization is covered under Medicare for an individual who has a permanent impairment of urination, i.e., urinary incontinence or urinary retention. Intermittent catheterization is covered when basic coverage criteria are met and the beneficiary or caregiver can perform the procedure. Intermittent catheterization using a sterile intermittent catheter kit is covered when the beneficiary meets one of the following criteria:
Resides in a nursing facility
Immunosuppressed
Documented vesico-ureteral reflux while on a program of intermittent catheterization
Spinal cord injured pregnant female with neurogenic bladder
Recurrent UTIs twice within 12 months prior to initiation of sterile intermittent catheter program
Medicare covers External Catheters as an alternative to an indwelling catheter for patients who have permanent urinary incontinence. MedEnvios offers Cure External Catheters for Men.
Please call 1-800-482-5707 and speak with one of our knowledgeable Urinary Catheter Specialists today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
What is a Coude Catheter?
A coude catheter, or sometimes called a coude tip catheter, is a urinary catheter with a slightly curved tip that designed for easy insertion. Coude tip catheters are typically prescribed if a patient has an enlarged prostate and the catheter tip is curved to get past that tight spot with ease.
More commonly used in men, coude catheters can be used in women when they develop obstructions that require the use of a urinary catheter with a curved design. In addition to being used by doctors and nurses, coude catheters can be used at home by patients who may need to self catheterize for a variety of reasons.
Please call 1-800-482-5707 to find out more about our urinary catheters.