1 in 3 Americans at risk of diabetes| Medicare.gov

Each day, 4,000 Americans are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes — a serious disease that can lead to kidney disease, blindness, and amputations. Tuesday, March 24 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day — a day that focuses on how important it is to understand your risk of developing diabetes. You can take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out your risk for type 2 diabetes since it most often develops in middle-aged and older adults.

If you make healthy lifestyle changes, you might be able to prevent, delay, or even reverse type 2 diabetes. Many people at risk for diabetes — and some who already have it — don’t know it. We’re here to help; Medicare covers: 

• Diabetes screening tests so you can find out if you have the disease.
• A Diabetes Prevention Program to help you avoid it altogether. Check to see if there’s a program in your area.
  If you have diabetes, Medicare covers many of your supplies, including insulin, test strips, monitors, lancets and control solutions. In some cases, Medicare also covers therapeutic shoes if you have diabetic foot problems.
  You can get diabetes self-management training to help you learn how to better manage your diabetes and monitor your blood sugar, control your diet, exercise, and manage your prescriptions.
  Learn your risk for diabetes and take control of your health. This American Diabetes Association Alert Day, take the Diabetes Risk Test and talk to your doctor about how you can manage or avoid the disease.