Bills
| 3.23.22

Medicare Coverage for Expenses Related to Insulin Supplies (H.R. 2977)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 2977?

(Updated July 13, 2017)

This bill would cover, under Part D of Medicare, supplies associated with insulin. Specifically, coverage would apply to those supplies associated with the


injection of insulin, of containment, removal, decontamination and disposal of home-generated needles, syringes, and other sharps through a sharps container, decontamination/destruction device[s], or [a] sharps-by-mail program or similar program.

Argument in favor

Saves Medicare patients money and decreases exposure to dangerous waste.

Argument opposed

Deals only with those Medicare patients who have prescription drug coverage through private insurance companies.

Impact

The bill impacts insulin users who enrolled in Medicare.

Cost of H.R. 2977

A CBO cost is currently unavailable.

Additional Info

Media:



Of Note:

Affordable access to insulin varies greatly depending upon what part (B or D) of Medicare is covering that insulin. This Lincoln Journal-Star story provides an excellent example of patient health conflicting with pharmacy profit.