Diabetes Act
Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced
Summary
Expands access to diabetes technologies and education across Medicare and federal programs. The DIABETES Act would improve coverage continuity for people who use pumps and continuous glucose monitors, expand diabetes self-management education and training, and test virtual care models.
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- People with diabetes and Medicare enrollees would see smoother coverage during Part B enrollment. Providers could certify use of Part B-covered diabetes technology within the first 12 months of Part B enrollment and continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps are specified as durable medical equipment beginning January 1, 2031.
- Diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) would be expanded to 10 initial hours plus 2 additional hours per year. The bill protects extra medically necessary hours, aligns medical nutrition therapy rules, treats DSME/S as fully covered under the fee schedule, and excludes these services from deductibles.
- Providers and the system would get new billing codes for insulin pump hookup, calibration, and training and a required national coverage determination for pumps and related devices. The bill also launches a virtual DSME/S demonstration to evaluate outcomes and requires a Comptroller General report on access barriers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier Medicare access to diabetes devices
If enacted, Medicare would take steps to steady access to continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. During the first 12 months of a person's Part B enrollment a provider could certify that the person uses covered diabetes technology, and the Secretary would have to finalize a certification form and give contractor guidance by January 1, 2027. The Secretary would also need to propose a national coverage decision for infusion pumps within 180 days of enactment, create new billing codes for pump hookup and training by January 1, 2027, and classify CGMs and insulin pumps as durable medical equipment when furnished on or after January 1, 2031.
More diabetes training and virtual care
If enacted, Medicare would expand outpatient diabetes education and training starting for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. You would get an initial 10 hours of individual or group training available until used and 2 extra hours each year after the initial 10 hours are completed. Medicare payment for these services would equal 100% of the lesser of the provider's actual charge or the Part B fee schedule, and the Part B deductible would not apply. The bill would also require the HHS Secretary to run a CMS Innovation Center model, not later than January 1, 2027, to test virtual diabetes education (live or recorded), measure A1c and hospital outcomes, check use in rural and underserved areas, and study medication adherence and Medicare costs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 3/10/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov