Diabetic Supplies and Equipment

To align with current practices for blood glucose monitoring supplies, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, TRICARE has changed the prescribing policy for continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) supplies from 30-day dispensing to 90-day dispensing. Note: Limitations and guidelines differ between TRICARE’s pharmacy and medical benefits. 

Diabetic Supplies

• Insulin products*
• Blood and urine glucose test strips
• Blood and urine ketone/acetone test strips
• Diabetic syringes and needles* 
• Lancets

These supplies are covered by the TRICARE pharmacy benefit and may be obtained from a military treatment facility pharmacy, through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or at any TRICARE retail pharmacy. Prescription copayments will apply and out of pocket costs will be higher when using a non-network pharmacy.

*Medicare Part B does not cover insulin (unless used with an insulin pump) and diabetic syringes/needles; the TRICARE pharmacy benefit is the primary payer for these items.

Diabetic Equipment

The following diabetic equipment is covered under the TRICARE medical program as durable medical equipment (DME):

• Home glucose monitors
• CGMSs. These are a limited benefit and may be covered when U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved.
  • A therapeutic CGMS is defined as a device that is approved by the FDA for non-adjunctive use (for example, used as a replacement for fingerstick testing). Therapeutic CGMS devices and all related supplies shall be reported using HCPCS codes E2102-E2103.
  • A non-therapeutic CGMS is defined as a device that is approved by the FDA for use to complement, not replace, information obtained from fingerstick testing. Non-therapeutic CGMS devices and all related supplies shall be reported using HCPCS codes A4238-A4239.
  • Therapeutic and non-therapeutic devices and supplies may not be billed on the same claim.

Note: In addition to being available under TRICARE’s DME benefit, TRICARE covers the FreeStyle Libre 2 and the Dexcom G6 CGMSs as a brand-name formulary pharmacy benefit under the TRICARE Pharmacy Program managed by Express Scripts®. If obtaining under the pharmacy benefit, prescribers must request prior authorization by contacting Express Scripts at
1-866-684-4488 or faxing a completed prior authorization form to 1-866-684-4477. Search for “FreeStyle Libre 2” or “Dexcom G6” in Express Scripts’ formulary tool at www.esrx.com/tform. 

• Insulin infusion pumps for beneficiaries with:
  • Insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes mellitus when there is documentation by the physician of poor diabetic control.
  • Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
  • Type 2 diabetes when there is documentation by the physician of poor diabetic control and the patient has failed to achieve glycemic control after six months of multiple daily injection therapy.

To expedite the review process, providers may attach a Letter of Attestation in lieu of clinical documentation to the authorization request. 

Cost Information

Refer to Diabetes Outpatient Self-Management Training and Orthotics for additional diabetic services covered.

For additional information on diabetes education including definitions, symptoms and ways to manage this diagnosis, please visit our Diabetes Education page.