Since 2005, Medicare has offered a benefit for free diabetes screening. Yet in 2008, only about one of every 10 older adults in Medicare used this benefit, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

That’s why we created the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project.  Our mission is to spread the word about Medicare’s free diabetes screening benefit to older adults and their loved ones, and to the health care professionals that provide their care.

We want older adults to be as healthy as possible.  Since diabetes is, unfortunately, very common among those 65 and older, getting screened for diabetes is one of the most important things an older adult can do.

The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project currently has state-wide projects in three states – Georgia, Minnesota and Mississippi — and has given small grants to grassroots organizations in more than thirty states to promote diabetes screening and prevention for Medicare beneficiaries.  We’re on the ground in communities, building coalitions with individuals and organizations that reach older adults and their health care providers.  We provide information, in English and Spanish, which can help improve lives.

And we’re always looking for new partners that are interested in helping us spread the word about Medicare’s free diabetes screening benefit.  If you would like to help, click here to learn more.