Nursing home plaintiffs involved in a class action lawsuit contend they have evidence that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services acted to deny coverage for blood glucose tests for diabetics residing in skilled nursing facilities.
Even though Medicare Part B covers blood glucose testing, the new documents indicate the government has tried to expand the criteria to make it harder for residents to receive reimbursement, according to attorneys representing nursing home resident Louise Bailey and other Medicare Part B beneficiaries. CMS is expected to file an answer by May 1.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Plaintiffs say they want to stop the government from enforcing policies that deny coverage for medically necessary blood glucose tests. Nursing home providers believe that the government should not limit the number of tests diabetic residents can take each day.
