diabetes meter question

**Missy** · 04-09-2007, 12:10 AM

Anyone here test their glucose levels with a "One Touch Ultra" or Freestyle" meter can maybe answer a question...

These strips are incredibly pricey. Ins won't cover it for me...since i don't have any. Are store brand strips compatible with either of these machines??

**guest56464** · 04-09-2007, 12:28 AM

Not as far as I know. The horrible thing about diabetes meters is that they only compatible strips are the ones that they make. It's a wonderful "money grabber" thing that they do. I don't use them myself but I have worked in a medical office for a few years and have ordered those monitors/strips for patients and as far as I'm aware there aren't any that are compatible. Now, I might be wrong because it has been a year and a half since I've worked in the field. You could ask your doctoe if there are any redemptions given by the company. I know that a lot of drug companies give mdeications to patients for free if the doctor approves the need for it.

**Neeley** · 04-09-2007, 01:24 AM

I use the OneTouch Ultra II and the strips are not compatable. Not all OneTouch strips are compatable with all OneTouch machines either.

**pqb57** · 04-09-2007, 09:29 AM

I use a one touch also and the strips would not be compatable, but you may want to get a store brand meter and use their strips, they are about half the price. I did that before we had insurance.

**Libby** · 04-14-2007, 11:26 AM

Speak to the pharamcist and see what they reccomend. Sometimes there are programs and offers out there that we dont know about. I got my meter from a hospital Diabetes Education Centre course and it came with a lot of strips to start but Im bad with my testing, I dont do it nearly as often as I should.

**dcompton** · 04-15-2007, 05:47 PM

Missy, I hate to post this because it isn't going to make you feel any better. But I am so astounded by it, I still just shake my head wonderingly over my good fortune.

I do have insurance, and the year runs July through June, the workplace fiscal year. With the cancer this year, I am thousands and thousands of dollars beyond my deductible and the cap on co-pays, so the insurance is paying 100% now on both medical and prescriptions. My doctor wrote a prescription for strips for three months, for the mail in pharmacy. She has me test it once a day. (Well, theoretically -- I'm a little remiss about it too). I know that is what the prescription said because I saw it. I have no idea what the pharmacy people were thinking, but they sent me over 400, and the insurance paid for it without batting an eye. I checked the expiration date and they are good until August 2008. I have more than a year's supply. This has me really smiling, because starting in July, I am going to start having a lot more out of pocket medical expenses. This is one thing to scratch off the list, and you know how much money this "mistake" has just saved me. It was definitely my lucky day. But I'm sure my face when I opened the package was a study ... "what the heck????"

But I feel for you. These things are hideously expensive. Diabetes is one expensive disease!

**AmyMCGS** · 04-15-2007, 07:05 PM

I used the Freestyle when I was pregnant, and as far as I know, I had to use name brand strips. Fortunately, insurance covered a lot of the cost... they give us generics on everything else, so that's why I assume that I had to have the name-brand testing strips. I paid about $15 a month for strips, and I tested 4+ times per day.

I'm Insulin Resistant when I'm not pregnant, and had thought about testing on my own, but insurance won't cover supplies, and we really can't afford $100+ per month for supplies.

I know some of the freebie health magazines (like from Kmart) have various offers to send for reduced cost testing strips. I know I saw some articles online, too.... hang on.... OK, go to page 5 of this document: http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowCo...ter_winter.pdf for some sources for help paying for supplies.

I hope you find something that works for you!

**foxxyroxie** · 04-16-2007, 06:47 AM

I got my glucometer and the testing strips free from the clinic I go to. Check with your doctor to see if they have 'samples'. I'll bet they do... but nowdays, the doctor's office make you ask/beg for them.

**wildflowerpa** · 04-16-2007, 07:23 AM

Although I haven't go diabetes, I have real problem with insurance companies not covering the supplies when they are so expensive. My last husband had diabetes before he died and the supplies were so expensive that he only checked his sugar levels once in a blue moon. We used to be able to have the Dr. write out a script for them and the insurance would cover them but not for long. We even tried mail order. This is a life sustaining medication and as far as I'm concerned the insurance companies should pay for them. But that's my opinion. Ok I'm done venting for now.