Cruddy meter, strips, and lancets..

[CaptainMike]

I am brand new at this, today was my first day of testing, (was just diagnosed last month) I went to Walgreens to fill my perscription and the ONLY test strips that my insurance (Blue Cross BS Florida) covers are the Walgreens brand for the "Prestige IQ" by 'homediagnostics' and not the ones my Dr prescribed (One Touch I believe). So I let the pharmacist sell me the Walgreens brand.
My Problem is than no matter what depth I set the lancet device to I cannot get enough blood to completely fill the circle on the test strip, I went through 6 strips before I got the meter to accept one. I am talking LARGE droplets of blood here like the amount that would come out of an eye dropper, hurt like heck, too I've tried warm water, and squeezing ahead of time and all that.. Are these just extra thirsty, cheapo strips? I'm paying $40.00 per hundred even for these, but the pharm wanted over $100 for the one touch ones. I guess if I don't have to waste 6 of them for a single result they're worth more.
Sorry about the rant, could somebody just give me some clear, concise advice, just pretend I am an idiot. And please don't use a ton of acronyms and abbreviations, I can't figure out what anyone on here is talking about half the time.. is there a dictionary of diabetes acronyms somewhere on this forum?
Thank you very very much. On a high note my dinner +2 hour reading was 100! woo hoo!
Mike

[nneighbour]

Mike,
I can't find the info on how much blood it needs, but judging by the site info I'm sure it's quite a bit. This meter seems outdated, as the testing time is much longer than most of the others on the market today. It also needs to be cleaned. I agree with you that using this type of meter, especially as a newbie will make your life more difficult. Call your insurer yourself to see what your options are, this can't be the only one.

[Harold]

Even if you were to buy out of your pocket, no insurance, the house brand ReliOn meter for $8.88 and a 100 strips $42.28 or 50 strips $21.94. You would be far ahead. This meter / strip only requires .6 microliter, which is much less than any drop that will fall from your finger. The online Wallmart pharmacy does not even have the one they sold you. My guess is they saw a chance to get ride of one they could not sell. First call your insurance and confirm what the pharmacy told you. Even if they confirm it I would complain about them selling an out dated meter and try to return it.

Reli On @ Wallmart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3555238)

[Funnygrl]

Can you get the TrueTrack system, also by Home Diagnostics Inc?

TrueTrack Smart System blood glucose monitor from Home Diagnostics (http://homediagnosticsinc.com/products-5.asp)

[Funnygrl]

The Prestige takes 5 ul and the TrueTrack 1 btw.

[CaptainMike]

Thanks for the help everybody!! I'm in a rush to make it to work this morning, but I will get on top of this with my insurance co tonight when I get home.

[JediSkipdogg]

Good luck Mike. And do call the insurance and ask them. If they say they only give you house brands, there are many other options besides Walgreens.

The Prestige takes 5 ul and the TrueTrack 1 btw.

WOWZERS...I couldn't get that amount of blood with anything smaller than a knife.

[Larry H.]

Hey I can relate to cost situations as well as amount of blood needed.. I have a lousy time getting even a fairly small amount out of my fingers most of the time.. I had a True Track at first, which was half the cost, but unfortunately I was getting erratic readings and I read here that many found them to be on the high side also. I gave in an purchased a one touch ultra, it uses a similar amount of blood and the readings are somewhat lower and believed to be closer to an actual blood test result. So its a delima. I thought about the Walmart Reli On, the first druggest there told me I was better off with the one touch as the reli on was old technology? Then on another day a different pharmacist told me he thought the Reli On was fine. So who knows. I stayed with the One Touch since most doctors seem to feel its the closest to your actual reading. I just use it less. That may not be an option for you though..
Good Luck

[princesslinda]

Welcome Mike:
I'd check with my insurance about the meter...can't believe there's only ONE they will cover. You could probably get a free meter from your doc...they usually have them around to sample...that's how I got my first one. Also, we have some links for free ones on the forum as well under "diabetic freebies."

Most insurances (in my experience) will cover "x" amount of strips/month based on how many times your doctor writes for you to test each day...some strips fall under a different payment tier and you have to pay a bigger co-pay than with others. I don't have BCBS myself, but some family members do and their strips are covered (they use One Touch Ultra). Of course, from state to state, this may vary. However, I would definitely check with someone at the insurance about your benefits.

Again, welcome!
Linda

[kgm0612]

My brother's United Healthcare plan only allows him to use two meters.........the Contour and one other (drawing a blank, but it's not One Touch or Flash). He loved the BD link when he upgraded from his 508 to the 715 but they won't cover the strips.

I also have United and my plan allows me to chose any brand I'd like. Makes no sense to me, but I guess that's how the insurance world works!

Karen

[Doug]

Get a Multilclix lancet

After trying all kinds of lancets devioces for 19 years its the best

Least painful and most effective

Doug

[gettingby]

I've used the Reli-On by Walmart and it's a very good meter. But, like everyone says, check with your insurance company yourself. It is possible that the pharmacist could be wrong.

[CaptainMike]

Thanks for the help and advice everyone. I called my insurance and they offer free accucheck and lifescan meters. (1 free every 2 years) They also cover the strips for both at a $25 copay for 100 strips, 102 in the case of the accucheck compact plus which is the meter I wound up getting from walgreens who also took back the cruddy meter and refunded all my money. I'm using a softclix lancet device which so far is way better than that other one I was using.

I guess I learned my first lessons as a diabetic. Don't take anything anyone in the health care industry as the gospel, and don't just roll over and accept what they try to give you without asking questions and doing your own research.

Thanks again everybody!!