Ouch... test strips are expensive....

[Michiko]

I haven't posted much lately.. so here I am..

I got my Ac1 test result. It was 10.10. I wasn't too happy, but my pcp is always positive to encourage me for improvement...

I started *trying* eating healthy. The big change is that I started eating three times a day. I am doing pretty well. Only thing is that I craved for a lot of food or eating fried food when I get really stressed out from my work... bad bad!!!

I joined gym a week ago. I started brisk walking 1 mile each time for a couple days and now increased to 1.5 miles. I have been walking for three weeks, 5 times a week. I must have walked 3 miles or more today outside. I want to increase to 2 miles at gym in a couple days. I am trying.

Today I met the diabetes educator finally. My blood level was 170. It was better than 289, the day of diagnose on September 11. Thank God, he gave me "OneTouch" Ultra2. I saved about $60. He was very kind, and explained to me a lot of things. It was a lot of information to take. But I am ready for this challenge for me to get better.

I went to pharmacy to get alcohol prep swab, Lancet, and test strips, and aspirin. Total of $110. Yikes. I have insurance, and this was it. Crazy. I just wondering how people can afford for expensive test strips. It supposed to last about a month.

I kinda got depressed this afternoon. My doctor asked me to start taking aspirin... then she is going to add an another medicine in January. Then my RN is going to ask my pcp to add the dosage of Metformin. I am taking 500 x2 right now. Then I started thinking about poking my finger with needles twice to four times a day. Ah.. so depressing. So I went for a walk with my girl yorkie in downtown Boston and shop for some gym clothes.

Anyway.. how does everyone manage to pay so much money for medicine and all the strips etc...

[EasyType2]

Michiko, all I can offer is sympathy. If one does not have health insurance, any disease can wreck our pocketbooks.

I'm fortunate - at this time - because Medicare pays 100% for test strips. I would be very hard pressed to test often otherwise.

Hopefully some other members of DF can over you tips on reducing the cost.

Good luck.

[duck]

Check out Wally World (Wal-Mart) for their strips and meters...they beat the socks off of everyone else for price. And as far as Metformin costs at Wal-Mart--I do believe Met is one of their "$4" drugs.

[Michiko]

I saw some on ebay and they are much cheaper. I thought I needed prescription from doctor to get test strips.. .. I am so new to this, and confused.

[duck]

I saw some on ebay and they are much cheaper. I thought I needed prescription from doctor to get test strips.. .. I am so new to this, and confused.

The strips, no. Anyone can buy them, sell them in the USA. Meds--now THOSE you'll need an RX. Actually, depending on where you live, you can get insulin just by asking and signing for it.

[xMenace]

Alcohol swabs?What are they? ;)

[Michiko]

I am just so pain sensitive. So my doctor suggested me to get alcohol prep swabs..... it wasn't expensive only a couple dollars. I got Lavender scent one :D

[owlyn]

If you have insurance, get an Rx for the strips. You Rx plan should then cover the strips and all you pay is your co-pay.

[spinnb8]

since you have insurance, get an RX for the strips and find a place to order them from. they do all of the insurance billing and it is a way better deal.

[bryan42]

Hello Michiko.... We can all understand your confusion on the insurance scandals. What insurance do you have? My doc writes a scrip for testing 4 times a day, even though I test twice, and I pay 20 bucks for 120 strips. I take metformin (1000mg) a day,and on those I get a 90 day supply for 80.00.
I too use the alcholol swabs AFTER testing. If you use them before, they can give you false readings. Best of luck to you and stick around,you can learn a lot here!!
2637

[Michiko]

I pay 20 bucks for 120 strips.
2637

Where do you get the strip so cheap? Or is it because of your insurance? I have Blue Cross Blue Shield.

[Dawn]

I didn't have insurance when I was diagnosed and now that I do they still won't cover anything for a year since it is a pre-existing condition. Test strips are so expensive!!! Even at WalMart they are $100 for 6 barrels (I use Accu-Chek compact). I can find them on e-bay and usually pay $36 - $42 for a box of 6.

With a prescription you should only have to pay your co-pay with BCBS.

I use my lancet several times before replacing it and I've never even though of using an alcohol swab for some reason.

Michiko I also wanted to share that once I reduced the amount of carbs I ate my cravings subsided. It is such a difficult addictive cycle to break I know. Those cravings are very real.

Congratulations on increasing your exercise!! I know it can all be so overwhelming. You sound motivated and you are getting more educated and getting support. That is a great combination for management!!!!

Oh - if you crave fried foods could you get something fried that is not breaded? That might satisfy you but not add the carbs...of course the 'fried' bit isn't good either...but as I told my doc early on I could only take care of 1 disease at a time and I was eating for my meter...later I was able to eat more heart healthy (although that remains a struggle for me - I love the fatty foods :D)

Good luck!!!
Dawn :)

[MJB]

Michiko, I have BCBS and 100 strips costs me about $10. I have a Rx for them so if you don't then ask your Doc about writing you one.

[Alice]

Are you able to order you prescriptions through a mail-order plan? I get 90 days for just a few dollars (10 strips a day!)...so that's a real bargain for me.

Make sure your doctor writes the prescription correctly for a few more than you need each day. Some days I test more than others...it all averages out.

[partvalentine]

Where do you get the strip so cheap? Or is it because of your insurance? I have Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I also have Blue Cross insurance, if you have a prescription for the strips the cost would be the same as a name brand prescription. I pay $25.00 for a box of 100. Have your dr. give you a prescription for testing 4 times a day so you will get the big box. Hope that helps.

[slipperyelm]

Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage is different from plan to plan and state to state. See, 2 different people here have 2 different BCBS co-pays. But, yes, get your supplies by prescription so that if your insurance covers it, you will not owe as much out of pocket!

Most of us re-use lancets many times. I've been tesing 14 years and have never bought lancets! My meters have come with about 10 each, then I have gotten 10 more each time for sending in the manufacturer registration cards, and 10 more everytime I filled out a survey for the company.

It seems few of us ever use alcohol to clean the fingers. You just need clean hands, not sterilized hands. Your skin will be in better condition without the alcohol.

Did your meter come with "control solution"? Those cost about $7 and expire shortly after opening. The diabetic educator who showed me how to use my meter told me she had never known anyone who ever used their control solution to verify their meter!...Well, I had reason to use it a couple of times in the past. Had to go to the pharmacy to get a little bottle of it. Actually I had to go to 2 pharmacies for it, as the first didn't have any. They said they'd never had a request for it. The second also said they'd never sold any, but they did have one to sell me....My message is that this is one expense you may never encounter.

As for affording it all, my meds and supplies are much cheaper than they would be without insurance. However, I AM paying all that insurance. Supposedly diabetics are dollar losses to insurance companies, but I am not. I still pay the insurance many times over what my meds and supplies would cost without insurance. Pthbbt---my health insurance costs 3.5 times what my mortgage costs.

I have bad experiences with prescriptions by mail, so I will not likely try that again. I'm glad someone has had good experiences, though.

[Michiko]

I had my doctor write for 100 test trips and refill. I showed my insurance card to pharmacist. Then I still paid $80 something for a box that contains 100 test strips...

I usually pay for $25 for co-payment for office visit. Oh oh.. I am just looking at my insurance card. It says Co-pays: RX 10/20/35 does it mean I shouldn't be paying more than $35?

[RobiJo]

My BCBS covers strips 100% through mail order companies such as DiabeticCareServices.com If I were to go to CVS I would pay close to full price.....not sure why this is the case but it is. Even if you do have a co-pay, it might be the same for one vial of strips as it is for a 3 month supply. (my insulin is this way).

Like others have said...have your doc write the script for more than you need. Some days you just test more and you don't want to run out. Good luck in getting that number down.

[Michiko]

I went to CVS... hmmmmm that is weird.. Then why do they say Rx 10/20/35. I am confused.

[RobiJo]

I went to CVS... hmmmmm that is weird.. Then why do they say Rx 10/20/35. I am confused.

I would definately contact your benefits cordinator and/or insurance representative and find out about your coverage for prescriptions. I was told up front to use mail order for re-occuring/maintenence presciptions because it would be a cheaper or non-existent co-pay.

I don't know what that Rx 10/20/35 number means, hopefully somebody here does, or ask the rep when you call.

[patricia52]

i have state employees insurance administered by bcbs. we pay up front and then are reimbursed at 80% for everything after a $200.00 deductable when we file the proper forms.

[Michiko]

I totally forgot that I have a best friend who was a director of customer service at insurance company in Chicago. She is retired. Ah... She was so helpful.

I went to online benefit information. Ah.. deductible... $250. Which month is it now?? GOsh.. bad luck

Then it seems like mail order seems to be a good option. There will be co-payment for 3 months worth... Express Scripts.. that is. I have to figure out.

So I think I am getting it.. Thank you all for your ideas and feedback and advice :)

[kgm0612]

The reason it cost you so much for the test strips was because you purchased them at a pharmacy, rather than through a medical equipment facility or mail order company.

You should be able to submit your receipt to Blue Cross for some reimbursement on the strips you just purchased.

Karen