Where to Find Cheap Test Strips?

[Jess's Friend]

I'm posting for a friend who doesn't have computer access. Because of her diabetes and related health issues, she's unable to work, and her insurance has run out. She's barely scraping by, and the cost of her test strips is killing her. I fear she isn't testing her BG often enough because fifty cents to a dollar a test strip really adds up fast when you have no income.

Anyone know what the cheapest test strips are, or where she can turn for help with the expense?

[retired60]

Wal Mart has The Side Kick, which is a meter and vial of 50 for $19.98. These have been right on with my more exspensive test strips

[jeggeman31]

What kind of meter does she have?

[Jess's Friend]

She has a bunch of different meters -- maybe 5 or 6, but I the only one I know the name of is that Sidekick from Walmart because she'd mentioned what a deal it was. Do they sell strips separately for that one? I think if she knew what strips were cheapest, she'd just buy that meter or find it for free somewhere.

[jeggeman31]

I am going to send you a PM

[Jess's Friend]

:D Thank you! :D

[gettingby]

If she has a Freestyle meter, she (or you) can check out the site below and call them about the program they offer.
FreeStyle Promise™ - Diabetes Resources For Your Lifestyle (http://www.myfreestyle.com/promise.html)

[Eddy]

Using ReliOn (Wal-Mart) test strips, I'm down to about $1600/yr in test strips. I'd certainly appreciate any pointers on dropping that a bit more.

Maybe it would be good to sticky this thread...

[EeyoreButterfly]

Eddy, look into the promise program link posted above.

Also, many companies offer patient prescription assistance programs. Somebody posted on here not too long ago that they received a free meter and are getting a year's worth of testing supplies from Abbott (the makers of Freestyle) through their prescription assistance program.

ETA: Here is the link to the aforementioned post http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/monitoring/20788-just-got-approved-abbott.html

[busdriver]

I stumbled upon American Diabetes Warehouse when looking for Aviva strips.

They are like $28.50 there (for 50 strips), everywhere else I looked was around $50.

Got them quick too!

[movieman111540]

I bought this meter too use in an emergency.
Tested with the control solution supplied and got good results. I tested several times and results did not seem right so I compared it to two other meters (well known brands) and found on every test there was about 25 to 30 point lower reading with the Side Kick. The other two meters were very close (abt. 2 to 3 points difference). I don't trust the readings and have quit using it.

[Delphinus]

I got really lucky today, well, my girlfriend won 100 OneTouch Ultra strips in an Ebay aution today.

They are only going to be $28, shipping included and expire in August, 2010. I test 6-8 times a day. It is almost a personal obsession at this point.

So I am happy. Woooooooooooo!

I just bought 100 last week for around $85.

They are a killer.

I am going to patent reusable strips. I know it's possible, just the pharmacy companies would lose too much if they manufactured them.

[cyberus]

I bought this meter too use in an emergency.
Tested with the control solution supplied and got good results. I tested several times and results did not seem right so I compared it to two other meters (well known brands) and found on every test there was about 25 to 30 point lower reading with the Side Kick. The other two meters were very close (abt. 2 to 3 points difference). I don't trust the readings and have quit using it.

Results seem to be the same for all the TrueTrack variants, I still have mine in case $$ requires that I fall back to it but if I do I'll add 25pts to the reading.

[SammyIamToday]

I stumbled onto this site earlier. Diabetic Items (http://www.biousa.com/dipr.html) I've been using the Accu-chek Compact Plus because I like the modular setup and the drums because it's easier. They were basically half the price of Walmart for the strips with shipping. I just ordered now, so I can't verify they ship fast and stuff yet, but it looks good so far.

[Eddy]

Eddy, look into the promise program link posted above.


It was disappointing. For those without insurance, the once-per-month discount results in a box of test strips that still are more expensive than ReliOn. (And how I hate getting ReliOn: Wal-Mart so often is out of stock... yet lies to me when I inquire beforehand... and then tries to claim that I didn't call ahead or tell them that it was a prescription!)

[busdriver]

I stumbled onto this site earlier. Diabetic Items (http://www.biousa.com/dipr.html) I've been using the Accu-chek Compact Plus because I like the modular setup and the drums because it's easier. They were basically half the price of Walmart for the strips with shipping. I just ordered now, so I can't verify they ship fast and stuff yet, but it looks good so far.


Whoa, thank you Sammy!

They sell my Aviva strips for $22 for 50....I thought ADW was good at $31. Unless shipping is inflated, it's a heckuva deal.

One thing was a bit disconcerting...the product description said, "new, in unopened box". Well DUH, I hope the **** so!

I don't need 'em right now, but let us know how they are.

[SammyIamToday]

Whoa, thank you Sammy!

They sell my Aviva strips for $22 for 50....I thought ADW was good at $31. Unless shipping is inflated, it's a heckuva deal.

One thing was a bit disconcerting...the product description said, "new, in unopened box". Well DUH, I hope the **** so!

I don't need 'em right now, but let us know how they are.

Shipping was 7.95 for 2 boxes of strips for me. Which is high, but it still put the strips at half-price compared to Wal-Mart. Not sure how that compares to the other site. I kinda knee-jerk ordered those because I thought they were a great deal. Still not here yet, so I'll give feedback as soon as I get them.

[Cloudedbrains]

If you do a google serach for "Abbott Patient Assistance Application Form" - up it pops and it says that "typically no insurance or other alternative means of coverage" - so got to be worth trying for it !!

Also - this link may be of use to some:

Abbott Diabetes Patient Assistance Program - Patient Assistance Programs (http://www.patientassistance.com/profile/abbott-19/#)

Patient Assistance Programs - Prescription Drugs for the Uninsured (http://www.patientassistance.com/)

[Jae]

I know this is probably not the thing to say out loud but I have no insurance and have to save money where I can. I try not to skimp on the Doctor but for test strips I buy them on ebay. When they are 54.00 at walmart and I can get them on ebay for 6.00 that is how I have to do it. It is the best I can do with what I have. Please note though they are EXPIRED. However my A1C test are good so I know they are working.
This is how I have to manage
I wish you well with this
Jae

[SammyIamToday]

Whoa, thank you Sammy!

They sell my Aviva strips for $22 for 50....I thought ADW was good at $31. Unless shipping is inflated, it's a heckuva deal.

One thing was a bit disconcerting...the product description said, "new, in unopened box". Well DUH, I hope the **** so!

I don't need 'em right now, but let us know how they are.

Strips got to my house yesterday. Came from California somewhere, so pretty fast shipping. They were exactly what I wanted, so I will be buying from that site almost exclusively I think.

[foxl]

What's the expiration date?

[yannah]

I have a one touch mini and a true track. little difference between the two. I don't know why it works for me. infact, I took the true track for my last two labs. the meter said 108 the lab said 103. second time the meter said 100 the lab said 88. the true track is usually lower than the one touch, but not by too much.

[SammyIamToday]

What's the expiration date?

12/2009 was the date on both of the boxes I ordered.

[foxl]

12/2009 was the date on both of the boxes I ordered.

Thanks! (zips off to bookmark URL).

[busdriver]

Strips got to my house yesterday. Came from California somewhere, so pretty fast shipping. They were exactly what I wanted, so I will be buying from that site almost exclusively I think.


Thanks for the update, Sammy. I ordered 100 strips on Saturday night (4-11) and I hope they get here before I run out.

I was getting a little nervous because they did not send the e-mail confirmation they said they would. (visions of a crooked webmaster having a ball with my credit card!)...so your post is a relief.

PS: I wonder how they make any money selling strips that go for $50+ at any store for 22 bucks? Is the margin that high on those **** things?

[SammyIamToday]

Thanks for the update, Sammy. I ordered 100 strips on Saturday night (4-11) and I hope they get here before I run out.

I was getting a little nervous because they did not send the e-mail confirmation they said they would. (visions of a crooked webmaster having a ball with my credit card!)...so your post is a relief.

PS: I wonder how they make any money selling strips that go for $50+ at any store for 22 bucks? Is the margin that high on those **** things?

Yeah, not sure how they sell at that, but I won't ask questions. ;)

I never got a confirmation e-mail that they had shipped or anything. I was expecting slow shipping, then I came home last night and they were here. So, not so bad after all.

[busdriver]

Yeah, not sure how they sell at that, but I won't ask questions. ;)

I never got a confirmation e-mail that they had shipped or anything. I was expecting slow shipping, then I came home last night and they were here. So, not so bad after all.


I got mine today. They expire 11-30-09 which is a little sooner than usual....but what the hey, they'll be used up WAY before that. I ordered two boxes of 50, but they shipped one box of 100...I guess that doesn't matter.

One thing that was odd...on the invoice, it said the "Referrer" was www. diabetesforum, etc....(THIS thread). I used the link you provided here, but how could they connect that to this site???

Oh well, unless these strips are duds, they got themselves another customer!

[SammyIamToday]

I got mine today. They expire 11-30-09 which is a little sooner than usual....but what the hey, they'll be used up WAY before that. I ordered two boxes of 50, but they shipped one box of 100...I guess that doesn't matter.

One thing that was odd...on the invoice, it said the "Referrer" was www. diabetesforum, etc....(THIS thread). I used the link you provided here, but how could they connect that to this site???

Oh well, unless these strips are duds, they got themselves another customer!

Most web browsers provide to a website which website you came from. So, when you click on a link from these forums, most of the sites you go to will realize you came from here.

Mine have tested good with control solution, so I'm pretty happy so far. I think I'll be giving them a lot of business.

[Jay B]

I use the ReliOn Micro when my insurance strips run out. The strips are readily available at Wal Mart, among the least expensive meter & strips, and require the least amount of blood-- only 0.3 uL.