Holy empty wallet.....

[Bull]

Wow my first time buying test strips!!!
My Ins only covered 20 bucks I paid 80 for 100 strips!!!!!!!

Man oh man second job here I come!

[butterflykisses]

wow, that seems backwards! you should call and find out whether they have a preferred brand that will get you a better price. Also sometimes there's a mailorder 90 day supply option that is much cheaper. If nothing else, there are cheaper strips, just get another meter.

[RobertIA]

Bull,

Check out the following link: Diabetes - The Scoop On Finding Cheap Test Strips and Meters (http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/9993/84117/finding-meters?ic=6044).

Some good research went into the information given. May mean changing meters, but these costs are for real.

Bob

[Bull]

wow, that seems backwards! you should call and find out whether they have a preferred brand that will get you a better price. Also sometimes there's a mailorder 90 day supply option that is much cheaper. If nothing else, there are cheaper strips, just get another meter.
Yeah my Doctor gave me a Frestyle freedom light.
I guess I may have to look for another meter.

[butterflykisses]

I've heard good things about the Wavesense meters. The Presto in particular has cheap strips and can be found at a lot of Walmarts. But before you go looking for a meter, do call your insurance company and find out exactly what your benefits are. You'd be surprise how many people pay more than they need to because they don't know the restrictions of their insurance.

[Bull]

Ok my Insurance covers ACCU-CHEK Aviva.
Funny thing, I'm the Asst. Fire Chief in the town where they are made. I'm going to pick one up.
So my Ins will cover more of the cost!!

[barbarac]

Ok my Insurance covers ACCU-CHEK Aviva.
Funny thing, I'm the Asst. Fire Chief in the town where they are made. I'm going to pick one up.
So my Ins will cover more of the cost!!

Check with your Dr. first--don't pay for a new meter--often they will give you a free meter at the office.

[butterflykisses]

Ok my Insurance covers ACCU-CHEK Aviva.
Funny thing, I'm the Asst. Fire Chief in the town where they are made. I'm going to pick one up.
So my Ins will cover more of the cost!!

That's my favorite meter, although I don't use it because of my pump choice.:( Still use the lancet device that comes with it though. It's kind of large for some but I LOVE it. The lancet barrels are a lot higher than the traditional type though. If you chose to change your lancet every time or a lot more than me (which is not very often) you might want to hold on to the Freestyle lancet because you can lancets cheaper for it.

[butterflykisses]

Check with your Dr. first--don't pay for a new meter--often they will give you a free meter at the office.

Yes, forgot that! Or maybe your insurance will provide you one for free. And if not, call Accu-Chek and they will most likely send you one for free, especially since it's preferred under your insurance. They make money off strips, not meters.

[ShottleBop]

I can usually find Aviva test strips online for 50 cents or so.

[Bull]

Well because I am there (at the MFG plant) alot for alarms with the FD, I wrote them a letter. I have a feeling I will have a meter next time I get a call there.LOL

[Mothernature]

There was a coupon in last Sundays paper for $15 off. The meters are $15 at Walgreens until Sunday.

[Doodle]

I use the Contour meter (doctor gave it to me) and I was surprised at the price of testing strips, also. I had to pay $37 for 25 strips. It was all I could afford because 100 of them cost $135. I got lucky, though. My sister-in-law has a friend who works for a company and I can get my strips for free. She just gave me 80 strips and I couldn't be happier. She told me to just let her know when I need more and she'll get them for me. I, also, have a foot ulcer and she can get me all the bandages and medical tape I need at no cost. But, like I said, I just got lucky.

[jer.lawrence]

I use the Contour meter (doctor gave it to me) and I was surprised at the price of testing strips, also. I had to pay $37 for 25 strips. It was all I could afford because 100 of them cost $135. I got lucky, though. My sister-in-law has a friend who works for a company and I can get my strips for free. She just gave me 80 strips and I couldn't be happier. She told me to just let her know when I need more and she'll get them for me. I, also, have a foot ulcer and she can get me all the bandages and medical tape I need at no cost. But, like I said, I just got lucky.

That's awesome! My insurance plan is one of those high deductible things with a Health Savings Account attached to it, so I can pay for strips with money that already is coming out of my paycheck weekly... I HOPE it's enough.. I use the OneTouch ones as well and have been paying like 58 dollars for 50 packs.

[MCS]

I use the side kick from Reli-on, at Wal-Mart, $20 for the meter and 50 strips. Meter is done at 52 test, throw it away and purchase a new one.

[Dis-N-Dat]

Hi Bull:

Call your insurance carrier. Many of them have and online Rx site. By going through my insurance company, I was able to get 540 strips (90 days worth) for $60.00.

When I was 1st dx'd and didn't know better I went to the pharmacy and paid $1.00 per strip, WITH INSURANCE (Yikes).

Hope this helps. We're always on the look out for better deals on strips. As someone here said "Diabetes is an expensive addicton" :D

[Sherlock]

Check out the infinity. I love this! The strips are 100 for less than $30.

Infinity Blood Glucose Meter Plus 50 Strips - Hocks.com (http://hocks.com/hocks-healthcare/hocks-product/FM-23.html?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_term=FM-23)

[palefacegirl03]

Check out the websites on these meters. Freestyle has the Promise Program and it helps cover the copays on strips. Contour has one similar to it also.
Accu chek is very good about mailing out free meters, and they have great customer service, they have a patient assistance program that will supply you with a meter and strips for the year if you qualify , as does Freestyle.

[gettingby]

I sent away for a Promise card and received 2. If anyone needs it, PM me. :)

[Bull]

Ok I just got my co pay down to 40 bucks and then I even got the card in the mail from them.
I'll see what happens next month!

[lewisjl]

RobertIA listed an article "Diabetes - The Scoop on Finding Cheap Test Strips and Meters." I have just read that article and it said "It is important to throw out your meter after about a year to maintain consistency." I'm new to all this, but I've had my meter since I had gestational D 6 years ago!!! OMG!!! I have replaced the battery several times, but I should have replaced the meter? I need to clarify that I didn't use the meter for about 4 of those years and have only used it regularly in the last 6 months.

[RobertIA]

RobertIA listed an article "Diabetes - The Scoop on Finding Cheap Test Strips and Meters." I have just read that article and it said "It is important to throw out your meter after about a year to maintain consistency." I'm new to all this, but I've had my meter since I had gestational D 6 years ago!!! OMG!!! I have replaced the battery several times, but I should have replaced the meter? I need to clarify that I didn't use the meter for about 4 of those years and have only used it regularly in the last 6 months.
lewisjl, The biggest reason for doing this is that if you use a meter like I do, it takes a lot of knocks, a couple of drops off the table, desk or other surfaces and like any electronic device, it can become more less accurate then or over time or like a few of mine - quit working.

Most insurance carriers do allow yearly replacement. Without insurance - most endo's do have the meters available free.

Now if you are very careful and treat a meter with tender loving care - you are to be commended. I am just too rough on meters. It still is a good idea to replace at least every two years. With meter manufacturers changing meters and test strips every few years, it is still recommended that you make a habit of getting a new one.

Hope this gives some of the reasons for changing meters.

Bob

[eskimo]

I mentioned on another post - Bayer has a deal goin where they help pay the co-pay. I use the Bayer, Breeze2 and pay $5 per 100. Simple Wins - Home (http://www.simplewins.com) for info.

[UpNorth]

Just thought i'd say from own experience that the Accu-Chek Aviva is one great monitor. So easy to use and the test strips are very easy to handle. Freestyle Lite is very good too. I'm currently using Freestyle Lite, Accu-Chek Aviva and Accu-Chek Compact plus, but rarely the Compact these days. Looking into trying an Accu-Chek Mobile later on if it ever reaches my country, or i might be able to buy it through a friend abroad.
Pointless ramble:o But the point is, i hope you'll have a monitor with better insurance coverage really soon:) I feel very lucky to not have to think of such things, here we don't pay for any supplies other than possibly the meter itself.

[diabetic_z]

My dad is type 2 and has been for some time. I was recently Dxed type 2 last week. At the moment, I am unemployed and without health insurance. Luckily, my dad gets a new meter every year and has plenty of test strips. He takes great care of his meters and gave me his old OneTouch UltraSmart. It came in the box and still looks new. Aside from having to prick myself through out the day, I am happy with my "new" meter.