Test strip BS with doc

[reefedjib]

My avowed doc, who has been so good to me and my new disease, is giving me grief. I want 300 strips/mo to do Pre and Post Prandial testing and some extras for dose testing. Last time she said the insurance company will only provide 100/mo. I got evidence they will cover 300/mo. I told her my reasons and she was adamant that I didn't need to test that much. She left it that I need to check with my Dietitian: if my dietitian recommends it she will do it. ****! It's no skin off her ***, why doesn't she just prescribe them? I'm frustrated!

[butterflykisses]

I'm suspecting that insurance companies are "encouraging" strip rationing. In all the years I have been testing I have never had a problem with getting strips...until the last time. I was told that insurance wouldn't approve more than 8 a day. But I have been getting 300 a month for a long time. After having this conversation, and leaving without a prescription, I called to have them call in OneTouch strips to use with my pump (was getting 300 freestyle). I go to pick up the strips...test 5 times a day, 150 strips...I was ticked, but in no mood to deal with it so I just left, had the freestyle strips filled later to supplement and decided to wait until I go back in. She better not give me a problem!

You would think that your doctor would be happy that you're working on getting control. At least give you a couple of months to work on it.

[reefedjib]

I'm suspecting that insurance companies are "encouraging" strip rationing. In all the years I have been testing I have never had a problem with getting strips...until the last time. I was told that insurance wouldn't approve more than 8 a day. But I have been getting 300 a month for a long time. After having this conversation, and leaving without a prescription, I called to have them call in OneTouch strips to use with my pump (was getting 300 freestyle). I go to pick up the strips...test 5 times a day, 150 strips...I was ticked, but in no mood to deal with it so I just left, had the freestyle strips filled later to supplement and decided to wait until I go back in. She better not give me a problem!

You would think that your doctor would be happy that you're working on getting control. At least give you a couple of months to work on it.

Yeah, that sucks. I'm not sure they view it as necesary to test that much. My doc thought I was trying to test too much. :(

[MrsMia]

I don't understand why it is so hard to get as many test strips as a diabetic wants. I called my endo's office when my test strip prescription ran out to have them prescribe more and with all the questions I was getting you would think that they were some kind of heavy duty narcotic that was being requested.:rolleyes: If anything, I would think that it is beneficial to have highly motivated patients instead of ones that don't want to do anything to help themselves. And testing often to check blood sugars is the sign of a highly motivated person.

[foxl]

I don't understand why it is so hard to get as many test strips as a diabetic wants. I called my endo's office when my test strip prescription ran out to have them prescribe more and with all the questions I was getting you would think that they were some kind of heavy duty narcotic that was being requested.:rolleyes: If anything, I would think that it is beneficial to have highly motivated patients instead of ones that don't want to do anything to help themselves. And testing often to check blood sugars is the sign of a highly motivated person.

Yeah well ... you would think. But the CEOs of the larger insurers average a tenure of, what, 2 - 3 years? They are not exactly thinking in the long run ... or our best interests.

[Dis-N-Dat]

Hey Rob:

Why wouldn't your PCP want you to test 6 times a day? That makes no sense to me. At least until you gain consistant control of your numbers. Testing 6x per day means that you need 540 strips every 90 days.

Next time you call you insurer, ask them if they have an online rx presence. Most do and have cost break for buying through them if you buy 90 days at a time. If they do, call your PCP back explain the financial cost/benefit of rxing the number of strips you really need.

Hope this helps, it worked for me.

[reefedjib]

My avowed doc, who has been so good to me and my new disease, is giving me grief. I want 300 strips/mo to do Pre and Post Prandial testing and some extras for dose testing. Last time she said the insurance company will only provide 100/mo. I got evidence they will cover 300/mo. I told her my reasons and she was adamant that I didn't need to test that much. She left it that I need to check with my Dietitian: if my dietitian recommends it she will do it.

Well, I saw my dietitian this morning and explained I wanted 300 strips/mo to test thoroughly. I also told her I haven't tested at all these past two weeks, nor followed my diet. I am in major "screw it" mode. But I said I wanted to tighten my control up again and see how food is affecting me. I added that the insurance covers it and what's the big deal? She said I shouldn't "norrmally" need to test that much, meaning when I am maintaining good control. But I am not right now so she thought it makes sense to get me 300/month. She's contacting my doctor.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[foxl]

Excellent. Making a note of your methodology ...

[EeyoreButterfly]

Good job. I went through this when I switched prescriptions after moving. I was getting 200 a month. I switched my prescription to a different pharmacy and suddenly it was 100. Found out that the doc had prescribed 200 but said "test two times daily." When I called her to get it straightened out, she said to only test 1!

Um, hello?! Without frequent testing I would not have known that I go up to 280 many days and started taking steps to fix it. I also have been hypoing multiple times a day at work (getting into the 50's) which means going through strips like nobody's business. Even without the postmeal testing I would be using way more than 2 strips a day. I'm glad I see a new endo and have new insurance on October.

[flowerbabe68]

My first trip to an Edocrinologist brought the same response when I told her how often I tested. I was told,"that's excessive." On telling me the first time about having type 2 diabetes, my family dr advised me to test 3 times a day. I was supposed to learn from the beginning how foods affected my blood glucose by testing once in a while?????????? What's up with this. The cost of my strips are completely covered by my insurance. The Drs act like the cost comes out of their pocket.

[e||ement]

it's because insurance companies think that when you "use" that many strips, you are actually selling them yourself for profit. it makes doctors nervous.

it's completely ridiculous. a non-diabetic knows whereabouts their BS is at all times without testing, right? (i'm making a sweeping assumption here...) but really, why shouldn't we have the same rights? it's not our fault our pancreases kicked the bucket, or our bodies no longer know how to take up insulin.

oh...this debate is one that infuriates me!

i too had to have my DE write a note to my insurance company stating it was necessary for me to test frequently (more than 6 times a day) because they didn't want to cover me for 200 strips a month.

totally ridiculous! glad you got it worked out though rob ;)

[bebe38]

Good to know that I am not the only one that has had this problem. In August when I went in my Endo wrote out a prescription for 6x a day. I get my prescriptions through Caremark (CVS) when I got the box they had a letter in there stating that they had adjusted it to 4x a day since this was a "normal" supply.

When I go back in on September 28 I am going to get them to call it back in for 6x day.

What is "normal" for me IS 6x (or more) a day; wake up, breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime and when I leave work. And that doesn't include random or test reads done to see how different thing effect me.

[reefedjib]

glad you got it worked out though rob ;)

Oh yea, one who counts chickens before the hatching!

I went to my doc today to get the script, based on the fax from my nutritionist, and was told the doc would get in touch with me today...I went to work. I get a call from the doc and this bull**** blows my mind: she wants three days of BG tests, insulin injections and meal carbs. I guess she is going to evaluate whether I need them. Unfortunately I am just testing maybe once a day and eating carbs so my numbers are ****. I am gonna make up the numbers from thin air.

Just ****ing prescribe them already!!! **** it! I take back what I said about my doc being the bestest.

[telizas]

Un f$%^ believable!! Sheesh... try asking for CGMS and see what they say, LOL! I bet your docs head would explode!

"Hey doc, I want to test more often to get better control so I don't have complications like retinopathy."

"No, no, you're fine. Just eat fewer carbs and test when you wake up! Don't want to test too much now! Because pricking your fingers could lead to gangrene if you're diabetic!"
:T

How dumb....

[jer.lawrence]

I haven't been going through insurance and have basically been buying strips "over the counter" for the last month or so. I'm looking forward to seeing the doc again next week. They've told me to only test twice a day as well. I'm not one of those people that test 8x or 10x a day -- I'd just like to have maybe 150 strips a month so that I CAN test up to 5x a day if I want / need to. I typically do 3-4x a day but would like the flexibility to up it.

I haven't had this discussion with my dr. at all yet, so I'm really curious as to how it's going to go. He seems to be a pretty open-minded kind of guy.

I also need to ask for the C-Pep or GAD Antibody test next time I'm there... Wee. I sorta chickened out last month. :P

[jillrapp]

This is just totally ridiculous and I've about had enough of doctors that think they know it all and can determine what's best for us based on limited knowledge.. Their limited knowledge.

Ok Rob.. This is what I had to do.... My nurse is the one that writes the prescriptions and she would write for not more than 4 times/day. I became irate.. it's MY health and only I have to live with the outcome of being in control or not. If I choose to keep my diabetes under tight control so that I may live longer without as many or any complications, I should be applauded not, hot hampered.

I told her to view it this way, anyone on any diabetic medications.. YES, including metformin, should test each time before they get in a car to drive. Metformin, Januvia, Glipizide and Insulin (I am sure there are others) can all cause hypoglycemia.. and it is DANGEROUS to drive low. How many of us drive to and fro, at least 2 times/day? So.. best case scenario.. 2 stips, then we test when we wake up to determine our fasting blood glucose, then we test before and after each meal to determine our need for insulin, and a lot of us test again before bed to see if an adjustment is needed before we sleep. So, if I am smarter than a 5th grader and can do my math, I am counting 10 strips/day already. Now, how many have had a low???? And have had to test 5-8 times until you were stable? Easily we have a need for at least 12 strips/day. Glucose test strips are as much needed for our health is as anything else... why would they deny this? My nurse was more shocked than anything that I would feel a need to be this on top of things. It seems that most aren't as diligent.. well you know what.. I am not always this diligent but it is MY BODY!!! And I have a disease if unchecked is terminal.... let's not let it get that far!

Stand up for yourself, and if your doctor doesn't understand the need, then find another doctor who cares as much about you as you do. It's their job, one they are well paid for. Get what you pay for.

Sorry.. off my rant. I wish you the best Rob, should I come kick some butt?

[reefedjib]

I wish you the best Rob, should I come kick some butt?

Yes, please. Shall I give you her (my doc) email address?

[cyberus]

Sadly, if you want a reason why insurance companies are cracking down on strip counts all you have to do is check out e-bay. I received boxes of strips (pre-insurance) that had 'script stickers (blacked out) still on them.

I had a bit of a problem when my doc first sent in my script for 3-5x day, but when the nurse forwarded the meter download printouts showing I was already testing 3-5x day out of pocket they didn't have a problem with it.

[TommyC1]

I posted about my own dispute in the D forum.
http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/type-1-diabetes/43906-lock-and-load.html
I didn't refill my scrip on time because I wanted to use up some older strips from before I started testing so often. I sent in a refill for 900 strips (10/day for 90 days) and recieved 500.
I called Caremark and raised **** at which point they told me that my Dr. approved the change. Sucker never called me to talk about it. He just said OK. So I called his office but he was too busy to talk so his secretary said she would take care of it.
To date it is still pending with Caremark.
What pisses me off is that I went to this Dr. because of uncontrolled hypos. He's seen my logs. He knows how often I test. He has been very supportive. I've had pretty good results.
And the first time the insurance co calls him he rolls over on me. I don't expect my next visit will be much fun for him.

[foxl]

I posted about my own dispute in the D forum.
http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/type-1-diabetes/43906-lock-and-load.html
I didn't refill my scrip on time because I wanted to use up some older strips from before I started testing so often. I sent in a refill for 900 strips (10/day for 90 days) and recieved 500.
I called Caremark and raised **** at which point they told me that my Dr. approved the change. Sucker never called me to talk about it. He just said OK. So I called his office but he was too busy to talk so his secretary said she would take care of it.
To date it is still pending with Caremark.
What pisses me off is that I went to this Dr. because of uncontrolled hypos. He's seen my logs. He knows how often I test. He has been very supportive. I've had pretty good results.
And the first time the insurance co calls him he rolls over on me. I don't expect my next visit will be much fun for him.

Tommy at least at my endo's it is the nurses who handle the scripts ... I would call THEM to raise **** and not blame the MD. The nurses often do not read charts!

[sarahspins]

I sent in a refill for 900 strips (10/day for 90 days) and recieved 500.

This is almost EXACTLY what happened with my last mail order... I ordered my next 3 months of strips, and they sent me 600. Their reasoning? Because the RX had been transferred from a retail pharmacy, I only had "60 days" remaining on the RX, and they couldn't send me the full 90 day supply. Rather than contact my doctor for an update, they just shipped me what was left on my RX, and charged me the usual 90 day co-pay.. for 60 days! I was livid.. and they refused to fix it. I think that signifies the end of me dealing with RightSourceRX :( I have 3 months left until we're switched to a different plan and I have to use Medco, and my plan only "covers" 200 strips a month.. we'll see how that goes because I tell you what, I am NOT going to accept less than what I need!

It's frustrating.. I use 300 strips in a month, sometimes I go over, and sometimes I am under, but my 900 strips are always gone in 90 days.

I think a majority of the strips that end up on ebay don't actually come from people who order HUGE amounts of strips, they're from people on medicare who sign up with places like Liberty Medical and just get sent supplies they don't ever use simply because they can (I know we all know T2's who never test AT ALL, nevermind ordering extra strips to sell on ebay). I'm sure these people are getting the maximum that medicare will pay for simply because that's what Liberty defaults to for them.

[TommyC1]

I'm still waiting on Caremark. Typicaly they take 4 days from when they tell me that they have recieved the scrip untill they ship. It's been 8 days.
If I have to after them again I'm going to tell them that they will have to accept responsability for me driving and working without knowing where my BS is. Hopefully that will put the fer of liability into them.

[MCS]

My family gives me the same grief about how often I test. It is frustrating to think that some one else would even care how much your are testing to take care of your self. If some day the end of my finger turns black and falls off, then maybe some one can say, (I told you not to test so much), but till then, wheres my strips!



My avowed doc, who has been so good to me and my new disease, is giving me grief. I want 300 strips/mo to do Pre and Post Prandial testing and some extras for dose testing. Last time she said the insurance company will only provide 100/mo. I got evidence they will cover 300/mo. I told her my reasons and she was adamant that I didn't need to test that much. She left it that I need to check with my Dietitian: if my dietitian recommends it she will do it. ****! It's no skin off her ***, why doesn't she just prescribe them? I'm frustrated!

[TommyC1]

Hopefully that will put the fer of liability into them.

fear of liability is what I meant to type.

Boy I sure wish they'd let us edit our typos here.

[reefedjib]

My update from the recent visit to my doc. She took me off Bolus shots, and told me to test 4 times a day: pre-meals and bedtime.

As far as 300/mo goes, she said that was for type 1s. Type 2s don't need as much testing.

[butterflykisses]

I'm still waiting on Caremark. Typicaly they take 4 days from when they tell me that they have recieved the scrip untill they ship. It's been 8 days.
If I have to after them again I'm going to tell them that they will have to accept responsability for me driving and working without knowing where my BS is. Hopefully that will put the fer of liability into them.

Caremark are the idiots that REFUSED to fix a script screw up on my insulin. The doc wrote the script writing in the quantity and not a dosage. I use a pump. Evidently Caremark called the doc to get exact dosage and the nurse gave them my basal dose so they disregarded how many bottles he wrote and figured it based on my basal rate! And then they didn't even send me enough insulin based on just that! When I called them they told me that that's what the doctor ordered and that they can't change a prescription. I told the woman that it was obviously a mistake...I have to EAT too. She would not budge, insisting there was nothing she could do because that's what the doctor prescribed. I asked her to call and she REFUSED, said that they could not change the prescription! I did get her to give me a partial credit...but I never mail ordered from them again. I would rather just pay more than to deal with them...cut off my nose to spite my face? Probably. :T I called the doc myself his nurse said she would call them. I had an appointment the next day and the nurse asked me if I got my prescription worked out, said she called and was told "it was resolved".:mad:

[jer.lawrence]

I haven't been going through insurance and have basically been buying strips "over the counter" for the last month or so. I'm looking forward to seeing the doc again next week. They've told me to only test twice a day as well. I'm not one of those people that test 8x or 10x a day -- I'd just like to have maybe 150 strips a month so that I CAN test up to 5x a day if I want / need to. I typically do 3-4x a day but would like the flexibility to up it.


I don't want to jack the thread, but I called my insurance company today and they told me they cover 200 a month, so I let the doc know and that's what he wrote me for. I think I got lucky.

[KimberlyType1]

I had that issue. I called my primary and asked her to write a script for strips, so now I just fill to scripts a month. It works out just fine. Insurance covers it.

[GeishaGirl]

Honestly, listening to you guys makes me realize how lucky I am :( My doctor thinks my testing is a little excessive, but she also understands that I am psychologically terrified of lows (childhood traumas) but am trying to keep my sugar within that strict window of acceptable. Unless she thinks it'll be bad for me, she'll write me a script for whatever I want. I THINK I get about 800 strips per 90 days, because it's on the record that I test, on average, 10-12x/day. Once in awhile, Liberty calls to see that things are still status quo, and once a year I need my endo to fill out a new script with the same numbers, but other than that, I have no problems with getting strips.