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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 04-24-2008, 10:01 PM
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 19
Question Newbie with a question

Hey there....

so i just realised that i get 100 test strips per month covered by my insurance company...thats the equivelant of testing 3 times a day...Since this is my first month i seem to have run out early...

Is the 100 per month normal or do i have a sucky insurance plan?

I have United Healthcare which has been good to me in the past.

thoughts?
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Old 04-24-2008, 10:13 PM
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I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,816
It depends on what your doctor wrote the prescription for. 100 strips a month is pretty typical for a type 2 not on insulin. You can usually refill after 25 days, for 4 tests a day. However, since you're new, it may be appropriate to get extra strips the first month or two so you can experiment some.
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Old 04-25-2008, 06:25 AM
princesslinda's Avatar
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 7,261
My insurance allows 100 strips every 25 days as a maximum for T2 not on insulin.

You can get the more generic Reli-On meter at Walmart and buy their strips for a good price...I have this one as back-up if I run out of strips.
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Old 04-25-2008, 07:18 AM
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I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,838
Dan........

Call your doctor and ask him to write your script for 200 a month, rather than 100. I'm a type 1 pumper with United Healthcare. I get 300 test strips a month and at one point was getting 400.

Karen
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Old 04-28-2008, 06:40 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 24
My insurance only covers 90 strips every THREE months for type 2! That's 50 a month! I have a Wal-Mart Reli-on for a backup. I can buy a box of 100 strips for $42.98, which I use as backup. It's accurate as my Accu-Chek Aviva, usually within 2 points. In my case, it doesn't matter what the MD writes, 50 a month is it! I agree, some insurance plans suck but hey, I'm only an EMT with county insurance!
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Old 04-28-2008, 08:21 AM
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I am a: Type 1
 
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90 every 3 months would be 30 a month, no? That stinks. Unless you're on Medicaid or Medicare, you should be able to get a letter of medical necessity.
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Old 04-28-2008, 08:25 AM
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I am a: Type 1
 
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Location: Derby,UK
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I really feel for you guys who have to rely on your insurance, as i live in UK we get most of our healthcare supplies free. At least you lot get a lot more choice than us, but if you haven't got insurance it can be quite difficult so i'm told.
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Old 04-28-2008, 08:37 AM
notme's Avatar
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I am a: Type 1
 
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Location: Northern California
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I also have United Healthcare and I get 300 per month. I am sure some of that is based on being type one vs. type two and they probably have some sort of rule. Are you on insulin? If your doctor writes you a letter of medical necessity for more strips, the insurance company is obliged to send you the proper amount. Call your doctor.
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Old 04-29-2008, 06:38 PM
Phonelady61's Avatar
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I am a: Type 1.5
 
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i feel you

Quote:
Originally Posted by superemt View Post
My insurance only covers 90 strips every THREE months for type 2! That's 50 a month! I have a Wal-Mart Reli-on for a backup. I can buy a box of 100 strips for $42.98, which I use as backup. It's accurate as my Accu-Chek Aviva, usually within 2 points. In my case, it doesn't matter what the MD writes, 50 a month is it! I agree, some insurance plans suck but hey, I'm only an EMT with county insurance!
I know someone who works 70 hrs a wk and cannot afford health insurance gotta love america !!
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Old 04-29-2008, 07:33 PM
Keezheekoni's Avatar
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I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Kent, WA USA
Posts: 2,773
I have UHC also. Our prescription plan allows 6.6 strips per day or 200 strips per 30 day period. My doctor sent a fax to the Medco pre-authorization people saying that I'm a T1 and test up to 16 times per day. They went ahead and ended up covering 400 strips per month for my single copay of $10. 400 strips ends up being 13.3 tests per day, so I'm cool with that... It's not like I'm going to run out of strips anytime soon since I've got a stockpile of about 2500 strips for a different meter!

The point of this is to have your doctor call Medco's (UHC's prescription service) pre-auth line and get your coverage increased!
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  #11 (permalink)  
Old 04-29-2008, 07:44 PM
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I am a: Type 2
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 19
great advice, thanks....
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