Insurance Changing my Meter

dbaratta · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 03:03 PM

My insurance company says my freedom freestyle is not a good meter anymore, something to do with the test strips. I have had it for 2-years, no problems, oh well.

They suggest the Bayer Contour, what do you guys think?

notme · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 03:27 PM

I personally think they are looking to find cheaper strips. I doubt it will make much difference to you if you are not using any software to dowload to your computer.

If you are using software, contact your doctor to see if he will prescribe the strips for your meter stating that you need it for your care. Maybe the insurance company will bend.

I hate end of the year insurance stupidity.....

ShottleBop · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 04:01 PM

It may be that FDA warning about certain glucose meters not working correctly with some medications: Advice for Patients: Serious Errors with Certain Blood Glucose Monitoring Test Strips. FreeStyle is one of the meters listed. The insurance company may just be playing it safe. (In their notice to pick a new meter, did they specify any brands to avoid? Bayer is not one of the listed brands, so that recommendation would make sense.)

sridder · #4 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 04:17 PM

I use the Bayer Contour meter - it was the one I was "given" at my first endo appointment since it was approved by my insurance carrier.

Penny · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 04:41 PM

I use the Contour too. Really do not think their strips are too cheap...because I will not have insurance payiing for mine, after January, I have been comparing prices. So far it looks like between $50 and $60 for 50 strips. Seems like mine are about the same as all of them. I checked mine with my doctor's meter and the lab, and it was very close. I also have a backup Contour and it always shows my BS, 10 less than my main meter, but the other meters I have also give me different readings.

MoCoke · #6 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 04:45 PM

I got a notice that my insurance company was switching everyone over to the Freestyle meters and for me to pick one of theirs. I called my insurance to see what was up and they told me that if I wanted a new meter, I'd have to pick one of the Freestyle ones, but that I could continue to get my OneTouch strips if I wanted since those were the strips I have been using all along.

So, I called Lifescan and told them that my insurance company wanted me to switch to a Freestyle meter and I didn't want to, so, they'd just have to send me a new meter.

) and they did.

Now I'm using the Ping pump so I'm still with the One Touch strips.

dbaratta · #7 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShottleBop

It may be that FDA warning about certain glucose meters not working correctly with some medications: Advice for Patients: Serious Errors with Certain Blood Glucose Monitoring Test Strips. FreeStyle is one of the meters listed. The insurance company may just be playing it safe. (In their notice to pick a new meter, did they specify any brands to avoid? Bayer is not one of the listed brands, so that recommendation would make sense.)

That is exactly what it is. I got the note. there are problems with high readings. Wonderful.

Well, I guess I will talk to my medical supply place and see what they think. And do some research on my own.

thans

dbaratta · #8 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoCoke

So, I called Lifescan and told them that my insurance company wanted me to switch to a Freestyle meter and I didn't want to, so, they'd just have to send me a new meter.

) and they did.

Now I'm using the Ping pump so I'm still with the One Touch strips.

From what I was told the strips were the problem so if you are using a different strip then you should be okay. Here is exactly what the note from Blue Cross said.

The us food and drug administration recently reported that false high blood sugar results might occur with blood glucose meters that test strips that use a technology known as GDH-PQQ. These false results occur only in patients receiving therapeutic products containing non-glucose sugars, used primarily by patients undergoing kidney dialysis. oru records indicate that Roche or Abbott products you currently use feature this type of technologyl

Although problems are rare, BCN believes the most prudent course of action is to avoid GDH-PQQ glucose test strips entirely.

dbaratta · #9 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny

I use the Contour too. Really do not think their strips are too cheap...because I will not have insurance payiing for mine, after January, I have been comparing prices. So far it looks like between $50 and $60 for 50 strips. Seems like mine are about the same as all of them. I checked mine with my doctor's meter and the lab, and it was very close. I also have a backup Contour and it always shows my BS, 10 less than my main meter, but the other meters I have also give me different readings.

No, it isn't about the money with my insurance, it is about safety. Even though I have never had a problem. They pay for me to test 6-times a day with no problem or complaint.

ShottleBop · #10 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 05:55 AM

I have tested out the WaveSense Presto (got it for free, after rebate, and have been testing at the same time as I take my readings using my Accu-Chek). It seems to be about as consistent as the Accu-Chek, and is giving me readings that are mostly within a few points, up or down, from the Accu-Chek. I've never tried the Contour.

huskerdan25 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny

I use the Contour too. Really do not think their strips are too cheap...because I will not have insurance payiing for mine, after January, I have been comparing prices. So far it looks like between $50 and $60 for 50 strips. Seems like mine are about the same as all of them. I checked mine with my doctor's meter and the lab, and it was very close. I also have a backup Contour and it always shows my BS, 10 less than my main meter, but the other meters I have also give me different readings.

Penny, check out heathwarehouse.com for strips. I have an Aviva and a Breeze2 and I pay $48 for 100 strips for my Aviva and $51 for 100 strips for my Breeze2.

I just checked and you can get your Contour strips at $25 per 50. These are great prices and you usually get the strips within 3-5 days. And free shipping.

Dan

Penny · #12 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huskerdan25

Penny, check out heathwarehouse.com for strips. I have an Aviva and a Breeze2 and I pay $48 for 100 strips for my Aviva and $51 for 100 strips for my Breeze2.

I just checked and you can get your Contour strips at $25 per 50. These are great prices and you usually get the strips within 3-5 days. And free shipping.

Dan

Thanks Dan, that will be a big help.

jcaboose · #13 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 11:22 PM

My endo's office gave me a Contour as my first meter a few weeks ago, because it was 'simple.' When I went to get the strips and lancets at the pharmacy, a guy from Abbott was there giving away Freestyles, and I got the Freestyle Lite. At first, the readings between the two were very different, but when I've used them side by side a few times since then, they've been very close. I actually prefer the way the test strips work with the Contour, as it's much easier to see whether you're doing it right. If you're carrying around the whole kit, like I do, the difference in size is not enough to matter. I'm very fortunate with my insurance coverage, I can basically get whatever my doctors prescribe for a minimal co-pay, so I don't have to worry about the financial impact. Good thing I changed jobs before my diagnosis, as the coverage through my old one was terrible!

ramon · #14 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShottleBop

It may be that FDA warning about certain glucose meters not working correctly with some medications: Advice for Patients: Serious Errors with Certain Blood Glucose Monitoring Test Strips. FreeStyle is one of the meters listed. The insurance company may just be playing it safe. (In their notice to pick a new meter, did they specify any brands to avoid? Bayer is not one of the listed brands, so that recommendation would make sense.)

I recently had surgery and use the Accu-Check Aviva but cant find no model # Is there anyway I can check this out?

dbaratta · #15 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaboose

My endo's office gave me a Contour as my first meter a few weeks ago, because it was 'simple.' When I went to get the strips and lancets at the If you're carrying around the whole kit, like I do, the difference in size is not enough to matter. I'm very fortunate with my insurance coverage, I can basically get whatever my doctors prescribe for a minimal co-pay, so I don't have to worry about the financial impact. Good thing I changed jobs before my diagnosis, as the coverage through my old one was terrible!

Okay, thanks! I don't have to pay anything for my testing supplies so I will stick with whatever they want me to. They are worried about the test strips not working properly on the Freestyle and not the money so I am good with this. I have not seen any negative feed-back on that Contour so I will probably go with that one.

Thanks!