How Much Do Diabetic Test Strips Cost? Our New Pricecheck Project
Summary: Managing chronic conditions like diabetes can be costly, even if you have insurance. We’re starting a segment in our PriceCheck project to crowdsource the price of a common diabetic supply, the test strip. This is the fourth item in our PriceCheck series; the first three were mammograms, MRI’s, and IUD’s. You can not only share on our PriceCheck page, but also search to see the results of our data collection, and you can find the three partners’ blog posts here on our collective page, or join our community on our Facebook page. Diabetes relates to the way your body uses blood sugar or glucose. If you have diabetes, either Type 1 or Type 2, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, and that can lead to complications. (Here’s a nice Mayo Clinic explainer on diabetes.) Experts say 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, and as many as 79 million have prediabetes. The worst complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, eye damage (which can lead to blindness), foot disease (which can lead to amputation) and other ills. To make their treatments clear, diabetics commonly measure their blood glucose level with a meter and a test strip. That testing level tells whether their glucose levels are in range or not, and thus whether they need to use medications. The test strip has chemicals that react with the glucose in the blood; each strip is used and then discarded. Prices for test strips (the white strip in the picture) can vary widely, from $87.99 for a box of 50 Accu-Check Smartview strips at Walgreens, to $49.99 for a box of 100 Walgreens brand strips at Walgreens — or, if your insurance covers them, perhaps you get them at no charge. We have heard prices ranging from 25 cents to $1 per test strip, which adds up quickly. Ou Continue reading >>
How Accurate Are Your Diabetes Test Strips And Glucose Monitors?
Last month, we asked people with diabetes to share what they pay for their test strips. It's part of our ongoing #PriceCheck collaboration. We've heard that the cost of test strips can vary greatly. We've also heard that these test strips - and the blood glucose monitors they're used with - can provide inaccurate data. As we've dug into this topic, people with diabetes and clinicians have told us that the inaccuracy of these strips and glucometers is a huge – and life-threatening – issue. Accuracy questioned Strip Safely is an online campaign intended to raise awareness about the inaccurate blood glucose test strips and monitors on the market – and spark change. Here's how it describes this problem: "Patients using meters that fail to meet accuracy standards face increased risks. Inaccurately high meter readings may cause patients to take too much insulin resulting in insulin shock. Conversely, meters that incorrectly show low results may keep patients from taking enough insulin. To [sic] little insulin may cause high blood glucose and possibly risky diabetic ketoacidosis." On the diabetes blog Six Until Me, Kerri Morrone Sparling wrote in 2011 about her experiments with different glucose meters. She has photos of several meters displaying very different blood sugar numbers. She writes: I know there is an "acceptable" 20% margin of error, but how would you even know to double-check your meter? This issue matters to me, and it matters a lot. These glucose meters are the only tools I have to monitor my blood sugars, and I make treatment decisions based on their results. I need them to be consistent, and accurate. If I'm treating highs that aren't high, I could end up with a serious hypoglycemic event. And if I'm treating lows that aren't lows, I'll end up running hi Continue reading >>
When Do You Need A Prescription For Diabetic Test Strips?
When Do You Need A Prescription for Diabetic Test Strips? Whether or not you need a prescription to purchase diabetic test strips depends on one thing. Read this article to find out how it all works. If you’re one of the 29 million Americans living with diabetes, you likely have a lot of questions about how to get the medication you need. We’re sure you also have questions about how you can keep the costs of supplies, test strips, lancets, and hospital visits down. Even if you’re working out and taking care of yourself, you may feel like you can’t do much to fight back against the rising costs of life with diabetes. In this post, we’ll talk about whether or not you need a prescription to get diabetic test strips. We’ll also talk about how the cost of diabetes is different for the insured and the uninsured diabetes patient. No matter what your coverage is like, it’s always a smart idea to look for bargains, ways to save, and ways to make back some of the money you’ve spent on diabetic test strips. Read this post to learn how to save better. The Costs Of Diabetes: Insured vs. Uninsured There’s no getting around it: life with diabetes is costly. In fact, recent figures show that the average yearly cost for one person living with diabetes is about $13,700. Unfortunately, that same study showed that those without health insurance who are living with a diabetes diagnosis get 68% fewer prescriptions, and 79% fewer doctor visits, than those that are insured. Though most states have made sure insurance companies are required to cover medical costs and supplies, you still have to do a good amount of work to get certain things covered by your plan. You may even have to write them letters just to make back a small portion of what you spend on supplies like diabeti Continue reading >>
How Much Does A Glucose Meter Cost?
Blood glucose meters vary tremendously. For those without insurance, a meter can cost between $8.99 and $1,150, but averages $20-$80. While all meters perform the same function, the cost depends primarily on the meter's extra features. According to the American Diabetes Association[1] the least expensive blood glucose meters often simply provide a digital display of the results. More expensive blood glucose meters can store several months of readings and can communicate with a computer so that the patient can download printable datasets to share with their physician. The most expensive blood glucose meter on the market is called the Accu-Chek Voicemate Blood Glucose Monitor[2] . This meter, which sells for just over $600 to more than $1,000, is designed for the visually impaired and offers a variety of features, including voiced instructions (which are also available in Spanish) and the ability to store numerous readings. Individuals with insurance will pay typical copays and coinsurance rates, which can range from $5 to 50 percent of the cost for the device. Blood glucose meters require the purchase of test strips, which a diabetic patient could use up to 12 times a day. Test strips are specific to the blood glucose meter and range in cost from $.35 each to $1 each, according to an article published in the Medical Laboratory Observer[3] . Individuals with insurance coverage for the test strip packages can expect to pay typical copays and coinsurance rates, which can range from $5 to $50. Lancets (small, thin needles used to puncture the skin) are required to test a patient's blood sugar, and cost between $5 and $22 per 100 lancets, depending upon the features.Some lancets have a setting for various depths of penetration. Others are thinner and sharper, which can mean l Continue reading >>
Best Cheap Blood Glucose Meters
Cheap blood glucose meters are still accurate and consistent It may be tempting to judge a blood glucose meter solely by its initial cost. But given that someone testing their glucose levels four times a day can blow through more than 100 test strips in a month, a glucose meter's true cost is best measured by how much you spend on test strips over time. In fact, some major manufacturers give away their meters for free because they recoup their losses on sales of test strips. Still, the meters with the lowest yearly operating cost also tend to cost very little themselves. Take our best-reviewed cheap glucose meter, the Bayer Contour Next (Est. $15). It's one of the few truly inexpensive meters that not only makes it into clinical trials but also excels: In a study published in 2014 in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, researchers found that the Bayer Contour Next outperformed a professional glucose monitor designed for point-of-care testing. This small, inexpensive glucose meter also receives Excellent scores for accuracy from a leading consumer research organization, alongside Very Good scores for repeatability and convenience. User reviews on the Bayer Contour Next tend to be very short and to the point; at this price, users just want a blood glucose meter that does its job. But they also love not having to code the meter when they open a new vial of test strips, being able to collect blood from almost any angle, and having the option to add more blood to the test strip if there wasn't enough the first time. The Bayer Contour Next requires a 0.6 microliter blood sample and allows you to use your palm as an alternate testing site. Other popular features -- and unusual finds on a glucose meter in this price range -- include the ability to add notes to store Continue reading >>
Save Money On Blood Glucose Test Strips
Testing your blood sugar regularly is the key to good diabetes control, but testing can get expensive. Ease the stress of managing your diabetes with these practical tips that can stretch your dollars while keeping you on track. Shop around, but steer clear of suspect sources. Online resources such as eBay and Craigslist sometimes offer tough-to-beat prices from people reselling test strips. "I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about six months ago. I bought my meter and strips at a drugstore right after but was shocked when the test strips cost $49.99 for a box of 50! Once those ran out, I got on eBay and looked for the exact same brand. I found them easily and have now bought two shipments of the same name-brand strips for just over $25, which includes shipping. It's a no-brainer to save $25," says Rich Mullikin of Galveston, Texas. However, most experts advise against buying test strips online because it's a gamble. In most cases, it's hard to know where the strips came from, how they were transported and stored, and whether the strips are defective or expired, says Eileen Wood, R.Ph., vice president of pharmacy services for Capital District Physicians' Health Plan in Albany, New York. Counterfeit strips that produce highly erratic results have even been found. On eBay, some sellers list an expiration date -- but not all do -- and some don't allow returns. "These practices are questionable," Wood says. "I'd feel more comfortable getting test strips from a pharmacy because it has to prove where they got the products, and there is oversight from state and federal licensing authorities." Test strip makers and distributors are required to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but private sellers are not. Go off-brand. Most off-brand strips are as accurate Continue reading >>
8 Ways To Lower The Costs Of Test Strips
There is no doubt about it: Test strips are expensive. When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, my doctor gave me a meter and instructions to test at least five times per day. But when I went to the pharmacy to buy test strips, I was hit with a very unpleasant sticker shock. Affording to test as often as necessary was going to put a serious strain on my finances. Unfortunately, this is the reality of testing for many of us with diabetes. Lowering the costs of test strips Those tiny test strips can cost up to one dollar each. But why are the prices so high? Some of it has to do with the chemicals on the strip, but the majority of the cost is simply markup. David Kliff, publisher of Diabetes Investor newsletter, told Philly.com that it costs about 11 cents to make a single test strip. Marketing and administrative expenses might add another 10 cents. For a test strip that costs one dollar, that's a profit margin of about 80 percent. Cutting down on the costs of test strips can keep more of that money in your pocket. Try these tips before you pay full price: Ask for samples. Obtain samples from your doctor's office, your diabetes educator, the company that manufactures the test strips and anywhere else you can find them. Look to your insurance company. What test strips does your insurance policy cover? If the co-pays are reasonable, it pays to stick to the test strips your insurance will pay for. Use prescription cards. You might qualify for discount cards through the test strip manufacturer. Also look into the Together-Rx Access card, which offers up to 40 percent off certain prescriptions. Switch brands. Compare test strips on a regular basis. If another brand is cheaper and you can get the meter for free, make the switch. An added bonus: If you regularly buy test strips Continue reading >>
Blood Sugar (glucose) Test Strips
How often is it covered? Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers some diabetic test supplies, including blood sugar test strips as durable medical equipment (DME). Who's eligible? All people with Part B who have diabetes are covered. Your costs in Original Medicare If your supplier accepts assignment, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies. Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment: You may need to rent the equipment. You may need to buy the equipment. You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment. Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren’t enrolled, Medicare won’t pay the claims submitted by them. It’s also important to ask your suppliers if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating suppliers, they must accept assignment. If suppliers are enrolled in Medicare but aren’t “participating,” they may choose not to accept assignment. If suppliers don't accept assignment, there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you. Competitive Bidding Program If you live in or visit certain areas, you may be affected by Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program. In most cases, Medicare will only help pay for these equipment and supplies if they're provided by contract suppliers when both of these apply: Contract suppliers can't charge you more than the 20% coinsurance and any unmet yearly deductible for any equipment or supplies included in the Competitive Bidding Program. You may need to use specific suppliers for some types of diabetes testing sup Continue reading >>
$4 Co-pay On Kroger Premium Blood Glucose Test Strips
CINCINNATI, Dec. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the millions of people with diabetes that must test their blood glucose on a daily basis, the cost to do so continues to rise. People with diabetes can spend as much as $1,000 each year out of pocket on blood glucose monitoring test strips alone, even if they have insurance. The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Family if Pharmacies now offers a program that will help diabetes patients with private insurance save with a $4 co-pay on Kroger Premium test strips. For example, if an insured patient is paying a $40 co-pay for 200 strips each month, the Kroger Premium $4 co-pay program will continue to provide that customer with 200 strips and offer a savings of $36 a month. "We listen to our customers and one of their main worries is that their co-pay on blood glucose test strips continues to rise. Our Kroger $4 co-pay program immediately addresses that situation," said Teri Rose, Kroger's pharmacy marketing manager. "Our hope is that by providing real savings, our customers can afford other medications, diabetic supplies or even healthy food items." Kroger pharmacies provide cash-paying patients who do not carry private pay insurance with a high-accuracy meter and test strips at everyday low prices. Patients can get a Kroger No Code meter for as little as $10, and low cost test strips are available in 25-ct, 50-ct. and 100-ct. at significant savings compared to national brand strips and several other store brands. There is no need to join a club to enjoy these savings. In addition, unlike other co-pay buy down programs offered by many blood glucose strip companies, the Kroger Premium $4 co-pay program patients do not have to carry or renew any type of membership card. In addition to counseling services, Kroger pharmacies help patients with Continue reading >>
Al_ps_glucose_test_strips_meters_st_ Progsum_ar0416 Page 1 Of 5
© Copyright Prime Therapeutics LLC. 04/2016 All Rights Reserved OBJECTIVE The intent of the Glucose Test Strips/Disks and Meters Step Therapy program is to encourage the use of cost-effective preferred test strip/disk and meter products before the more expensive nonpreferred products. (Continuous blood glucose monitors are not included in this program.) The prior authorization (PA) process will accommodate for the use of nonpreferred test strip/disk or meter products when the preferred glucose test strips/disks or meters cannot be used due to patient inability to use them accurately, or special requirements such as the requirement of an insulin pump (not accommodated with a preferred glucose test strip/disk or meter), visual impairment, or other physical or mental disability. Requests for nonpreferred products will be reviewed when patient-specific documentation has been provided. TARGET DRUGS Preferred products Accu-Chek® test strip and disks Bayer® test strips and disks Non-preferred products All remaining test strips and disks PRIOR AUTHORIZATION CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL A nonpreferred glucose test strip/disk or meter product will be approved when ONE of the following is met: 1. The patient’s medication history includes use of any preferred glucose test strip/disk or meter product in the past 90 days OR 2. ONE of the following: a. Patient has visual impairment OR b. Patient uses an insulin pump that is not accommodated with a preferred glucose test strip/disk or meter OR c. Patient has a physical or a mental disability Length of approval: 12 months Glucose Test Strips/Disks and Meters Step Therapy Criteria Program Summary AL_PS_Glucose_Test_Strips_Meters_ST_ ProgSum_AR0416 Page 2 of 5 © Copyright Prime Therapeutics LLC. 04/2016 All Rights Reserved IND Continue reading >>
Ontario Quietly Cuts Funding For Diabetics’ Blood-sugar Test Strips
The Ontario government is quietly cutting funding for test strips that diabetics use to monitor their blood sugar levels. The move, which takes effect Aug. 1, will save the province up to $25 million annually and will affect mostly non-insulin dependant diabetics who are reimbursed for strips under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program. Health Minister Deb Matthews said the move was prompted by studies showing that many diabetics don’t have to test their blood-sugar levels as frequently as they do. “I am absolutely committed to letting the evidence guide our decisions . . . . In this case we can reduce our expenditures on unnecessary blood-glucose testing and that frees up money for something that does improve outcomes for patients,” she said. No official announcement was made on the cuts but a notice was posted Monday on an obscure section of the health ministry’s website meant for health professionals. Matthews said the notice is targeted at doctors and pharmacists who counsel patients on how often to test their blood. The province will limit the number of strips it will pay for annually to a maximum of 200 for diabetics who can manage the disease through diet and exercise or with oral medication that has a low risk of inducing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Prior to this, there has been no cap on the number of test strips they can use. Each strip costs about 70 cents. The move will affect 162,000 Ontarians with Type 2 diabetes. The public drug program provides coverage for people 65 and older, and younger people on disability support and welfare. According to a March article in the online magazine HealthyDebate.ca, most diabetics who do not use insulin do not need to measure their blood glucose levels daily because oral medications are adjusted every few weeks or Continue reading >>
Blood Glucose Meters And Associated Test Strips
Page 1 of 4 Originally written November 2015; Review November 2016 (minor update Feb. & Nov. 2016) For further information and references, please contact the Medicines Management Team Tel: 01480 387126 Email: [email protected] Consider the following criteria when selecting a blood glucose meter:  The cost of blood glucose testing strips (BGTS) taking into account shelf life and reduced wastage.  Appropriate testing frequency for drug regime and stability of patient.  DVLA guidance. For patients who are insulin dependent, self monitoring of their blood glucose is essential. It may also be beneficial for some patients who are on other hypoglycaemic agents. It is recommended however to review all patients receiving BGTS and evaluate their need for self monitoring on an individual basis and where possible determine the frequency of monitoring that is needed to quantify the number of test strips which are required. For those patients who only require self monitoring infrequently their BGTS should be removed from repeat prescriptions and prescribed only when needed. Blood Glucose Testing Strips  Many BGTS are available for less than £10 for 50 strips: see Table 1 (This table is not exhaustive. Please refer to current Drug Tariff and manufacturers’ product information for further information).  There may be some patients that require specific meters where the cost of the associated BGTS is above £10. Examples of these patient groups are shown in Panel 1 (Note that is not exhaustive and further advice can be obtained from a diabetes nurse specialist (DSN) based on their assessment of the patient. Meters with the functionality that best supports the patient’s independence and/or compliance will be recomme Continue reading >>
Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes Test Strips
Update: A lot of our readers ask us where can they find the best deals for test strips. We personally recommend Amazon. You can check the list of selections they offer by clicking here. Blood glucose test strips play a crucial role in helping you to monitor your daily blood glucose level and giving your doctor the data to adjust your medication to control your diabetes symptoms. Without the help from these little disposable strips, life with diabetes can become even more chaotic than ever. But what exactly are these thin little plastic slip and why are they so expensive? Are there any alternative method I can use? Where can I get the best deal on these test strips? This article will answer many of your questions and concerns regarding these blood glucose test strips: Table of Contents History on Glucose Test Strips How Does the Test Strips Work Why Are the Strips So Expensive? And Why the Price Discrepancy? Why Must Diabetic Patients Use Glucometer and Test Strip? How Often Should You Administer A Blood Glucose Test? How to Find Out if Your Glucose Monitor is Accurate? How Accurate Are the Test Strips? How to Find Out if Your Glucose Monitor is Accurate? What is a Urine Glucose Test? Can’t I Use This Procedure Instead? Expiration of Test Strips Medicare Plan B Coverage for Glucose Test Strips Where to Get the Best Deal on Test Strips? Ways to Save of Test Strips How to Avoid Counterfeit Blood Glucose Test Strips Can You Reuse Test Strips? Can You Make Your Own Test Strip? 4 Most Affordable Meters How to Pick the Right Glucometer? How to Dispose Used Test Strips, Lancets, and Needles? What to Do with All These Test Strip Containers? Selling Your Glucose Test Strips A Good Idea? Odd Way to Earn Some Money Back Questions? History on Glucose Test Strips The first glucomet Continue reading >>
Prescqipp Bulletin 46: Blood Glucose Test Strips For Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
1 of 8This is an NHS document not to be used for commercial or marketing purposes Blood glucose test strips for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is essential for people with diabetes on insulin therapy and can be beneficial for some people on other hypoglycaemic agents. Where SMBG is not serving a specific purpose in the management of the condition however, it is a waste of resources and can cause unnecessary pain to the patient. NICE recommends that SMBG should be used only if it is going to be an integral part of the patient’s self-management education, and the continued benefit of self-monitoring should be assessed in a structured way each year.1 In recent years the cost of prescribing blood glucose test strips (BGTS) has grown rapidly. In the NHS Midlands and East in 2012/13, 22% of the spend on diabetes was for BGTS at a cost of £48.3 million.2 Recommendations • Review current prescribing of BGTS and evaluate the need for self-monitoring on an individual patient basis; where there is no need for SMBG, discontinue prescribing. • Determine appropriate frequency for testing and make necessary adjustments to quantity of test strips prescribed. • Remove BGTS from repeat prescriptions for patients who only need to test intermittently. • Use the guidance provided in Appendices 2 and 3 to help produce a preferred list of blood glucose testing strips and meters to be used locally. • Ensure a wide stakeholder engagement including GPs, practice nurses, specialist community diabetes teams, community pharmacists, hospital diabetes teams and patient representatives. • Implement a switch program to the formulary blood glucose meters. Background Around 4.5% of the adult population in the UK Continue reading >>
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Home blood glucose test: How to test for diabetes at home
- Blood glucose testing offers little value to some Type 2 diabetes patients: study
Cost Of Self-monitoring Of Blood Glucose In The United States Among Patients On An Insulin Regimen For Diabetes.
Abstract BACKGROUND: People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing numerous complications, resulting in increased health care expenditures, economic burden, and higher mortality. For patients using an insulin pump or multiple insulin injections, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is recognized as a core component of effective diabetes self-management. However, little is known about the real-world frequency and true costs associated with SMBG as a percentage of an insulin regimen in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate SMBG frequency, SMBG-related costs (including blood glucose test strips and testing supplies), and insulin therapy costs among insulin-dependent patients with diabetes and at least 1 pharmacy claim for blood glucose testing strips during a 12-month follow-up period. METHODS: A retrospective database analysis was conducted using the IMS LifeLink Health Plan Claims database to capture the frequency and costs associated with SMBG in relation to a specific insulin regimen, and SMBG expenditure compared with other treatment costs. The study employed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with 2 or more claims for insulin between January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2009, with the first such claim representing the index date. All patients were required to have 6 months of pre-index continuous enrollment (pre-index period) and 12 months of post-index continuous enrollment (follow-up period). Patients were also required to have a diagnosis of diabetes in the pre-index period and to have no gaps of more than 90 days between consecutive insulin claims during the 360-day follow-up period. Patients without at least 1 pharmacy claim for blood glucose testing strips during the 12-month follow-up period and patients with pharmacy claims with extreme Continue reading >>
- Incidence of End-Stage Renal Disease Attributed to Diabetes Among Persons with Diagnosed Diabetes United States and Puerto Rico, 20002014
- Disparities in Diabetes Deaths Among Children and Adolescents United States, 20002014
- Medication Adherence and Improved Outcomes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
