Re: Subject: Re: Re: saving on drugs: test strips

[Guest guest]

I went to get my test strips refilled. As I am new to testing, I wasted several

strips in the beginning by not getting the blood to it correctly. The pharmacy

said I only get two strips a day and should not refill until February 19th. I

have about 8 strips left. My Dr only prescribed 2 strips a day. I have Medicare

and so I may have to pay for the additional strips. I had been testing 3 times a

day, occasionally 4. I think you need to test more when you are new. Any

suggestions or comments on what Medicare WILL pay for in test strips? G

[Guest guest]

Hello, my doctor prescribes enough strips for me to take mine 4 times per

day...Medicare pays for them except for the 20 % and I pay that.

Eleanor

[Guest guest]

Vicki

Thanks so much. Wish I had told you she is a she. She is actually a Nurse

Practitioner but did residency at a diabetic facility and knew to send me to the

drugstore here that knew about Medicare. She used to work with the best and

maybe only good Dr in town. He retired. I have paid nothing yet for the True

Track monitor or strips. But I do think they should allow for the occasional

strip that does not function for whatever reason. At first the reason was how I

applied the blood. Patient error.

I have to have what Medicare will pay for I think. Right now I might get the

strips for cash but not forever when husband retires. Medicare pays for " fair

and reasonable amounts of strips. " That can be almost anything. I think we need

testing freedom. After all it is our blood and our prick of the finger etc. They

could surely come through with the strips. She believes is fairly low carb diet

as well. She is into wellness. Her place is called ______Wellness Clinic. She is

sharp. My M D did not write a pres for any testing at all. I used my husband's

tester (Precision Ultra) and determined on my own I needed to test regularly.

His strips are more expensive than mine and not covered at all. We have a high

secondary deductible. We are grateful just to have insurance. He, the MD, would

not be seeing me until late January if I had stayed with him. Also he talked

down to me and smirked of superiority. Literally smirked. I am in no way used to

such treatment. My doctors had always appreciated my intelligence. This woman

listens. G

[Guest guest]

It's not just our bodies and our blood -- it's us who will reap the

complications due to poor BG control -- and THEM who end up paying. .

You are absolutely so right. You would think the strips were made of gold and

diamonds. G

[Guest guest]

Glory, I think Walgren's (or is it Walmart?) has their own store brand

strips and meter that costs considerably less than whatever you're

using. And next time you see your doc, tell him/her you need him/her

to write for more than two tests a day. If he/she asks why, tell him/her

you need to know how different foods affect your BGs so you can stay

away from them. . Tell him/her you need to test before every meal and

one and two hours afterwards. Tell him/her you want to avoid

complications and get your A1C down to non-diabetic levels.

He'll/she'll probably die of shock -- docs aren't used to seeing

motivated patients -- but I bet he'll/she'll write for it. And if

he/she writes for more than two strips a day, I think your insurance

will cover it. Although I'm not sure about Medicare :-(

Whew! Hard to be Politically Correct these days <g>

Vicki

Re: Re: saving on drugs: test

strips

> I went to get my test strips refilled. As I am new to testing, I

wasted several strips in the beginning by not getting the blood to it

correctly. The pharmacy said I only get two strips a day and should not

refill until February 19th. I have about 8 strips left. My Dr only

prescribed 2 strips a day. I have Medicare and so I may have to pay for

the additional strips. I had been testing 3 times a day, occasionally 4.

I think you need to test more when you are new. Any suggestions or

comments on what Medicare WILL pay for in test strips? G

>

>

[Guest guest]

Reply to Eleanor. Thanks, I am going to print that and take to my Dr. I would

like to have the 4 strips a day. I think I can manage on that. G

[Guest guest]

One wonders what Drs would call themselves if they wanted good control of this

dread disease and if they know just how dread it can be? I know first hand how

devastating it can be, unchecked. I refuse to go there. I will kick and scream

for my health all the way. G

[Guest guest]

I've actually read about doctors who call patients who want to test

frequently " neurotic " or " compulsive " .

Calling the desire for good control neurotic or compulsive only points

out how little some physicians know about good diabetes management.

Lots of them assume complications are inevitable. They're not!! They're

not!!

Vicki, back up on soapbox again

Re: Re: saving on drugs: test

strips

> It's not just our bodies and our blood -- it's us who will reap the

> complications due to poor BG control -- and THEM who end up paying. .

>

> You are absolutely so right. You would think the strips were made of

gold and diamonds. G

>

[Guest guest]

Here in my town my Dr will tell the pharmacy how many tests a day I can do and

they will give me that many.Call your Dr and tell him you need to test more.

Margaret

[Guest guest]

HI ALL

I have been thinking about testing and test strips. I know we in uk are

privilaged to get our meds free so there's no problem about testing too much.I

think it is an absolute necessity for newly diagnosed and those changing to

different treatment regimes to test frequently to allow them to get complete

control.when control has been achieved and the patient has got to a settled diet

regime as well as a settled treatment regime it should be possible to reduce

frequency of testing to maybe night and morning testing as any significant

change would be reflected in these two results and if a change was noticed then

a more frequent regime could be re introduced. these are my personal thoughts

just published to see what response they get.Sorry if i have been long-winded .

[Guest guest]

HI ALL

I have been thinking about testing and test strips. I know we in uk are

privilaged to get our meds free so there's no problem about testing too much.I

think it is an absolute necessity for newly diagnosed and those changing to

different treatment regimes to test frequently to

I agree with your share on testing. G