We are so lucky here!

Aussielooser

I have read with much interest how people in other countries have so many problems getting strips for there meters. Here in Australia if you become a member of The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) you get your strips at a lower cost, for some pensioners and those that qualify either they get there strips for I think it's $1:50 depending on the strips (50 strips) or there about's can't quiet remember off hand or for free for those I think that are on insulin. Also in some cases like my own I was able to get my meter free. A cash back was sent to me in the form of a cheque for the full cost of my metre.6 weeks later. I go through so many strips it's not funny- I was told by my diabetic educator they I could cut back to twice a day but I refuse because I eat to my metre. My metre and test strips are like gold to me (sounds silly I know). I head back to my doctor on the 29th of Jan for my second A1C and I want my numbers to be perfect as my first A1C was a 9.. Ouch!


It really breaks my heart to hear how many are unable to afford such a necessity when they have diabetes. So many people would not be as sick as they are if they had the right tools so to speak. Just know I think of you that don't have the luxury.

We are definitely the lucky country in some respects.

Hugs:flowerforyou:

Gentyl

I know what you mean. I'm so grateful for VA benefits here in the states, and that I have such an understanding doctor who allows me to have 500 strips a month, along with the free meter. I don't know what I would do if I could only test a few times a day, or not at all. I do know that it would take great effort to get my diabetes under control. And, I think it would be down right dangerous if insulin users could not test regularly. I don't understand the medical system; diabetes is running rampant around the world. Surely, they should know that if people cannot test and adjust as needed there would be even higher and unnecessary medical costs. I think it's criminal--nothing short of.

I hope your second A1C goes well. I thought mine would be much lower than it was, because my numbers had been running so low; I even had the lab test my meter, and mine was 2 points higher than theirs. Has anyone experienced this?

Based on your numbers, what do you think your next A1C will be?

BigGuy47

Why are the strips so expensive in the USA?

Is it our mangled healthcare system?

Aussielooser

It's crazy that this disease is the 6th leading cause of deaths in Australia. It's such a silent killer if not found in time.

My numbers have been around the low 4's to mid 5's My highest as been in the low 6's and that's only because of heat (that's what my son and I are putting down to as my diet rarely changes much)- so I am not really sure how it will go.. it will be interesting. My diabetic educator said it would be way lower than my last one but she didn't give me any idea as to what it would be.

:flowerforyou:

Aussielooser

By the sound of it BigGuy it seems really bad.

CRody44

It depends. I live in California and have a great medical plan. My meter and strips don't cost me anything. I average 5 strips a day.

Aussielooser

Oh OK Crody.. A lot of people don't have medical plans as it's so expensive over there I have heard.. I could be way of base there.. I would be interested to hear more.

deeschange

My meter was free. My strips are 50 a jar but the pharmacy doesn't let me renew them earlier than "50 days of strip use"; i.e. I'm allowed one test a day.

Seemingly this would make it hard for me to eat to my meter.

So yesterday I went on a trip to CVS and I saw meters ranging from 9.99 to 20.00. Most included strips in the box. I heading there again and buying my own....I want to eat to my meter if that will keep me far far far away from complications.

I called my local diabetes association yesterday and had a nice long chat with them....I have not been referred to an educational class or dietician....so they provided me with two locations where I could at least attend a class. They also provided me information for the national society of endcrinologist so that I could visit its site and locate a new doctor if I so choose.

I've been encouraging friends to buy meters and to simply test from time to time to see where they are so that they can be aware of what is going on in their bodies ....especially those who seem to discuss being tired all the times, complain about number toes or tingling feet, or shakey in the mornings. Now I know those things can be caused by a variety of things but if you can test your sugar - why not.....more and more books encourage readers to do so before even getting a diagnosis. They encourage consumers to be educated about their lifestyle choices....

I often feel like testing once a day is not enough and can't image not testing at all.......but so far.....by the grace of God (not posted to offend anyone) my numbers are going down....this month I've see numbers in the 90s and pretty much I've bee staying in the low 100's and one tens.......which is lower than I was testing last month.

I'm reading everything that you guys post and trying to get a better understanding of GI Index vs GI Loading, vs macros...I know each person should stik with what works for them and so far I've tried to up fiber and keep carbs below 100, although some days (very few) carbs slightly go over.

This site and this group really has been a blessing to me during this time in my life.

I'm taking the diagnosis and makeing a positive change in every way that I can in my life and that of my family as well.

Thank you all for simply sharing your frustrations and your successess. It's good to know that what I'm experiencing is oftentimes shared by others and that I'm not in this thing alone.

jessiekanga

I appreciate how thoughtful you are as to the woes of medical expenses for so many. The out of pocket expenses for meters and strips do vary considerably based on what type of medical insurance someone has here in the states. There are some variances even in between states, as each state must meet federal minimums for coverage, but states can add additional coverages or mandates for covered expenses. Everything "can" be purchased over the counter for those who don't have coverage, but you're all right, it's pricey. I have an up-front deductible health plan, so I pay full price for strips until that's met. For me, that's about $40 for 50 strips. I need that to last me about 2 months. When I was first diagnosed I'd go through over 100 strips in one.

The health care industry is one of the most out of control systems here in the grand us of a. Health Care Reform promises some changes, but it's imperfect as well. What we've never controlled over here are things like malpractice insurance premiums and tort reform (how much someone can sue for) and that is pretty unregulated, and an unspoken HUGE reason for out of control health care expenses. Probably more of a soap box than anyone is interested in, but as I'm really lucky that I can afford my health care (mostly) I work with folks who can't, and it's devastating on a daily basis for them.

CRody44

deschange,

a good website with a lot of good info and another forum is at
http://www.diabetesdaily.com/

Aussielooser,

After 30 years in civil service, I retired 14 years ago with a very good pension, full medical and dental. My co-pay for meds, if not free is $15 US for a 3 month supply. I had full knee replacement surgery several years ago and two malignant tumors removed last october, each of which cost me $15. Forty-five years ago, I wasn’t interested in the benefits, just the salary which was $229 more than I ever made, but now, at age 68 with several medical problems, I am greatfull, and covered.

The teabaggers would consider what I have as socialized medicine, but is sure beats paying retail.

Sweets1954

I had purchased a meter to try to moniter my BGL. At the time I didn't have insurance. I was fortunate and got a job that gave me insurance but when I ordered new test strips I was told that the insurance wouldn't pay for strips for that meter. I talked to the nurse at my doctor's office and she said that they would only pay for strips for two other meters. I had ordered syringes at the same time (those they filled). When the syringes came there was an advertisement for a meter (one the insurance would pay for) that I could get for free. I ordered that meter and got my doctor to change the prescription to test strips for that meter. The insurance also questioned one of the meds my doctor prescribed. It took awhile but I was finally able to get that filled as well. I was pretty disgusted with the whole process. I don't understand why the insurance companies question the prescriptions written out by the doctors. If I didn't need the meds the prescription would not be written.

I'm fortunate that these meds can be purchased through the mail in 90 day quantities so I can get them for $15 each time I order them, but what a hassle!

Aussielooser

From state to state in the US I didn't realise how different it is- In Australia we have medicare which everyone has this is a must have I am pretty sure it's law. This is for all and our public system is not the best but with my son we have always gone this way as he has a lot of medical issues and we personally have never had a problem with it and have never had to go on a waiting list for surgery for very long- Not like most who have to wait up to a year or more some have waited up to 5 or so years to have surgery on one thing or another. Then you have the private sector which I just can't afford as it's way over priced- My son and daughter have this due to there father paying for it as they to could not afford it. But thankfully as I said my son has never had to use private due to the public system (no out of pocket expenses). I have asked many times "Do you think it would be best to go private?" and I have always been told go public so of course we do and also even in private cover there are out of pocket costs (which my ex husband refuses to pay for) I have no idea why they have private cover to be honest. Sorry thinking allowed..LOL

It's so different all over the world it really interests me

Annaduurai

With insurance 50 strips cost me $20. It's funny because I can go to Ebay and get them for $20 without insurance. Bleh

Aussielooser

WOW that's a bit pricey!

BigGuy47

Test strips have been on the market for decades. With prescription medications the FDA allows for generic medications of the same product to be sold (five years after the brand name drug is on the market). This drastically reduces the cost. Why don't we have a generic test strip at a much lower cost? I think this would help reduce the cost of all test strips. Some companies have a mark up of 80% on the strips.

I did find this meter and low cost strips available through WalMart. This isn't an endorsement.

http://www.relion.com/diabetes/blood-glucose-testing/relion-prime

Buying the strips alone for my current meter costs $30 more than both the meter and strips for this product.

robert65ferguson

Thanks for all the input to this discussion. I'm in the UK where the current policy is to supply meters and test strips to Type 1s and those Type 2s who are on insulin. Type 2s not on insulin have to either go without or to buy their meters and strips privately. Strips curently cost around £25 for 50. Diabetes.co.uk are currently running a petition to have meters issued to all diabetics. Given the current constraints on all health spending I'm not holding my breath. Having said that, I feel blessed that my local health practice are very efficient in providing regular A1C 3 monthly checks, regular retinopathy and podiatry checks. Meters would certainly help those of us trying to do all we can to manage our condition.The concept of generic test strips is an interesting one but again one can only hope. An interesting suggestion by a previous poster was to find out the cheapest strips and then buy the corresponding meter.

cherylclark2011

Hi robert, I was offered a meter before i was put on insulin by my diabetic specialist. I was just on metformin. I had however already bought my own meter and strips as i was trying to control my BG's through diet before then, so she just added the test strips and lancets to my repeat prescriptions list, Obviously its one of those things which vary due to the NHS postcode lottery

RaineyLaney

Why are the strips so expensive in the USA?

Is it our mangled healthcare system?

I know I am in that boat. I had bc/bs ins up till this Jan. They at least covered part of the cost of the strips. Got my meter free at DR.s office. Now I have aetna and they do not cover any diabetic tests, or supplies. Like I can affords this. I see my DR Feb1 and part of me wants to say,"Don't do any blood work". But my brain knows I need this blood work done. I have no clue what it will cost me . My strips for 100 actuall price (( work in a hospital so I will pay cost plus 50 cents) will be around $112.00. I can not aford with that price to test more than once a day if that... I did (due to another post here) buy the Reli-on prime at walmart and the strips are $9.00. I used it against my One touch ultra mini yesterday to see if it was acurate. It isn't too bad, it runs 3 to 7 numbers different than the ultra. mostly higher, a few lower. But I figure I can use the Ultra to test in morning and use the cheaper strips to test through out the day. Wonder if Obama care will cover stirps. LOL... Probably not for me, since I work and have insurance that doesn't cover much at all