$200.00 For Blood Glucose Testing Strips!?!

[leftchick]

That will last my son exactly 25 days! OMG! I posted a thread a while ago about the scam that is Diabetes and the Big Pharma profits preventing a cure but this is really pissing me off. My son has a pump that requires new test stips that apparently our Insurance won't cover. I asked the Pharmacist how much they were and I would pay out of pocket. He said $198.00!!! I kid you not, I walked out of the pharmacy crying after I told Him I could not afford it.

I really hate this country sometimes. :argh: :banghead:

:cry:

If anyone knows of an internet source for cheaper Diabetes supplies I would really appreciate it.

Edit: I need to clarify. My son has the relatively new Omnipod pump which is tubeless and comes with a separate Personal Diabetes Management device, sort of like a blackberry size computer that tests his Glucose and tells him how much insulin to bolus. It is really very cool, except for the very expensive freestyle strips it requires.

:(

[emulatorloo]

1. Ask the pharmacist if there are cheaper strips for a different meter.

Most of the meters are cheap or free. So it may be best to get a different meter that takes cheaper strips.

(I'd also call your insurance company to be sure - mine covers strips)

[Solly Mack]

2. Try The Diabetes Mall

http://www.diabetesnet.com/ishop/index.php?cPath=44

Hope this helps!!

[leftchick]

10. thanks

I do too. You know it is bad enough he even has this fucking disease. The hoops I have to jump through to get him help is sinful.

[HillbillyBob]

3. I see those Liberty Medical supply ads on tv , can you check there?

nt

[walldude]

6. Watch out for them.. they give you all this stuff when you sign

up with them but then nail you to the wall when your free stuff is gone.

[DeepBlueC]

8. they are looking for people with insurers to bilk

[SmileyRose]

4. the maker of the pump may pay for them

A cousin in on the pump. she found out about a program to get free testing supplies for those with incomes below 200% of the poverty level. She took a form to the doctor and faxed it in. This is a long term fix of course, not short term.

[walldude]

5. Some testers strips cost more than others.. look here:

http://www.diabetesstore.com/listitems.asp?category=gts&catname=Glucose+Test+Strips

see which strips you can afford and then buy the machine that goes with them.

[DeepBlueC]

7. check your PMs

I hope it's helpful.

[Sancho]

9. strip less meters have been bought by profiteers...

and diabetes is a cash cow for drug companies. You can cut the strips in half lengthwise and double them...also, some companies will send a "free meter" with a tube or two of strips. You can call or write about 20 meter makers and get their starter meter and sometimes that will last a year or two! Call the ADA. Also, call all the local hospitals, universities, and clinics. There are sometimes trials that will pay for meters and strips for the research project. Insulin and check ups, too.

You must not have insurance, but you should also check with your doctor. They sometimes have samples and will give them out.

[GentryDixon]

11. This breaks my heart.

My sister Jeannie died of Diabetes 10 years ago. We buried her on Christmas Eve 1998. This is such a shitty disease that I always felt could be cured if the Pharmaceuticals did not make so much money on the "maintenance".

Jeannie qualified for Medicare. She was only in her late 30's, and I am not sure how she qualified, but perhaps you can look into this. She was on a Government medical disability, but that was not enough to pay for the enormous costs associated with her disease. She was a "Brittle Diabetic" who was diagnosed at the age of 7. She never did accept her disease, and did not take care of herself. She had one kidney transplant, and a leg amputated due to sepsis. The leg loss did not stop her. She would strap her artificial leg on and haul boogie. But sadly the kidney transplant failed after 12 years.

I hope you can get some help. :hug:

[MannyGoldstein]

12. So That's Why PODD Jumped Today...

http://finance.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:PODD

Sorry to hear this. You may want to see if any other pumps are cheaper to use.

Here are some Freestyle strips for 60 cents each: http://www.otcwholesale.com/freestyle-12050.html How many should your son use each day?

Also, I'm not sure that it's clear that pumps lead to better outcomes than standard insulin injections - I believe that HbA1C's are lower, but I don't think that lower complications have been demonstrated - you may want to check with your diabetologist on this.

Good luck!

[leftchick]

17. His Endocrinoligist recommended a pump

because he could not control his highs. The pump has been great in that respect except for the freakin strips. It is maddening. Thank you for the links.

[suffragette]

13. Found a forum that might be a good resource

Poked around in "the google" and stumbled on an old post in this forum from someone with the same problem.
Some of the recommendations there might help or you might want to post there and see what people there would suggest now.
The poster called "pegasus" in that old thread seems to have a few suggestions that might help.

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/monitoring/27012-can-t-afford-test-2.html

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/

:hug:

[NMMNG]

14. That's why you always see those offers for "free meters"

Because they want to get you to bite, and be required to use their very, very expensive strips. It's outrageous and makes me glad I don't have diabetes. There are numerous places online that offer discounts on products but it's always a good idea to check them out before ordering. Costco may be less expensive if you want to get them in person, and they have a prescription discount program for members so that's another option. I'll be using them myself since I recently discovered the hard way one of my prescriptions is $700 a month elsewhere and I have no insurance.

[left is right]

15. i hate to say it but Walmart has a nice little meter for $13

and strips 30 for $21. No coding but their lancet device sucks

[MiniMe]

16. Too bad

I could help, but I have a OneTouch. I get my strips for free, and I get way too many to be able to use them. I would be willing to send some off to you, but not much good unless you have a OneTouch meter.

[leftchick]

18. he used to use the one touch

but now his meter is integrated into his pump mechanism. So he can only use one type of strip or carry around an extra meter. That sucks for a 14 yr old boy. :(