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Test Strips Expensive

3914 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  mned
Are there any good test strips less expensive? I am using Ultra One and they cost $28 for 25. My insurance will only pay for $45 or more, so having to test more than once a day is becoming expensive.
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The meter I use is the ReliOn Ultima from Walmart. A box of 100 ReliOn strips costs $39. I think I've heard that other chains such as Walgreens & Kroger offer their own brands for lower prices too. I've had no reason to doubt the accuracy of my meter - two months ago when I had labs done, my meter registered 114 fbg at the moment the tech drew my blood, and the lab came back with 112. I sure can't quibble with that.
Are there any good test strips less expensive? I am using Ultra One and they cost $28 for 25. My insurance will only pay for $45 or more, so having to test more than once a day is becoming expensive.
Like Shanny said Walmart does carry a less expensive brand. There is an internet website for diabetes supplies that offers many different kinds of test strips. They have meter bundles and the prices are down right cheap. diabeteswholesale.com: The Leading Medical Equipment Site on the Net
You might also check with your insurance to see if they have a "preferred brand" that they will pay for more strips. I know sometimes they are willing to pay more for certain brands. Usually if you are going to be using a certain brand all the time you might be able to get the meter for free.
I got with my insurance company to see what their "prefered" test strips were.

I found out they prefer Accu chek and I can get as many as my Dr. prescribes for $25.

I called Accu chek for a free meter. With the meter came a discount card from Accu chek to use with my insurance and now I can get 200 test strips (that's what my Dr. prescribed each month) for only $15.

The free meter my Dr. gave me was a One Touch and the test strips were $55 for 100. After I paid that the first time I did my research and now I'm happy I did.
It is definitely going to depend on how many times you test per day, but assuming it's 3 or fewer, you should be able to get away with paying less that $45 for strips in a month.

You would probably need to move away from the big brand name meters like One Touch and Accu-Check, and change to something more generic or private label as mentioned in some previous posts. There are good meters and test strips out there for between $10 - $15 per box of 50 and most companies will get you a meter for free when you order a certain number of test strips.

You have a couple options. If you prefer ordering online and having strips delivered, then check out some of the strips like Omnis Embrace or Wavesense Keynote. Companies like Diatic Medical sell diabetic supplies online and have good prices. However, if you like purchasing in an actual store, then WalMart or other major chains which have private labels are your best bet.
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