Will a doctor write a presciption for a glucose meter if the patient is only "pre-diabetic"?

Question

UPDATE: I know a prescription is not required but (until the end of the year) several meter mfgs are offering meters from free WITH a prescription. And, by the way, my doctor wrote the script... and I got a free meter. :)

Answer 1

A prescription is not required to purchase a glucose meter unless you hope your health insurance will cover it. You won't know if your doctor will write the 'script or not until you ask. I can tell you that my insurance wouldn't cover it unless you were actually diagnosed as diabetic.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You can buy a glucometer at any drugstore and a prescription is not required. They are not that expensive either. The test strips are the expensive part. I would compare the prices of the test strips and go with the least expensive and buy the glucometer that goes with the test strips. I bought the drugstore's own brand test strips and their brand glucometer about 2 years ago, still works well.

At the same time that the patient gets a glucometer, I would suggest a notebook as well, so the patient can keep track of the test results and all foods that have been eaten that day. That way the patient can get an idea of what foods make their blood sugars higher, so they know what to try to stay away from or have less of. Everyone's body is different as far as how it reacts to certain foods.

I would also recommend reading on the subject. There are a lot of good books on diabetes out there. One that I recommend is "Diabetes for Dummies", it's easy to understand, easy to read and contains a lot of info. I would also recommend buying a carb counting book to give you the amount of carbs in most foods. They even have fast food carb counts in a lot of them out on the market today. Learn to read labels on canned and boxed foods too. The best diet however limits already prepared foods and recommends fresh vegetables and meats, limits breads and other starches as the body turns them into sugar in a diabetic body. Cakes, cookies, candies and other desserts as well as soda pop are the worst offenders for causing a spike in blood sugar levels.

Eating healthy, exercising and watching your blood glucose levels will help the diabetic perrson to live a long life. Good luck!! : )

Answer 4

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Answer 5

The doctor should write the prescription for meters. The meters themselves are not expensive!! Mostly people can get them free if they watch the ads from the drug stores.

It is the testing strips which can get costly!! $95 and up for a count of 50.

If a "pre diabetic" patient is to stay that way, the only thing to do is test before and after eating and journaling their numbers and food. They can eliminate any foods that send the glucose numbers up.

Insurance companies only pay part of the tab on strips! Be sure you get the meter your insurance company likes!!

Answer 6

The only way to know is to ask, but pre-diabetes is insulin resistance and a viable condition. While in some cases it can be eliminated through weight loss and diet, most still develop full-blown diabetes at some point if they don't lose weight, so yes, you should have a meter. Do you need a prescription to get it covered by insurance? Otherwise, it's an over-the-counter purchase - shouldn't need a prescription to purchase a meter or strips, even if they store them behind the counter. Just ask.

Answer 7

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I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.

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Answer 8

You wouldn't need a prescription for a glucometer. You can just buy one over the counter at the pharmacy. Your insurance company (via doctors office or other group) arrange for you to receive a glucometer and training but only if you diabetic or have gestational diabetes . Then they bill you for your portion of the bill for the equipment. You should inquire when you go in for nutrition counseling though they sometimes they have glucometers and test strips they've received through various organizations, grants and medical supply and manufacturing companies. I'd try hitting up your doctor too, you never know the extent of the samples/free products they're given to pass onto their patients.

Answer 9

Whether the doctor will write a prescription for a "glucometer" is up to the doctor. There is no reason not to unless there are other factors at play of which we are unaware.

However, your insurance will probably not pay for it.

You do not need a prescription to buy a glucometer--you can buy one at a department store such as WalMart. They are a little pricey, but anyone can buy one.

Answer 10

You don't need a prescription for the meter nor the test strips unless you want insurance to pay. My doctor wrote a scrip for the test strips when I was pre-diabetic. Just ask.