Cost of diabetes testing supplies?

Question

I have gestational diabetes. My doctor called in a prescription to my pharmacy (Rite Aid) on Friday evening. The guy working there told me that Tricare wouldn't cover any of the cost and Medicare (Part B) wouldn't pay for it because my doctor didn't give a "diagnostic code". I asked how much it would cost without insurance. The guy said that he would call my doctor on Monday and see about either changing my prescription to something Tricare would cover or giving the diagnostic code so Medicare would cover it. I went back Saturday and today, and got the same answer.
I'm supposed to have the testing supplies by Monday, to take to my doctor/diabetes educator/nutritionist appointment in the afternoon.
I'm hoping that everything works out with my insurance so I won't have to pay, but if not, I'll have to pay out of pocket (if I can afford it).

About how much does diabetes testing supplies (meter thing, strips, needles, whatever else I'll need) cost? (I won't need insulin.)

Answer 1

You should be able to get a meter for free from your doctor. Then plan on spending about a dollar per test strip.

I've heard that Wal Mart is a good place to go for inexpensive supplies. I haven't tried it yet. I've been shopping at Rite Aid.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

2

Answer 4

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Answer 5

First off, your doctor should be giving some of this stuff to you for free IMHO.
Second, your doctor should have called the prescription in before Friday evening if you need it by Monday morning in case situations like yours happen IMHO.

Now about the costs:

Cosmic_q is right-- meters should cost you about $15, and the strips will be a lot more.
Mr. Peachy is also right-- the strips will cost you about $1 each.

Kara S. is a moron:
One, for saying that you can get everything for $3-15 in the USA.
Two, for thinkin that $3-15 is "NOT CHEAP!!!!" (though if she can't come up with $3-15 for things she needs, I feel sorry for her.)
Three, for writing in all caps.


Meter 15 (one time cost)
Needle Thing 5 (one time cost)
Total =20

Needles/Month 23 (about $.75 each x 4 x 30 days)
Strips/Month 120 (about $1 each x 4/day x 30 days)
Total/Month =143


Good luck.

Answer 6

There is quite a difference in the cost of meters and testing strips and the things you stick yourself with. You can get a good one with inexpensive strips-WalMart brand. Try to get one that uses less blood than some of the others and learn where to test yourself-never in the middle of your fingertips. Move around the edges so that you don't damage feeling, yet still get enough blood. My doctor actually has free machines that he gives out but the strips are horribly expensive but then my insurance covers them. I would call my doctor and have him do your papers correctly. You should not have to pay with insurance. My meters are covered by one part of my insurance and the rest of the stuff through another part. If he doesn't, then get a different doctor. Your blood sugar level is critical and you may end up with diabetes later in life so you need to find out everything you can and how to control your sugar, how to eat, but most importantly-how to prevent yourself from getting diabetes later in life. It's a horrible killer and you have the tendency. If you need further information, I can be emailed. I have Type II diabetes and have been struggling with it for years. I've gone through a lot of doctors that really didn't know what to tell me other than to watch what I ate. If I could do that, I wouldn't have diabetes so that was useless information. Most important-get a doctor that makes sure your sugar is under control. If he doesn't do it, then get a different doctory. Go to the library and get the Sears diet book. He talks about being prediabetic and what foods kick up your sugar level and how to eat balanced meals. His diet is healthy and will give you lots of starter knowledge. And lastly, take your blood sugar level often. My doctor told me to stagger it throughout the day and I do but I always take it first thing in the morning before I eat breakfast so I know just where I'm starting out and how I have to balance my insulin and food intake. Lots of luck and take care of yourself. I fyou know someone with diabetes, they probably have an old meter. Usually you can trade an old one in for a big discount on a new one but price everything. . .everywhere. . .

Answer 7

I'm not American (in the UK, as a diabetic, you'd be getting all your prescriptions you ever need for free as well as free eye tests) but you should be able to pick up a glucometre for about $15. It's the strips that will work out more but since you won't need if for long then the ones you get with the kit should do you until you've had the baby.

Answer 8

With the newer types of insulin these days, diabetic diets aren't necessarily as restrictive as they used to be. Read here https://tr.im/dwJzV
As with any medicine or diet change, you should discuss it with your doctor. Fruits, both fresh and dried, have a natural sugar in them that will raise blood sugar levels, so be careful about eating too much. Not sure about the nuts. Moderation is always the key. I've been diabetic for 18 years and just recently changed insulin types. I love it because it gives me more freedom in when and what I eat.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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