Diabetic Medical Supply

Finding a Diabetes Community

Saturday, June 19, 2010 by Veronica Lopez

Okay, so you have diabetes, now what?

You never used to have to worry about what you eat, but now it could mean the difference between feeling good and ending up in the hospital.

Diabetic health care includes a lot of things: glucose readings, exercise, doctor visits, medication, and of course, diet. One great diabetes resource is your local grocery store. Did you know that many grocery stores offer classes on nutrition for diabetics? You can learn how to manage diabetes through a nutritious, low glycemic diet and meet others who are also diabetics. Connecting with the diabetes community is an excellent way to obtain general diabetes information and to get some much-needed emotional support.

Along with controlling glucose levels with a healthy diet and exercise, you’ll need diabetic test supplies. The Diabetes Care Club is a great place to find diabetic supplies online, as well as a diabetes resource center. You can ask questions about the latest diabetes testing equipment. The Diabetes Care Club also has an online learning center with informative articles, recipes, and nutrition tips.

Learn as much as you can about managing your diabetes and find a community - online or even in at the grocery store. Don't let diabetes defeat you. Empower yourself.

Your Diabetes Management System

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 by Maeve Quinn

Do you have type 2 diabetes?

If the answer is yes, then you need to take extra precautions to ensure your blood sugar levels remain stable. The best way to control glucose levels is to buy diabetic supplies and monitor your blood sugar levels at home.

The best glucose test for you is the system you find easiest to use. The simpler the test, the more effective your diabetes management system will be. Talk to a medical professional about which system will work for you.

Remember, type 2 diabetes testing should be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Under your doctor's supervision, you should have regular physical and eye exams, immunizations, dental care, exercise, and maintain a healthy diet. With improved habits and regular blood sugar readings, you can control your diabetes and enjoy a healthier and happier life.

Are you a newly-diagnosed diabetic?

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Getting that diagnosis can be pretty intimidating. When you begin looking for diabetic medical supplies, be assured that Simplex Healthcare is looking out for you. We try to focus the new patient on some of the newer meters (like the Ascensia Contour meter) and some of the newer technologies.

One of the big developments in diabetes testing is no-coding technology. With older meters whenever you received a new supply of test strips, you'd have to punch a code into the meter to properly calibrate it for that batch of test strips. Statistics show that one in six people code their meters wrong or don't code them at all.

Simplex Healthcare believes that getting no-code technology into the hands of our patients through the Diabetes Care Club makes it a better experience.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Transitioning to insulin doesn't mean you didn't follow the rules

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

There is an old wives' tale out there that says if you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, it means you’re failing to take care of your diabetes properly.

Fact: According to the American Diabetes Association, for most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one.

Once you have a doctor's order for diabetic medical supplies, the Simplex Healthcare team will walk you through the ordering process and, if you qualify, file all necessary paperwork.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Troubleshooting your blood sugar monitor

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

When used correctly, you can count on your blood sugar monitor to provide accurate readings. As part of good diabetes self-management, when you think something's not right, start with the basics:

    * Check the test strips. Throw out damaged or outdated strips.
    * Check the monitor. Make sure the monitor is at room temperature, and the strip guide and the test window are clean. Replace the batteries in the monitor, if needed.
    * Check the code number on the test strips. Some monitors must be coded to each container of test strips. Be sure the code number in the monitor matches the code number on the container of test strips.
    * Check your technique. Wash your hands with soap and water before pricking your finger. Apply a generous drop of blood to the test strip. Don't add more blood to the test strip after the first drop was applied.

If you're still not sure what's wrong with your diabetes testing supplies, do a quality control test according to the manufacturer's instructions and check the owner's manual for other troubleshooting issues. You can bring the monitor to your next doctor appointment as well.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Hyperglycemia happens

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Your diabetes treatment plan and your diabetes medical supplies are designed to help you avoid hyperglycemia. But everyone has occasional episodes of high blood sugar. The most common culprits include:

    * Eating too much food or the wrong foods
    * Exercising too little
    * Physical stress, such as an infection or other illness
    * Emotional stress, such as family conflict or workplace challenges
    * Forgetting to take your oral diabetes medication
    * Problems with your insulin, such as not giving yourself enough insulin or using expired insulin

Members of the Diabetes Care Club don't need to worry about running out of diabetic medical supplies or diabetes testing supplies because they automatically receive a new shipment every 90 days.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Diabetes products are everywhere

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Did you know that you you have more than 50,000 options for obtaining your diabetes products? Diabetic medical supplies are found in drug stores, infomercials and online.

So how do you choose? I recommend the Diabetes Care Club (DCC).

Why? Well, I am in a position to know how passionate DCC is about getting your diabetes products in your hands quickly and efficiently ... with no muss or fuss for you. DCC processes ALL of your paperwork and you never have to pay anything in advance.

DCC doesn't just take your order for diabetic medical supplies, we are your caring resource for information. That's why out of 50,000 options, DCC is in the top three.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Choosing the right lancing device -- consider the pain factor

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

I came across a great evergreen article in Diabetes Health Magazine with tips for choosing the right lancing device.

One of the best pieces of advice is to review lancing devices independently of meters in order to select the one best suited to your specific needs. The article also suggests that important criteria to consider are pain, safety and convenience. Here's what it says about the pain factor:

"Many people with diabetes acknowledge that callused fingers and frequent doses of sharp pain have become a normal part of everyday life. In addition to pain at the moment of lancing, people with diabetes also experience lingering pain and slow healing of the punctured sites.

"To help minimize pain, tissue damage and discomfort, choose a device that offers a smooth, well-controlled stick. Spring-driven devices with cam guidance tend to offer smoother control than those with linear guidance.

"Lancing to the right depth is another key consideration. A lancet should pierce the skin only to the depth necessary to get an adequate amount of blood. Lancing too deep causes increased pain, while not lancing deep enough requires re-lancing. For now, the best option is a device that features multiple depth settings. While these devices offer improvements over those lacking this feature, they often prove unreliable in reaching the intended depth. To compensate, the user dials the depth setting deeper than necessary to prevent having to re-lance."

UPDATE: Since this article initially appeared, the Accu-Chek Multiclix has been introduced and is a world first in diabetic medical supplies. Its comfort dial has 11 penetration depth settings, which lets you adjust to match skin type. This reduces pain by avoiding contact with deeper nerves. Once set, it stays in place.

As technologies continue to improve, next-generation devices will offer enhanced sophistication to ensure near 100 percent reliability in depth accuracy.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Please note: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Choosing the right lancing device -- consider convenience

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

I came across a great older, but evergreen, article in Diabetes Health Magazine with tips for choosing the right lancing device.

"A common practice in selecting a lancing system is to rely on the device that comes with a particular blood glucose meter. This is like using an inferior razor simply because it came with your favorite shaving cream." (Do you love this analogy ... and it's so right.)

"Instead, review lancing devices independently of meters to select the one best suited to your specific needs." And in doing so, consider this important criteria: safety.

"People with diabetes are often advised to check their blood glucose several times per day,” says Jeff Hitchcock, president of the organization Children With Diabetes.

"Based on our most recent poll data, kids with diabetes are testing on average more than six times per day,” says Hitchcock. “Therefore, it is important that lancing systems be as simple and easy to use as possible.”

"To this end, the devices should require the fewest possible number of steps for lancing in order to provide the best user experience. For example, the priming and firing of the lancing device should be simple. Some devices require two-handed operation to pull back the cocking mechanism, while others simplify the process to one-handed operation with the press of a button—just like a ballpoint pen.

"The next generation of devices will offer the added convenience of multiple self-contained lancets in a cartridge, thus eliminating the need for loading and unloading a new or used lancet. "

UPDATE: The future is now. The next generation Accu-Chek Multiclix lancing device (which you may get from the Diabetes Care Club if you order your diabetic supplies online) is a world first in diabetes self management. Safety and convenience are combined, since no handling of lancets is necessary.

Here's how the Multiclix works:

Six lancets are preloaded in a drum making it easy to change.
The drum can simply be discarded in the household waste.
This unique lancing device also minimizes tissue tearing and pain, allowing you to test as frequently as your healthcare team recommends.

An electronic lancing device has been available since 2008, but it is not in wide distribution.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Please note: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Buying diabetic supplies online

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Many people purchase their diabetic medical supplies online. But not all providers of diabetic testing supplies and Medicare diabetic supplies are created equal.

I'd like to talk up the Diabetes Care Club (DCC): As of February 2008, Diabetes Care Club provided an uninterrupted flow of diabetic testing supplies to over 175,000 patients. There are more than 50,000 Medicare diabetes suppliers in the United States ... can you imagine having 50,000 choices ... and Diabetes Care Club is now the 3rd largest ... and growing!

I am one of the members of the DCC team here in the Nashville, Tennessee area and I can honestly say that each time we serve you, we see it as an opportunity to demonstrate DCC's mission, "Your health is our passion."

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Preventing diabetes complications: Glucose control

Monday, December 14, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes -- with their support networks and health care providers -- can reduce the occurence of diabetes complications by controlling the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids.

Studies in the United States and abroad have found that improved glycemic congrol benefits people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In general, every percentage point in A1c blood test results (for instance, from 8% to 7%) can reduce the risk of microvascular complications (eye, kidney and nerve diseases) by 40%.

In patients with type 1 diabetes, intensive insulin therapy has long-term beneficial effects on the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Simplex Healthcare's Diabetes Care Club is your source for glucose control solution and other Medicare diabetic supplies. Frequently, if you have insurance or qualify for Medicare, you may order your diabetic supplies online or call the toll-free number for the Diabetes Care Club (DCC) ... and there's no charge to you. DCC will file all necessary paperwork while you sit back and receive everything the doctor ordered.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Please note: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Medicare Diabetic Supplies: Let's review

Monday, December 14, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

As we get ready to begin a new year, it seems a good time to take a look at what Medicare covers in diabetes supplies.

I visited the Medicare website and found that in Tennessee where I live, Medicare covers some diabetes supplies, including:

    * blood glucose test strips
    * blood glucose monitor
    * lancet devices and lancets, and
    * glucose control solutions for checking the accuracy of test strips and monitors. (See blood glucose monitor coverage under Durable Medicare Equipment for more information.)

There may be limits on how much or how often you get these supplies.

Here are some ways you can make sure your Medicare diabetes medical supplies are covered:

    * Only accept supplies you have ordered. Medicare won’t pay for supplies you didn’t request.
    * Make sure you request your supply refills. Medicare won’t pay for supplies sent from the supplier to you automatically.
    * All Medicare-enrolled pharmacies and suppliers must submit claims for diabetic testing supplies. You can’t send in the claim yourself.

Medicare doesn’t cover insulin (unless used with an insulin pump), insulin pens, syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, gauze, eye exams for glasses, and routine or yearly physical exams. If you use an external insulin pump, insulin and the pump could be covered as durable medical equipment. There may be some limits on covered supplies or how often you get them. Insulin and certain medical supplies used to inject insulin are covered under Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Note: Ask if the supplier is a participating supplier in the Medicare program before you get durable medical equipment. If the supplier is a participating supplier, they must accept assignment. If the supplier is enrolled in Medicare but isn’t “participating,” they have the option to accept assignment.

If the supplier isn’t enrolled in Medicare, Medicare won't pay your claim.

Here's the link to the main Medicare website. To find out what diabetic supplies are covered where you live, just select your state from the dropdown menu and search on "diabetic services." www.medicare.gov/Coverage/Home.asp

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (www.diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Diabetes Testing Supplies: How accurate are they?

Friday, December 4, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

According to the American Diabetes Association, experts testing meters in the lab setting found them accurate and precise. That's the good news. The bad: meter mistakes most often come from the person doing the blood checks. For good results you need to do each step correctly. Here are some other things that can cause your meter to give a poor reading:

Dirty meter
Meter or strip that's not at room temperature
Outdated test strip
Meter not calibrated (set up for) the current box of test strips
Blood drop that is too small

Ask your health care team to check your skills at least once a year. Error can creep in over time.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (http://www.diabetescareclub.com/), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Please note: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Diabetes Test Strips: Stick (no pun intended) with the strips that match your meter

Friday, December 4, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

BG Meters

A blood glucose meter (BG meter) is a small machine that can read the level of glucose in your blood. You need to supply a tiny drop of your blood on the test strips made for the meter. It's important that you don't mix and match test strips. Only use strips that are made for your meter.

A meter can store your glucose readings for a few days, depending on the meter. Most even come with software so you can upload your readings into charts and see how you're doing!

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (http://www.diabetescareclub.com/), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Please note: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Finding a blood glucose monitor that fits your needs

Monday, November 2, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

It's easier than ever to find a blood glucose monitor that works for you and your specific situation. One of the best things about current diabetes testing supplies is the wide array to choo

se from. Some of the newer models check your blood and give you an answer in as quickly as 4 to 10 seconds. Some are also easier to use than others -- the Ascensia Contour Meter, for example, is the first and only system that automatically corrects for common variables that affect accuracy.

Accuracy is no longer much of an issue because the blood glucose meters on the market today all have a fairly high degree of accuracy when used properly. Still, you need to calibrate the meter once in a while, as the age of the monitor will affect accuracy. A good way to test your meter is to take a reading at the same time you are having blood drawn and then compare the results.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

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