Diabetic Test Strip

How do Medicare Part B beneficiaries get their diabetes supplies?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 by Aliceann Toole

Once you have received the required prescription for Medicare-covered diabetes supplies from your physician, you must

take it to a Medicare-enrolled pharmacy or supplier. The pharmacy or supplier must submit claims for supplies on your behalf.

Remember ... you cannot submit a claim for blood glucose monitor test strips yourself.

Two important questions to ask your pharmacy or supplier before you submit your prescription are:

1. Are you enrolled in Medicare?

2. Do you accept assignment?

If the answer to either of these two questions is "no," call another pharmacy or supplier until you find one that can answer "yes" to be sure your purchase is covered by Medicare and to save money.

Many seniors find mail order Medicare diabetes supply companies a convenient alternative. They just set up an account online or via a free phone call and their diabetes test supplies arrive conveniently in the mail.

How does Medicare help diabetic seniors?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 by Aliceann Toole

The government estimates that one in five people of Medicare age are diabetic. Medicare Part B covers certain supplies for beneficiaries with diabetes. These supplies include:

--Blood glucose self-testing equipment and supplies;

--Therapeutic shoes and inserts; and

--Insulin pumps and the insulin used in the pumps.

If you require blood glucose self-testing equipment and supplies, Medicare Part B covers:

--Blood glucose monitors;

--Blood glucose test strips;

--Lancet devices and lancets; and

--Glucose control solutions for checking the accuracy of testing equipment and test strips.

And Medicare Part B covers the same type of blood glucose testing supplies for people with diabetes whether or not they need insulin ... but you'll need a prescription from your doctor for any testing equipment or supplies.

Your doctor will know what must be included on a prescription, but it is best to be an educated consumer and learn about Medicare's requirements. Your prescription must include your diabetes diagnosis, what kind of blood glucose monitor you need and why (if, for instance, you need a special monitor because of vision problems, your doctor must explain that). The prescription will indicate if you need to use insulin and how often you should test your blood glucose.

Using the True Track Smart System

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 by Maeve Quinn

When looking to buy diabetic supplies, you should consider the True Track Smart System, an affordable yet high-performance monitor.

It uses an extremely small sample size: only one microliter blood sample per test. Small samples minimize the pain associated with glucose testing. They also mean that alternate site testing -- pricking the arm, leg, or palm of your hand -- may be an option if approved by your doctor.

The Smart System's monitor turns on automatically when you insert the test strips, and provides results in only 10 seconds. It stores up to 365 tests and can be programmed to provide average results on a weekly or monthly basis. It even allows you to upload results onto True Track computer software. Overall, True Track provides an excellent tool for type 2 diabetes management.

Which Diabetes Test Strips are Right For You?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 by Maeve Quinn

Diabetes test strips are an important tool for controlling glucose levels and preventing hyperglycemia.There are many different brands to choose from, for example:

- Freestyle Glucose Strips
- Onetouch Test Strips
- Onetouch Ultra Test Strips
- Roche Test Strips
- True Track Test Strips
- Trueread Test Strips
- Wavesense Test Strips
- Wavesense Presto Test Strips

Each type has different benefits and limitations. For instance, Wavesense Presto Test Strips only work with the Wavesense Presto Blood Glucose Monitoring System, whereas True Track Test Strips only use a one microliter blood sample per test. In any case, make sure you thoroughly weigh the pros and cons. Consult with your physician and the staff of the Diabetes Care Club to learn which diabetes test strips will work best for your medical needs and your budget.

Supplies for Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 by Maeve Quinn

Living with adult onset Diabetes Mellitus? You probably have to buy a variety of diabetic supplies. It can certainly be a hassle trying to get order one item from a website and still have to go to the store for other supplies and accessories. It would be nice to be able to get everything you need from one place, right? You should consider the low cost diabetes supplies provided by the Diabetes Care Club.

Diabetes Care Club provides you with cheap diabetic supplies by working with Medicare, Medicaid, and your insurance plan to get you the meters, test strips, and other items you need at the lowest possible price. You can often end up with free diabetic testing equipment delivered right to your door with the Care Club's free at-home delivery policy. Check out the Diabetes Care Club and you could find yourself saving a lot of time and money!

Medicare Diabetes Supply

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 by Maeve Quinn

Medicare provides a great deal of support for its type 2 diabetes patients. Medicare covers all the equipment necessary for the control of diabetes, including:

- a glucose testing meter;
- glucose testing strips;
- lancets;
- lancet devices;
- batteries; and
- diabetic control solution.

For all of these supplies, Medicare pays 80% of the cost for qualifying patients. That's a considerable percentage! Also, depending on your insurance coverage and which state you live in, your secondary insurance could cover as much as the remaining 20%, which leaves you with completely free diabetes testing supplies. Make sure that you are taking advantage of your Medicare and insurance coverage. Diabetes disease management can be costly, but with Medicare and secondary coverage, you might find yourself saving a lot of money!

Alternate Site Testing Saves Gardener's Fingers

Monday, June 14, 2010 by David Brown

It is such a relief to know that blood sugar readings do not have to involve your fingertips anymore!

As a busy gardener and a "hands on" person, I do not want to deal with fingers that are sore from blood sugar readings. Alternate site testing means I can test glucose levels by taking blood from my arm, leg, or palm. I still use the same blood sugar meters and diabetes test strips, but I no longer suffer from constant finger pricks.

I've found the whole process to be easier and less painful. The best diabetes test and techniques vary by individual, so be sure to ask your doctor if alternate site testing is an option for you. You can control type 2 diabetes without sacrificing your showpiece garden!

Many EMS Departments use Ascensia Contour meter

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Did you know that many Emergency Services Departments around the country use the Ascensia Contour Meter in their diabetes emergency treatment protocols? Paramedics carry the glucometer and test strips in their gear, and they are trained and tested on their use.

That's the same meter that tens of thousands of Diabetes Care Club members use every day.

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

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.

Keep your blood sugar monitor accurate

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

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

    * Check the test strips. Throw out damaged or outdated diabetes testing 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, 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.

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.

Review: caring for your Ascensia Contour meter

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

It's pretty common in sports to talk about the need to "get back to basics" or "review the fundamentals." So it's probably wise to review how to care for your Ascensia Contour meter ... even if you've been using it for a while.

The manufacturer recommends that you:

store the meter in its carrying case whenever possible
wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling to keep the meter free of oils and other contaminants
handle the meter carefully to avoid damaging the electronics or causing other malfunctions ... did you know that if you allow solution to drip into the test strip port or around the buttons, you could cause a malfunction?
avoid exposing the meter and test strip to excessive conditions ... humidity, heat, cold, dust or dirt
clean the exterior with a moist (not wet) lint-free tissue with a mild detergent or disinfectant solution (such as 1 part bleach mixed with 9 parts water); wipe dry with a lint-free tissue

Done and done.

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.

Trust your Ascensia Contour meter

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Your Ascensia Contour meter has been designed to make accuracy automatic. And it is the first and only system that automatically corrects for common variables that affect accuracy.

Unlike the meters that need to be manually coded in order to obtain accurate results, CONTOUR ® and BREEZE ® 2 meters provide No Coding™ technology. This means that these meters automatically set the correct code any time a Bayer test strip is inserted - so there are fewer steps and less chance for inaccurate results.

How great is that!

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.

You can trust your Optium blood glucose test strips

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

One of the reasons Optium strips are so popular is that they produce such reliable results. Here's why:

   1. Clinical Accuracy: TrueMeasure technology to assure accuracy
   2. Easy: End-fill strips use extremely small blood samples
   3. Alternative site testing: Provides the option to test on the forearm, upper arm or base of the thumb instead of fingertips for less pain.
   4. Fast: 5 second test time

Don't forget, however, that MediSense Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips are intended for use with MediSense Optium Blood Glucose Meters only.

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.

Optium test strips are a good value

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Did you know that your Optium strips are a really good value because they are:

   1. Minimize test strip waste (and, thereby, costs) because you are likely to have fewer error messages.
   2. Individually foil wrapped to avoid inaccuracies caused by the effects of exposure to air or moisture.
   3. Avoid false starts through patented fill trigger that is designed to prevent tests from starting until enough blood is applied.

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.

Optium Strips may be used for alternative site testing

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Optium Strips for the MediSense Blood Glucose monitor offer the convenience of alternative site testing ... you have the option to test on the upper arm, forearm or base of the thumb instead of the fingertips for less discomfort. The patented fill trigger on the strips is designed to prevent tests from starting until enough blood is applied.

The unique design of the Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips minimizes strip waste and costs due to fewer test error messages.

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.

Optium Strips have additional benefits

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Here's something good to know ... A benefit of choosing MediSense Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips is that they are designed to reduce the effects of interference from metabolites and common medicines such as Vitamin C and aspirin for glucose specific 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.

What you need to receive diabetes supplies through Medicare

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

To get your Medicare diabetic supplies and equipment, you need a prescription from your doctor. The prescription should say:

    * You have been diagnosed with diabetes.
    * What kind of blood sugar monitor you need. If, for instance, you need a special meter because of vision problems, your doctor must explain that.
    * Whether you use insulin.
    * How often you should test your blood sugar.
    * How many test strips and lancets you need for one month.

Points to remember:

    * Ask your doctor or health care provider if regular blood sugar testing is right for you.
    * You need a prescription from your doctor to get your diabetes equipment and supplies under Medicare.
    * Learn the correct way to use your blood sugar meter properly. Your pharmacist, doctor, diabetes educator, or another health care provider can help you.
    * Keep track of your blood sugar readings and share them with your doctor or health care provider at regular visits.
    * Do not accept shipments of diabetes equipment and supplies that you did not ask for.

If you would like more information about Medicare diabetic supplies and services, you may download a PDF brochure: www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11022.pdf

The Diabetic Care Club (DCC) is also a good source if you have questions about coverage. To find out if you qualify for a free DCC membership, just fill out and submit the form on the right side of this page and a DCC Diabetic Care Coordinator will call you back promptly. Or call directly, toll-free, at 1-800-840-7711. When you become a member, DCC files all Medicare claim forms for you -- and you'll never have to make an upfront payment. If you don't have secondary coverage, you may qualify for DCC's Financial Waiver Program, which waives the 20% not covered by Medicare.

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

Why are my Optium Strips individually wrapped?

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Clinical studies indicate that leaving diabetes test strip vials uncapped can significantly affect the accuracy of results. Each Optium Test Strip is sealed in an individual foil packet to protect it from air and moisture. Studies show that foil wrapping individual test strips is important for ensuring the accuracy of glucose monitoring in the real world.

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.

The evolution of diabetes treatment

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Do you ever wonder how people in the diabetes community lived before they had self management tools like Ascensia Contour monitors, Optium strips, modified diabetes recipes and the like?

Translated from ancient Greek, diabetes mellitus means 'honey sweet flow,' and stems from a time when tasting a patient's urine was still part of the physician's diagnostic repertoire. By the sweet taste of the urine, diabetes mellitus could be distinguished from diabetes insipidus, another disease with increased urinary output.

Diabetes mellitus appears to have been a death sentence in the ancient era. Hippocrates makes no mention of it, which may indicate that he felt the disease was incurable. The Greek physician Aretaeus did attempt to treat it, but could not give a good prognosis; he commented that "life (with diabetes) is short, disgusting and painful." The Indian Sushruta (written around 100 AD) identified diabetes and further identified it with obesity and sedentary lifestyle, advising exercises to help "cure" it.

The 20th Century was a time of scientific enlightenment in diabetes research, including a number of Nobel Prizes in medicine. The turning point came in 1921, when Sir Frederick Grant Banting and Charles Herbert Best demonstrated that they could reverse induced diabetes in dogs by giving them an extract (insulin) from the pancreatic islets of Langerhans of healthy dogs.

Banting, Best and colleagues went on to purify the hormone insulin from bovine pancreases at the University of Toronto, leading to the availability of an effective treatment -- insulin injections. The first patient was treated in 1922. For this achievement, Banting and laboratory director MacLeod received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923 and shared their prize money with others on the team.

In an unprecedented gesture of generosity to humankind, Banting and Best made the patent available without charge and did not attempt to control commercial production. Insulin production and therapy rapidly spread around the world, largely as a result of this decision. Banting is honored by World Diabetes Day, which is held on his birthday, November 14.

In 1980, U.S. biotech company Genentech developed human insulin. The insulin is isolated from genetically altered bacteria (the bacteria contain the human gene for synthesizing human insulin), which produce large quantities of insulin. Scientists then purify the insulin and distribute it to pharmacies for use by diabetes patients. (The illustration above shows the scientific structure of insulin.)

And each year, our knowledge and diabetes self management knowledge and capabilities grow through further discoveries and vastly improved testing technologies.

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

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