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Finger sticks.
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May 18, 2021 05:32:43   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
I am sure that you have all seen the advertisements for the new blood glucose monitoring machines. They make it sound so good and anyone who has diabetes should definitely want one. Many insurances do not cover these items but Medicare does and you have to get them through a Durable medical supply house. Wanting one is not obtaining one and they make it next to impossible to obtain one. You have to jump through so many hoops just to test your blood sugars. They premise that they deny you on is how many times a day you have to prick you finger. You have prick your finger at least four times a day or you are denied. And you have to keep a log for at least two months, stating time times and what you blood sugar levels are. All toll, I give myself 7 shots a day. Do I WANT TO ADD MORE. Do they think I WOULD LIE TO THEM SO and I WANT TO GIVE MYSELF MORE SHOTS. Do they think I am some sort of masochist. I know I HAVE DIABETES, MY DOCTOR KNOWS I HAVE DIABETES. He has dictated to me how many times a day that I INFLICT PAIN UPON MYSELF. I want to know what my blood sugar levels are so I can avoid further complications, such as kidney failure, blindness, amputations, dialysis, etc. One would think they would be concerned with my health instead of looking for reason do deny my health. These things are not cheap but there must be a better way too keep costs down.

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May 18, 2021 05:38:35   #
Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida
 
WOW! Who could guess that such torture could be required to obtain proper equipment that doesn't even administer opioids!

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May 18, 2021 06:18:32   #
dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia
 
I am a once every two or so days.................because I forget!My Dr said three times per week.

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May 18, 2021 07:01:08   #
Stephan G
 
paulrph1 wrote:
I am sure that you have all seen the advertisements for the new blood glucose monitoring machines. They make it sound so good and anyone who has diabetes should definitely want one. Many insurances do not cover these items but Medicare does and you have to get them through a Durable medical supply house. Wanting one is not obtaining one and they make it next to impossible to obtain one. You have to jump through so many hoops just to test your blood sugars. They premise that they deny you on is how many times a day you have to prick you finger. You have prick your finger at least four times a day or you are denied. And you have to keep a log for at least two months, stating time times and what you blood sugar levels are. All toll, I give myself 7 shots a day. Do I WANT TO ADD MORE. Do they think I WOULD LIE TO THEM SO and I WANT TO GIVE MYSELF MORE SHOTS. Do they think I am some sort of masochist. I know I HAVE DIABETES, MY DOCTOR KNOWS I HAVE DIABETES. He has dictated to me how many times a day that I INFLICT PAIN UPON MYSELF. I want to know what my blood sugar levels are so I can avoid further complications, such as kidney failure, blindness, amputations, dialysis, etc. One would think they would be concerned with my health instead of looking for reason do deny my health. These things are not cheap but there must be a better way too keep costs down.
I am sure that you have all seen the advertisement... (show quote)


The one gizmo shown in the ads is attached to the arm. I cannot have anything like that on my arm because of my tendency to be bothered even by wearing a watch or a ring. Also, I can just about guarantee that it will be ripped off subconsciously by my "bouncing" off some other surface. And yet, my doctors want me to try it out. My reply is that they should try it out first and come back to me.

I rather am in favor of a system that the Chinese had (I do not know if they still do this) of paying the Medico while they are kept healthy and not paying while they are sick. That the doctor is forced to keep the patient healthy and hale to be making money.

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May 18, 2021 07:15:49   #
Capn_Dave
 
Remember the phrase.... I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

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May 18, 2021 07:24:01   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
Patients who are on once-a-day insulin or only on oral medications do not generally need to test more than once daily. Neither insurance nor Medicare cover these expensive devices unless you are using mealtime short-acting insulin. This is insulin that requires frequent dosing adjustments depending upon blood sugar level.

Why aren't these devices covered for more people with diabetes? It is a question of need and expense. A finger-stick sugar reading may cost as low as $0.30. The CGM (continuous glucose monitor) systems cost:

Regarding cost, Dexcom monitors are more expensive than the FreeStyle Libre monitor; the three parts to the Dexcom monitors––the receiver, sensors, and transmitter––all have separate costs. For the Dexcom G4 and G5, a one-year supply of the receiver costs $599 plus shipping and taxes, a four-week supply of the sensors costs $349 plus tax, and a six-month supply of the transmitter costs $599 plus shipping and taxes. The Dexcom G6 is slightly less expensive, at $355 plus shipping and taxes for a one-year supply of the receiver, $349 plus tax for a one-month supply of the sensors, and $475 plus tax for a six-month supply of the transmitter.11 Eligible Medicare patients are qualified to obtain reimbursements from Dexcom, and select insurance companies also provide coverage, as indicated on the Insurance Reimbursement Grid chart on Dexcom’s website.

This is from a very informative article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6705487/

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May 18, 2021 08:15:09   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Insurance companies are not your friends.

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May 18, 2021 08:25:07   #
Bison Bud
 
I'm sure it's all about the money, much cheaper to prick your finger, but technology is great and the prices will come down at least some as these devices see more and more use. Frankly, I was surprised to find that my Medicare Advantage plan covers the entire cost of my standard testing supplies (ie testing strips, lancets, and even the initial metering kit). My previous "employer insurance" only paid part of this cost and believe me, I paid the bigger portion. Anyway, I generally test around 3 times a day, now at no cost to me. Anyway, using a properly adjusted Accu-Chek, Fastclix lancet unit, I have experienced very little if any real pain or residual effects and often use the same finger over and over. I guess it might be different if I had to seriously increase the amount of testing, but a simple prick of the finger isn't much of an issue for me and I too would worry about accidentally ripping that button device off by bumping into things, etc.

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May 18, 2021 09:43:12   #
Najataagihe
 
My insurance (paid by me and the company) covered both systems at one time or another, so I have used both of them.

The Dexcom monitors are easier to use, as they automatically record every five seconds or so and give you a graph of your blood sugar levels on your smart phone.

BUT, they attach to your abdomen and it is an absolute pain (literally) when a seat belt snags on them and pulls them off.

It is also a more complex system to use, as you reuse the transmitter several times, but change the base more often, meaning you have to sanitize the transmitter every time you change bases (the part that sticks a sensor in you).


The Freestyle Libre attaches to the rear of your upper arm, where it is more out of the way, but it can snag on door frames or bump into walls.

The good part is that there is now an adhesive protective patch that covers the entire sensor and virtually eliminates this problem.

The down side to the Freestyle Libre is that you have to manually record readings.

It is, however, a less complex system only requiring you to pick a different area of your arm every time you change the sensor assembly.


Now, I am back to finger sticks, as that is what my current (free to me) insurance will cover.


:)

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May 18, 2021 11:12:38   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
sb wrote:
Patients who are on once-a-day insulin or only on oral medications do not generally need to test more than once daily. Neither insurance nor Medicare cover these expensive devices unless you are using mealtime short-acting insulin. This is insulin that requires frequent dosing adjustments depending upon blood sugar level.

Why aren't these devices covered for more people with diabetes? It is a question of need and expense. A finger-stick sugar reading may cost as low as $0.30. The CGM (continuous glucose monitor) systems cost:

Regarding cost, Dexcom monitors are more expensive than the FreeStyle Libre monitor; the three parts to the Dexcom monitors––the receiver, sensors, and transmitter––all have separate costs. For the Dexcom G4 and G5, a one-year supply of the receiver costs $599 plus shipping and taxes, a four-week supply of the sensors costs $349 plus tax, and a six-month supply of the transmitter costs $599 plus shipping and taxes. The Dexcom G6 is slightly less expensive, at $355 plus shipping and taxes for a one-year supply of the receiver, $349 plus tax for a one-month supply of the sensors, and $475 plus tax for a six-month supply of the transmitter.11 Eligible Medicare patients are qualified to obtain reimbursements from Dexcom, and select insurance companies also provide coverage, as indicated on the Insurance Reimbursement Grid chart on Dexcom’s website.

This is from a very informative article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6705487/
Patients who are on once-a-day insulin or only on ... (show quote)


Thanks for the response and I am very familiar with different types of diabetes. I am a retired pharmacist. TBS, it was my intent to, and maybe I was not clear enough, to specify that it was for those requiring multiple shots a day. Of course those one pills will not require it. Been there done that one also. But when you have to do multiple shots a day that puts one in a different category. My cause is to make it not so hard for people that need these products. Yes they are expensive and my copay is $130 per month and it is 20%. So the insurance would have to fork over $520 But that is not all that expensive when you consider dialysis, kidney transplant, etc. Surgery for an amputation. plus wheel chairs, pain meds, etc.
When you do multiple shots like I do you are on two types of insulin, long acting, and short acting. The long acting you use once a day and the other short acting it to keep the levels down and are for adjustments. Those are 3 to 4 to 5 times a day. And then we have the pumps which I am not familiar with at all. Well, enough of me.
But the reason for the post is protest why they make it so hard for those that do really need it not not be able to get it. Even the nurse at the Dr. office indicated they have problems all of the time and it is just not me.

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May 18, 2021 12:57:01   #
Tom467 Loc: North Central Florida
 
I went through the aggravation of documenting my blood sugars four times a day for two months and was still not approved for the device, so I am checking my blood sugar levels three times a day with the finger stick. I check my sugar before breakfast, before my evening meal and at bedtime. I put all this information on a spread sheet for my doctor to review during my office visit. While I am at it, I also check and record my blood pressure before breakfast just to make sure I am still alive and kicking.

Tom

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May 18, 2021 13:58:02   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
Tom467 wrote:
I went through the aggravation of documenting my blood sugars four times a day for two months and was still not approved for the device, so I am checking my blood sugar levels three times a day with the finger stick. I check my sugar before breakfast, before my evening meal and at bedtime. I put all this information on a spread sheet for my doctor to review during my office visit. While I am at it, I also check and record my blood pressure before breakfast just to make sure I am still alive and kicking.

Tom
I went through the aggravation of documenting my b... (show quote)


So sad Tom. Something needs to be done. Should at least be sued for false advertising.

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May 18, 2021 19:06:27   #
RiJoRi Loc: Sandy Ridge, NC
 
Just in case someone hasn't figured it out, I stick a different finger each time I do my test.

--Rich

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May 18, 2021 21:11:44   #
quagmire Loc: Greenwood,South Carolina
 
I started drinking pomegranate juice over a year ago for my circulation and it made my a1c go from 9 to 6.3

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May 19, 2021 08:17:32   #
Stephan G
 
RiJoRi wrote:
Just in case someone hasn't figured it out, I stick a different finger each time I do my test.

--Rich


And they are not necessarily his.

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