Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kate's Mom on November 18, 2012 at 3:38pm

Bayer now has a Contour meter that links http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/glucose-meters

This is now the standard meter for the Paradigm system.

Permalink Reply by Unicornzzz on November 18, 2012 at 3:48pm

I just got the Revel pump from MM and it came with a Bayer USB meter. I was told that a lot of insurances do not cover the Bayer test strips.

I would appeal the insurance decision and see if they are not willing to make an exception for you. Several meter companies also have programs that will help cover the cost of the testing strips. I do not remember if One Touch has a program like that. I would contact them to see if they have a program like that.

Permalink Reply by MinnesotaAnn on November 18, 2012 at 4:07pm

all I had to do was to have my endo write a letter asking for authorization for the one touch test strips because that meter already talks to my pump. went easily with no questions and no problems my auth is good for 1 year........

Permalink Reply by PMichel on November 18, 2012 at 4:29pm

I would check to see see if they will cover it, if your doctor writes the prescription as medically necessary. That is what I do.

Permalink Reply by mary on November 18, 2012 at 4:30pm

BD meter also links.

Permalink Reply by john on November 19, 2012 at 3:52pm

Why not call the insurer and request a reconsideration? once you explain it, they may very well go along with it.

Permalink Reply by Leotha Fleming III on November 19, 2012 at 7:09pm

I have the Bayer Contour Meter that links, but my insurance only covered OneTouch. So my Doctor just had to do a authorization and say why I needed supplies from a non-preferred provider and within a few hours, the insurance started paying for all my contour supplies with no problem.

Permalink Reply by Hope on November 26, 2012 at 5:42am

I have a similar situation My insurance stopped paying for my Freestyle strips, and now say they only will cover Accu-chek strips. My Freestyle meter does not communicate with my pump,but it works well for me for many reasons, and I did not want to give it up. My endo wrote a letter of medical necessity, which the insurance company rejected. I called Freestyle and explained the problem, and they enrolled me in some sort of discount program, which was pretty substantial. At the same time, I talked to a nurse at my endo's office, whose job it is to follow up on "problems" including issues with insurance. She is writing an appeal, and contacted some company (ACS- which is through Abbot, which makes Freestyle) and somehow I am now able to get my Freestyle strips for the cost of the copay I would have if I got the only strips covered by my insurance.

Meanwhile, the appeal with insurance continues, but I am able to get my Freestyle strips. I would call your endo, and also the company who makes your meter. I also got a bunch of samples sent to me by a rep to help me get by. In short, the Freestyle people have been super helpful, and my problem seems close to being solved. In this cases, being assertive really can pay off.
Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Laura S. on November 30, 2012 at 11:35am

Havent been here for awhile, but this caught my eye. First, yes, do get a special authorization from your doctor. It usually can be done. Second, One touch has instituted a loyalty program. I have been getting my $20 copay for 300 strips per month, knocked down to $5.00. This program has gone on for most of 2012, and is continuing in 2013. So, dont give up, you have options.

Permalink Reply by Jtausch on November 30, 2012 at 3:06pm

I also just received the minimed paradigm 723 pump and the new meter. I hope I can get my doctor to write a prescription for the new strips with the letter. I use tricare and they say if needed for use for a pump they will grant a exemption.

Now I am just waiting to get a class date to start using it! Hate having the pump and not able to use it!