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Do You Need A Prescription For Diabetic Test Strips


How Do I Get My Medicare Diabetes Supplies

What Not to Do with your Diabetes Test strips when Testing Your Blood Glucose

You can order and pick up supplies from your pharmacy, or you can order them from a DME supplier.

If you order from a supplier, you must place the order yourself, meaning a doctor cannot call it in for you. However, you will still need a prescription from your doctor to place the order.

When you go to the pharmacy or supplier, show your red, white and blue Medicare card and your prescription.

You can also order supplies through the Medicare National Mail-Order Program, including test strips, lancets and lancet devices. If you want your supplies mailed to your home, you must use a Medicare national mail-order contract supplier. You can visit www.Medicare.gov or call Medicare for a list of contracted suppliers.


You need a new prescription from your doctor for lancets and test strips every 12 months, so dont forget to ask for refills for your supplies every year.

Whether Or Not You Need A Prescription To Purchase Diabetic Test Strips Depends On One Thing Read This Article To Find Out How It All Works

If youre one of the;29 million Americans living with diabetes, you likely have a lot of questions about how to get the medication you need.;Were sure you also have questions about how you can keep the costs of supplies, test strips, lancets, and hospital visits down.;Even if youre working out and taking care of yourself, you may feel like you cant do much to fight back against the rising costs of life with diabetes. In this post, well talk about whether or not you need a prescription to get diabetic test strips.

Well also talk about how the cost of diabetes is different for the insured and the uninsured diabetes patient.;No matter what your coverage is like, its always a smart idea to look for bargains, ways to save, and ways to make back some of the money youve spent on;diabetic test strips.;Read this post to learn how to save;better.

Where To Get Your Test Strips

You can get test strips on prescription or you can buy them over the counter at a pharmacy or online.

Most meters will only take one type of test strip. So, you should make sure you know which strip your meter uses before buying. This is also important to remember with your prescription for test strips. Your local area may only have a limited range of meters available to them and will only prescribe strips for the meters they give out.


If you have Type 2 and want to get test strips, you might not be able to get them on prescription. You will only be able to get test strips on prescription if your doctor or nurse wants you to self-monitor.

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How Much Do Testing Supplies Cost

If youve met your Part B deductible , you will pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for diabetic testing supplies. Medicare pays the other 80 percent.

Depending on the type of equipment or supplies you need, you may need to:

  • rent the equipment.
  • buy the equipment.
  • choose whether to rent or buy the equipment.

Additionally, your durable medical equipment will only be covered if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. You must also purchase your testing supplies from a supplier who accepts assignment. In this case, they can only charge you the coinsurance and Part B deductible.


Accepting assignment means the supplier agrees to be paid directly by Medicare and accepts the payment amount Medicare approves for the service. The Medicare-approved amount is the amount a supplier can be paid by Medicare, and you pay the rest.

To ensure your supplier is enrolled in Medicare, ask if they participate in Medicare before you order the supplies.

How much you will specifically pay for supplies depends on a variety of factors such as:

  • Other insurance you may have.
  • How much your doctor charges.
  • Where you get your supplies.
  • Whether your doctor and supplier accept assignment.

Buy Unused Test Strips From A Buyer

Do You Have To Have A Prescription For Glucose Test Strips ...

If youre not covered by insurance, or if youre tired of spending hours on the phone with your company trying to get reimbursed for your;diabetic test strips, listen up.;Working with a buyer means youll get the supplies you need to keep you feeling your best without paying a markup.;Sometimes, these same buyers will even give out extra strips free of charge at local diabetes clinics, to help those who cannot afford their supplies.

Also Check: Vitamin B12 For Diabetics


Is A Prescription Required For Diabetic Test Strips

Heres the short answer:

If you want your insurance company to reimburse you for the costs of your;diabetic test strips, then yes, you;will need a prescription.;However, that doesnt mean you can just get any brand of;diabetic test strips you like.;Instead, youll have to make sure youve chosen diabetic test strips that your insurance company will cover. If you choose another brand, your co-pay will likely by much higher.

Also, if you want your insurance company to cover your strips, youll have to get an;exact;prescription for the number of strips you will use each day for the length of your prescription.;The number of refills youre allowed to have covered will also depend on your insurance company.;If you;dont want your insurance plan to cover your;diabetic test strips, then you do not have to have a prescription.;The reality is that, whether or not youre insured, youll likely incur a high cost of diabetes supplies and medications that will come out of your own pocket.

Will My Insurance Company Pay For The Medicines And Supplies I Need

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. And it is estimated that it costs the nation $170 billion annually. As a result, 46 states have mandated that insurers must cover diabetes medicine, supplies, and equipment. But you may have to engage in a letter-writing campaign to get your health insurer to pay for certain medical devices. Also, if you’re on Medicare or Medicaid, you can check online to see if these government programs will reimburse you for diabetes supplies.

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How Do I Store Diabetes Medications And Supplies

If you take insulin, your doctor or diabetes educator will give you full instructions for storing it and using it effectively. Some diabetes drug manufacturers suggest storing the insulin in the refrigerator. Yet, as anyone with diabetes will tell you, injecting cold insulin into the body can be painful.

To avoid a painful, cold injection, many diabetes educators suggest keeping insulin at room temperature while it’s being used. Insulin should last about one month at room temperature. Many people prefer to keep the diabetes supplies in a kitchen or bedroom drawer. That way, the glucose monitor, syringes, insulin, lancets, alcohol swabs, and other necessary supplies are always together and available for use.

Always think ahead. You never want to risk being without the supplies and medicine you need. Keep extra supplies on hand to reduce the risk of a diabetic emergency. If you use insulin, you can store extra bottles in the refrigerator and take a bottle out so it has time to warm to room temperature before giving yourself an injection.

Never freeze insulin or store it in a hot location. If you purchase insulin from a pharmacy, be sure to take it home soon after buying it to avoid extreme temperatures. Also, keep test strips dry, and don’t expose them to moisture or extreme heat or cold or you may damage the integrity of the strip.

Can Expired Test Strips Give A False Reading Do They All Go Bad

How to Use Diabetes Test Strips – Part 2

The most important factor when buying test strips is having accurate results. Diathrive provides you with control solution at no cost so you can always verify the accuracy of your test strips. Learn more about test strip accuracy here.;


Blood glucose test strips have an expiration date because the enzyme on the strip can be affected by heat, cold, moisture, age and other factors. Damaged or expired strips can give false readings that are very far from your true blood sugar. We always send strips that are at least a year from their expiration date. Usually, you have about 15-18 months to use your strips before they expire.;

Read Also: How To Avoid Diabetes In Early Stages

What Do I Need To Know About Glucose Meters

Portable glucose meters are small devices operated by batteries. There are many blood glucose-monitoring systems available. Each brand and type has advantages and disadvantages. In addition, glucose meters range substantially in price, depending on the particular features you want. Some of the features to consider are convenience, quick response, and accuracy.

Keep in mind that some glucose meters require more blood than others. This is a big concern for very young children or for elderly people with diabetes. Some meters have a larger digital readout — an important consideration for older individuals or people with poor vision. And there are glucose meters that give results much faster than others, which can make them more convenient. Other differences may include portability, size, and cost.

Today, blood glucose meters can usually provide results in 15 seconds or less and can store this valuable information for you and your doctor. These meters can also calculate an average blood glucose level over a period of time. Some glucose meters also feature software kits that retrieve information from the meter and display graphs and charts of your past test results on a computer or cell phone.


Using the results from a glucose monitor, you can make daily adjustments in:

  • The medications you take — for instance, how much insulin you need
  • Your dietary choices — counting carbs
  • Your exercise regimen
  • Physical activities

How Do You Write A Prescription For Glucometer And Test Strips

  • Write diagnosis code on test strip prescription
  • Directions should include specific testing frequency
  • Medicare allows for 100 test strips and 100 lancets every 30 days if on Insulin and every 90 days otherwise.
  • You don’t need a prescription to purchase glucometers, test strips or lancets; you can buy them over the counter. But because the long-term costs of these supplies can be high, many insurance plans cover the meters and test strips.

    Additionally, how do I get a free glucometer test strip? All you have to do is:Fill out the information below. Click the SUBMIT button. Print your coupon and bring it to your local pharmacy with a prescription from your healthcare provider Purchase minimum 50-count CONTOUR®NEXT test strip at the pharmacy.

    Beside this, can you buy blood glucose test strips over counter?

    You can purchase blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets, and other diabetes supplies at your local pharmacy or at online pharmacies.


    Are diabetic test strips universal?

    Again, unless the manufacturer specifically approves this practice, the answer is no. In an ideal world, manufacturers of blood glucose test strips would cooperate with each other to market a universal test strip that would work in any machine, and all future machines would be made compatible with the universal strip.

    Recommended Reading: What Happens If You Have Diabetes

    Blood Glucose Test Strips

    PharmaCare limits the number of blood glucose test strips it covers for a patient each calendar year.;The amount is based;on the diabetes treatment they are receiving.

    Research shows that most people with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin do not need to test their blood sugar routinely. There is little evidence that frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose, without a medically valid reason, improves diabetes care.


    Most people can test at the recommended frequency within the new limits. If you should need more than the annual limit, see;What if I need to test more often?;

    Note: in the table below,;If you are in more than one category, and not using a CGM, the higher limit applies.

    Annual limits

    Each time you pick up a prescription, your pharmacy records it in PharmaNet. PharmaNet is a computer network where all prescriptions filled in B.C. are recorded.;PharmaNet determines the proper test strip limit. If your treatment changes, PharmaNet automatically updates your annual limit of test strips.

    Each time you buy test strips, the number of strips you bought will be deducted from your annual limit in PharmaNet. Your pharmacist can advise you if you have exceeded your limit. You can also contact us at the number below to find out how many strips you have left for the year.


    Pay attention to expiry dates.;Make sure you dont buy strips that will expire before you can use them.

    Where Can I Get Free Insulin

    Do You Need A Prescription For Diabetic Test Strips ...

    Over the last few years, the cost of insulin has skyrocketed. If you are struggling to pay for your insulin, three drug manufacturers may offer immediate prescription assistance: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi. The American Diabetes Association has more information on how to access cheaper insulin through manufacturers.

    Also Check: What Happens If Insulin Is Taken After Food

    Test Strip Reimbursement Limits

    To help monitor the number of test strips your patient has received during a 365-day period, the ministry’s Health Network System will track and determine the reimbursement level based on each patient’s diabetes treatment.

    The chart below shows the reimbursement limits for test strips for each 365-day period:


    Diabetes Treatment Category

    How Do Glucose Test Strips Work

    If you have diabetes, its probably a very familiar drill: You stick the test strip into the meters slot, prick a finger with the lancet, draw out a drop of blood, and transfer the blood to the edge of the test strip.

    What happens next is pretty ingenious, even though at first glance the technology might seem old-fashioned when compared to insulin pumps, CGMs, or other new technologies for diabetes care.

    The chemicals in the strip react with glucose to create an electric current, and electrons travel to the meter. The meter then determines how much glucose was required to generate that much electricity and bingo, your blood glucose number flashes on the screen.

    Actually, the science behind test strips is quite complicated. They are made up of at least five different layers, including a super-thin layer of gold that helps conduct the current. Click here to see an illustration.

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    Insulin Concentration And Vial Size

    Insulin Concentration: Long-acting, regular, and rapid insulin comes in a concentration of 100 units/ml. Some may come in 200 units/ml or 500 units/ml which would be reserved for people taking HUGE amounts of insulin per day.

    Vial Size: A good average vial size is 10 ml. That means if the insulin has a concentration of 100 units/ml, one 10 ml vial will have 1,000 units in it.

    Do You Need A Prescription For Lancing Device

    Selling Diabetes Test Strips for Cash – I Buy Diabetic Test Strips

    You dohave to have a prescriptionlancetsYou needarelancetsyoulancets

    You don’t need a prescription to purchase glucometers, test strips or lancets; you can buy them over the counter. But because the long-term costs of these supplies can be high, many insurance plans cover the meters and test strips.

    Also Know, are all lancets interchangeable? All lancets are not the same. Lancets have different size needles. Some lancets are made for children, and some for adults. Also, many brands have their own lancets that will only work with their devices.

    Secondly, can you buy diabetic lancets over the counter?

    You can purchase blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets, and other diabetes supplies at your local pharmacy or at online pharmacies.

    How much is a lancet device?

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    Skip The Prescription And Save On Diabetic Test Strips

    We know that life with diabetes can sometimes be tough emotionally, physically,;and;financially.;We want to help you keep costs down, so you can have peace of mind and body.

    Contact us to learn more about how you can sell your strips online, or where to find affordable strips in your area.

    Stop fighting with your insurance company and constantly trying to figure out what your plan covers.;Instead, cut out the middleman and get strips when you need them not when your insurance plan says you can have them.

    What Diabetes Supplies Do I Need

    Depending on the type of diabetes you have — type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes — you’ll need to purchase:

    • A glucose meter
    • Lancets to pierce your finger for a blood sample
    • Urine test strips to measure ketone levels
    • Glucose tablets
    • Emergency alert bracelet

    There may be other supplies you’ll want to purchase, such as control solutions or specialty items like carrying cases.

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    The Strange Marketplace For Diabetes Test Strips

    It is legal to resell unused test strips for blood glucose, and many patients do, driving an unusual trade online and on the streets.

    On most afternoons, people arrive from across New York City with backpacks and plastic bags filled with boxes of small plastic strips, forming a line on the sidewalk outside a Harlem storefront.

    Hanging from the awning, a banner reads: Get cash with your extra diabetic test strips.

    Each strip is a laminate of plastic and chemicals little bigger than a fingernail, a single-use diagnostic test for measuring blood sugar. More than 30 million Americans have Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and most use several test strips daily to monitor their condition.

    But at this store on W. 116th Street, each strip is also a lucrative commodity, part of an informal economy in unused strips nationwide. Often the sellers are insured and paid little out of pocket for the strips; the buyers may be underinsured or uninsured, and unable to pay retail prices, which can run well over $100 for a box of 100 strips.

    Some clinicians are surprised to learn of this vast resale market, but it has existed for decades, an unusual example of the vagaries of American health care. Unlike the resale of prescription drugs, which is prohibited by law, it is generally legal to resell unused test strips.

    In a retail pharmacy, name-brand strips command high prices. But like most goods and services in American health care, that number doesnt reflect what most people pay.

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