glucose meters...

ericalynn, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2007

check with your hospital, I know we have ones that we give to newly diagnosed diabetics. I know I have also seen commercials on TV (I think from OneTouch) that offer free glucose meters. Good Luck!

woody62, RN · Sep 11, 2007

Hi ya'all,
I am wondering if anyone in AllNurses-land has any web addresses or places that I can seek out to find a free glucose meter and supplies for a newly diagnosed diabetic who does not have health insurance.....
Got any ideas???
Thanks for your help....
crni

WalMart has a meter manufactured by their store brand named ReliOn, with strips at a lower cost then others. Some manufacturers do have programs that supply meters and test strips at a much lower cost then the regular market price. But I don't know which ones they are. Sorry If the patient has no insurance try and match him up with classes offered for free by community based hospitals. They generally run in the day time but there are some in the early evening. If he has to go on a medication, metformin is the cheapest. WalMart sells it for $4 for a months supply. If he needs insulin, relion syringes are less then $20 for 100. And Novaline insulin is generally about $20 for a 10 cc vital.

If he has access to the INTERNET, tell him to go to the American Diabetic Association. They have several message boards where he can get support and advice. I would tell him to stay away from AOL's diabetes message board. They are generally against any medication and are totally committed to Bernstein's low carbohydrate diet. By low, I mean 32 grams of carbohydrates a day. As a diabetic, I and others on the ADA message board advise new comers to keep a food diary, entering everything you eat or drink and the amount of the portions. And checking your blood sugars approximately 90 minutes after he takes his first bite. By keeping the diary he can learn what causes his blood sugar to go up and thus avoid those carbohydrates. Depending on his daily activity, i.e. work, it can have an impact on lowering his blood sugar and the amount of carbohydrates.

Woody:balloons:

TeresaB930, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2007

A study buddy of mine continues to work as a pharmacy tech, and she told me that pharmacies have free ones also, she just needs the script from the doc.

I believe she said it comes with only a few test strips though.

Hope that helps!

kstec, LPN · Sep 11, 2007

When I worked as a pharmacy tech, our hospital pharmacy also gave free glucose meters to newly diagnosed diabetics. All the floor had to do was call down and ask for one. Also some doctors offices keep them on hand that drug reps have handed out. Your patient can ask his PCP. Or you can also refer him to a diabetic educator who should have any and all resources available to your patient. Good Luck

leslie :-D · Sep 11, 2007

you can try any of these links for add'l resources:

http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-legalresources/healthcare/insurance.jsp

click on govt affairs & advocacy, then click health insurance options.

http://www.needymeds.com/indices/faq.tml

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/258491/how_to_get_a_free_diabetic_glucose.html

leslie

EmmaG, RN · Sep 11, 2007

Getting a free meter usually isn't the problem... it's the cost of the testing strips and other supplies that run into the money.

From the ADA site:

4. I cannot afford my test strips. What should I do?

People without health insurance can check with a local community center or clinic to see if they can obtain free or reduced-cost test strips. Unfortunately, the ADA is not aware of any manufacturer that offers a compassionate use program for test strips.
People with health insurance that does not adequately cover test strips have fewer options. Different pharmacies have test strips available at varying prices, so shopping around for the lowest cost will help those individuals whose policies cover a percentage of the cost.

So those without insurance (or those with inadequate insurance) are screwed. Do they quit their job and go on public assistance? Or continue working, unable to afford adequate preventative and maintenance care and end up with the myriad of complications that come with uncontrolled diabetes? Which means not only additional health issues for that person, but lost productivity, disability, expensive long-term care, etc.

Whenever someone goes off on a tangent against single payer/universal health care, I ask them to consider just this one condition, and it's economic impact on us all --- then tell me a universal health plan focused on preventative maintenance care is "too expensive".

[/rant]

lsyorke, RN · Sep 11, 2007

Getting a free meter usually isn't the problem... it's the cost of the testing strips and other supplies that run into the money.

Exactly!! Most companies will give you the meter(hubby gets them mailed to him all the time) but the strips are what breaks the bank. Luckily our insurance covers them.

lilcajunnurse · Sep 11, 2007

Every So Often The Reps Will Leave 10 Or So Glucose Meters For The Nurses To Give To The Needy. Tell Your Pt. To Check With Her Doctor Or Local Hospital Or Health Unit.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2007

The glucometers are not that expensive, as others have stated. In fact, some of the cheaper models cost less than $40. However, those test strips can cost about $1 per piece. A bottle of 50 chem strips can cost well over $50, and last only a few days if the diabetic is required to obtain blood glucose readings 4 times per day.

CRNI-ICU20 · Sep 11, 2007

You are all tlhe BEST!! Thanks for your help....my patient will be forever grateful for your help.....

blessings to you, crni

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Sep 11, 2007

Also WallMart has their "house brand" meters and strips that are much cheaper than brand name strips. Used to be about $15 for 50.They are accurate and really good to use for a new diabetic who is testing alot.