Advanced Cardio Services. Is that the same outfit you use? The number is 800 769 8177.
I am not sure if it is because the number is different.
Home monitoring for coumadin. I have a mechanical heart valve
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I am not sure if it is because the number is different.
No. There are quite a few INR monitoring services on the market.......and if you want to have Medicare or private insurance cover part of the cost be sure you get a doctor's prescription and/or approval of your insurer before contracting with the service. Not all providers are approved and/or in the insurer network.
Sheenas7 - personally, I would absolutely choose the Coag-Sense PT2. I've had one since the day they were released. Before that, I used the original, PT1 meter.
The PT2 works differently from the CoaguChek XS. The Coag-Sense actually detects the time it takes for a clot to form. The CoaguChek XS uses an electronic detector to estimate when a clot forms - and applies some calculations to come up with a prothrombin time and INR. This is not to knock the CoaguChek XS - it's pretty accurate for INRs below around 3.5 or 4.0. Personally, I prefer the Coag-Sense (and I have both).
The Coag-Sense has a slightly higher learning curve than the CoaguChek XS - but it's really not a problem. If you get a PT2 and have issues with getting the blood onto the strip, I'm here to help.
Over the years, Coagusense has been trying a variety of methods to transfer blood from finger to strip. The latest one is easy, and works. (Some people who use the CoaguChek XS who have problems touching the blood to the strip use capillary tubes to collect the blood, then transfer it to the strip -- in a way that's almost identical to the method for getting blood onto the Coag-Sense strip).
The PT2 has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an Ethernet port, and an NFC reader that can be used to scan in codes for each new box of strips. My meter has done a few firmware updates since I've gotten it. It uses internal, rechargeable battery - which is charged with a mini-USB connection. The battery power lasts for many weeks. Plus, it's got a nice color display and easy menuing system.
I really like mine.
The PT2 works differently from the CoaguChek XS. The Coag-Sense actually detects the time it takes for a clot to form. The CoaguChek XS uses an electronic detector to estimate when a clot forms - and applies some calculations to come up with a prothrombin time and INR. This is not to knock the CoaguChek XS - it's pretty accurate for INRs below around 3.5 or 4.0. Personally, I prefer the Coag-Sense (and I have both).
The Coag-Sense has a slightly higher learning curve than the CoaguChek XS - but it's really not a problem. If you get a PT2 and have issues with getting the blood onto the strip, I'm here to help.
Over the years, Coagusense has been trying a variety of methods to transfer blood from finger to strip. The latest one is easy, and works. (Some people who use the CoaguChek XS who have problems touching the blood to the strip use capillary tubes to collect the blood, then transfer it to the strip -- in a way that's almost identical to the method for getting blood onto the Coag-Sense strip).
The PT2 has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an Ethernet port, and an NFC reader that can be used to scan in codes for each new box of strips. My meter has done a few firmware updates since I've gotten it. It uses internal, rechargeable battery - which is charged with a mini-USB connection. The battery power lasts for many weeks. Plus, it's got a nice color display and easy menuing system.
I really like mine.
Alere and Roche also have monitoring services. Roche, for obvoius reasons, uses their CoaguChek meters. They have a meter, called the Vantus, that they send to subscribers. It's pretty limited - it doesn't do prothrombin times (which are pretty irrelevant anyway, because the times are related to the reagent values for the strip being used - so this isn't much information).
But, as Dick suggests, make sure that Medicare will cover the costs of your service - and the amount that you may have to pay for the service.
(FWIW - many of us on this forum own our meters and purchase our supplies. The original PT1 has been selling on eBay, often extremely reasonably. You can probably buy a PT2 online or from a distributor who bundles the meter and strips (one of which used to have a deal where if you buy 3 or 4 boxes of strips, they'll throw in the meter. This is more strips than you need, but you may be able to bring the cost down if you sell an extra box or two) Strips for Coag-Sense range in price (depending on who you buy them from) from about $2 a strip to around $5 a strip.
There are resources here (especially Pellicle) who can help you with self-management.
It may be more affordable to own your meter and self-manage than your deductibles will be if you use a service.
But, as Dick suggests, make sure that Medicare will cover the costs of your service - and the amount that you may have to pay for the service.
(FWIW - many of us on this forum own our meters and purchase our supplies. The original PT1 has been selling on eBay, often extremely reasonably. You can probably buy a PT2 online or from a distributor who bundles the meter and strips (one of which used to have a deal where if you buy 3 or 4 boxes of strips, they'll throw in the meter. This is more strips than you need, but you may be able to bring the cost down if you sell an extra box or two) Strips for Coag-Sense range in price (depending on who you buy them from) from about $2 a strip to around $5 a strip.
There are resources here (especially Pellicle) who can help you with self-management.
It may be more affordable to own your meter and self-manage than your deductibles will be if you use a service.
No. There are quite a few INR monitoring services on the market.......and if you want to have Medicare or private insurance cover part of the cost be sure you get a doctor's prescription and/or approval of your insurer before contracting with the service. Not all providers are approved and/or in the insurer network.
Thank you
Ok. Still waiting for that call . Thank you
Thank you! Still waiting for doc office to return my call.
Thank you
Doctors offices are, not surprisingly, swamped with calls. They'll probably get back to you this month.
Makes sense.
Good morning everyone. I heard from doc office . They use Roche 1800 7800675. I called and was told I would be contacted and they are using Coaguchek Vantus. It sounds like they upgraded w blue tooth and an app. Will be awhile before I get going because of all the paperwork. Anyone using this? I will need to go get an INR soon. I suppose I’ll go to my doctors office. With the corona virus I was trying to avoid exposures to people. His office is on the 7th floor and elevators are usually packed! Let me know if you like the new coaguchek Vantus by Roche. Thanks
The Vantus is the newest model of the Roche meters. I still use CoaguchekXS. I believe that the strips and testing protocols are the same for both models but the Vantas has a number of "bells and whistles" that are not on the XS model.......like Blue Tooth technology. That may be a problem for "old people" like me who have no idea what "blue tooth" is
..........and I'm hoping my current meter lasts a few more years. I believe you will like the convenience of home testing and the learning curve on using the meter is short.I spoke to Roche a few months ago. The only way to get a Vantus is to use their anticoagulation service. They don't sell the meter, if you switch anticoagulation services.
The meter uses the same strips as the CoaguChek XS and the CoaguChek InRange.
Bluetooth won't be much of an advantage to you - you can't do much with it. You'll have to pair it to your phone. From there, it may be able to transfer your test results to the service. It may be able to do firmware updates. It may send a message to the meter about your next scheduled test.
So, other than linking to your phone, you shouldn't have to worry about Bluetooth. Having this link may make it easier to report results - easier for you, easier for Roche, and perhaps a marketing advantage for them (a new meter, automated data transfer, a somewhat 'sexier' meter, and perhaps even a reason to stop using (or not buy) an XS).
The meter uses the same strips as the CoaguChek XS and the CoaguChek InRange.
Bluetooth won't be much of an advantage to you - you can't do much with it. You'll have to pair it to your phone. From there, it may be able to transfer your test results to the service. It may be able to do firmware updates. It may send a message to the meter about your next scheduled test.
So, other than linking to your phone, you shouldn't have to worry about Bluetooth. Having this link may make it easier to report results - easier for you, easier for Roche, and perhaps a marketing advantage for them (a new meter, automated data transfer, a somewhat 'sexier' meter, and perhaps even a reason to stop using (or not buy) an XS).
Thank youThe Vantus is the newest model of the Roche meters. I still use CoaguchekXS. I believe that the strips and testing protocols are the same for both models but the Vantas has a number of "bells and whistles" that are not on the XS model.......like Blue Tooth technology. That may be a problem for "old people" like me who have no idea what "blue tooth" is
I’ll report what I learn. This is the service my doctor gave me to use when I said due to coronavirus, I wanted to start home monitoring. Hope I like it. Thank you everyone for all the advise
Sheenas7 - no matter which device they send you (CoaguChek XS or CoaguChek Vantus, or Coag-Sense), there's a bit of a learning curve for your first few tests. Your service may send someone to train you in the use of the meter.
None of them are difficult to use, and the process is simple and straightforward. When you compare this to the inconvenience of going to a clinic or lab for a blood draw, factor in the recent risk of contracting COVID-19, either on the way into or out of the clinic, or in the clinic itself, the attractiveness of self-testing is obvious.
I think that you'll like the freedom that self-testing gives you.
If you have questions about using your meter, the manufacturers can probably help, the manufacturers have instructional videos that you can use, and you've got a forum full of people willing to help
None of them are difficult to use, and the process is simple and straightforward. When you compare this to the inconvenience of going to a clinic or lab for a blood draw, factor in the recent risk of contracting COVID-19, either on the way into or out of the clinic, or in the clinic itself, the attractiveness of self-testing is obvious.
I think that you'll like the freedom that self-testing gives you.
If you have questions about using your meter, the manufacturers can probably help, the manufacturers have instructional videos that you can use, and you've got a forum full of people willing to help
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Hi Sheenas7! I have had the Coaguchek Vantus for two weeks now. I really like it so far. A nurse delivered it to my house, taught me how to use it and had me test myself. Last week was the first time I tested by myself. I went through a few tests before finally getting a result. I found that if I tilted the Vantus back a little after the test, it got a reading. I also have Cigna. They require at least 2 tests a month in order to keep your meter. I'll be testing every week.
Having to tilt the Vantus after depositing your blood onto the strip just doesn't sound right. I don't know if they caution you about moving the meter while running a test, but this may skew results (especially if they advise not to).
It sounds like you're probably not putting a large enough drop of blood onto the strip to get an accurate result.
Are you using single use lancing devices or lancets and a pen? It is possible that the lancet or device size is intended for blood glucose testing, rather than INR testing. The blood glucose incision is considerably smaller than the one for INR testing. Even if you have the right lancing size, you still have to prepare your finger for incision (running it under warm water, squeezing below the knuckle to get enough blood to pool into the fingertip, and pressing the lancing device firmly enough into the fingertip to make a good incision) so that you'll be able to get a large enough drop of blood for the strip.
Whichever meter you use (and I know that you're using the Vantus), there's a learning curve for using it - and you can learn best when you try it yourself. I'm sure you can find video instructions that may help.
I don't think that tilting the Vantus - or moving it at all, once you've deposited the blood onto the strip - is a good idea. And yes - testing weekly is important.
It sounds like you're probably not putting a large enough drop of blood onto the strip to get an accurate result.
Are you using single use lancing devices or lancets and a pen? It is possible that the lancet or device size is intended for blood glucose testing, rather than INR testing. The blood glucose incision is considerably smaller than the one for INR testing. Even if you have the right lancing size, you still have to prepare your finger for incision (running it under warm water, squeezing below the knuckle to get enough blood to pool into the fingertip, and pressing the lancing device firmly enough into the fingertip to make a good incision) so that you'll be able to get a large enough drop of blood for the strip.
Whichever meter you use (and I know that you're using the Vantus), there's a learning curve for using it - and you can learn best when you try it yourself. I'm sure you can find video instructions that may help.
I don't think that tilting the Vantus - or moving it at all, once you've deposited the blood onto the strip - is a good idea. And yes - testing weekly is important.
It sounds a little odd that you have to tilt the meter back to get a reading. If you are testing on a flat, hard surface with a normal size blood sample you should be getting a reading without tilting the meter. It's worth a call to your provider to make sure the meter is working properly and/or your sample is adequate to fill the strip chamber. I have used the CoaguchekXS for several years and have never experienced a requirement to touch the meter to get an INR reading.
BTW, welcome to the forum
