Home testing

[krosson62]

Where can I buy a home testing machine,and supplies? Currently I'm using MDINR, set up through my cardiologist. Problem with them is they don't always report the results to my doc as they should and they try to force me to test every week no matter what the doctor says their calls are relentless. I have bcbs insurance but still have to pay MDINR at least $55 month if not more. I just want out from under their control.

 

[Chuck C]

Hi Krosson62.
I did not go through my insurance in obtaining my Coaguchek xs. I bought it used on Ebay for about $230. It has proven to be highly accurate, when comparing against results from the lab. I also do not get my test strips through insurance and buy them through Ebay. They end up costing about $ 6 each.

For me, I prefer not to have an insurance company dictate how I test and use their surrogate Coumadin Clinic to do the same. When I found out the Coumadin Clinic was charging me $505 every time that I gave them my self testing results, I cut them off. They threatened that unless I continued to report results to them that they would report me to my insurance company and that I would then have to return my self test device to them. That was funny. I told them that I own it and the insurance company can't take it away from me no matter what they tell them. The small amount that I pay is well worth this autonomy.

You would need to check Ebay from time to time. I just did a check and came up with this. However, this is not the seller that I purchased from, so you would need to do your own due diligence on their reputation, although this sounds like it may be a very good deal at $158:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2245869191...8TQq%2F0b6tr4V9AX2mD|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524
From the same seller, here is an auction that ends in about 12 hours that is only at $ 15

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224629657185?autorefresh=true

 

[Keithl]

In the US it is hard to get a NEW machine without a doctors script. If you have a good relationship with your DR or Cardio they might write for you a script for a new machine, otherwise Ebay is only way.

There are other services out there as well, but they all have a cost.

I personally like the CoagSense system, but they are rare on EBay. I bought mine new 2.5 years ago.

https://coag-sense.com/

 

[tom in MO]

I got my supplies and machine through insurance with the help of my cardio's nurse. She told me when I could get one after surgery, worked with my insurance company and told me what I needed to do. For me, from two different providers, same insurance, the meter and stick-pen were free, but I pay for the supplies, test strips and needles.

 

[sharky7]

In the US it is hard to get a NEW machine without a doctors script. If you have a good relationship with your DR or Cardio they might write for you a script for a new machine, otherwise Ebay is only way.

There are other services out there as well, but they all have a cost.

I personally like the CoagSense system, but they are rare on EBay. I bought mine new 2.5 years ago.

https://coag-sense.com/

not sure what you mean, but fact is that it is impossible to get a new machine without a script from a doctor, insurance wont cover it unless you got to doctor first, heart doctor i would think. I got mine, $$$$ asnt a problem i am doing not so bad, so i dug into the wallet and spent the hard earned cash, and yes i used FLEABAY!
not bad, using it now, and it is awesome. cannot say if i would trust a used one, but if i had no other choice, better a used one then to not have a machine at all, i think! and if you research who your buying it from first, you should have no problem, i think! there are many out there use a preowned machine! And have had no problems using it, or it working the way that it should! and since there are many variables to consider when using a machine, i would try to get it calibrated, or at least compare it to tests done at labs, and see if the numbers are close, like within INR 0.7 or so, than you should be good to go! And i am at the point where I think that taking WARFARIN is better then not taking it as in, there is a better chance of having blood clots if we do not take Warfarin!
Get a new or preowned is a matter of having or not having the $$$$, there are a few of us out there that have a problem and are not healthy and need some meds to try and stay among the living/healthy! but flat out cannot afford the MEDS, and or insurance of any type!
So bottom line here is flat out, we who have the means are truly blessed in being able to have a SAINT JUDE MITRAL VALVE, and the WARFARIN, and the machine to self test, and I for one. Say thank you everyday for this blessing!
[QUESTION for everyone, would it be illegal to share the use of a MACHINE that you bought, and to check someone else's INR for them, if you do it for free? perhaps if they pay for the cost of the test strip they use? I dont think it would be illegal, but i do not really know!]

 

[Chuck C]

but if i had no other choice, better a used one then to not have a machine at all

This is absolutely correct. Not everyone has a Cadillac insurance policy which covers everything and not all insurance companies and doctors are well versed at providing self check devices and doing so in a way that gives you the freedom to test as you would like. I am very happy with my used Coaguchek xs, which I picked up for $230. It appeared to be used only a few times from what I can tell and gives me extremely accurate results, as verified against lab results. It is simple to test against the lab results from time to time, which is not a bad policy even if you buy a new device.

 

[user 15848]

In the US it is hard to get a NEW machine without a doctors script. If you have a good relationship with your DR or Cardio they might write for you a script for a new machine, otherwise Ebay is only way.

No hard at all, www.eBay.com, nothing to worry about,
and if something by any chance is wrong, you are covered by eBay
your $$ back

 

[Keithl]

not sure what you mean, but fact is that it is impossible to get a new machine without a script from a doctor, insurance wont cover it unless you got to doctor first, heart doctor i would think. I got mine, $$$$ asnt a problem i am doing not so bad, so i dug into the wallet and spent the hard earned cash, and yes i used FLEABAY!
not bad, using it now, and it is awesome. cannot say if i would trust a used one, but if i had no other choice, better a used one then to not have a machine at all, i think! and if you research who your buying it from first, you should have no problem,

That is what I meant. No one will sell a new machine without a script. Cardiologists around here will not write a script they want you to use a service. I eventually got a new machine and do not use a service, I self monitor and my primary care DR writes my Warfarin scripts. I save money this way I just pay for supplies. Many services jack up the supply costs to cover the service or charge a fee on top of that. Some cardiologists charge a INR fee to monitor what the service call sin.

 

[Keithl]

No hard at all, www.eBay.com, nothing to worry about,
and if something by any chance is wrong, you are covered by eBay
your $$ back

Not new, used. and sure they likely work and are fine, but I wanted a new machine.

 

[pellicle]

Not new, used. and sure they likely work and are fine, but I wanted a new machine.

well you can also buy them new on ebay ...

 

[sharky7]

That is what I meant. No one will sell a new machine without a script. Cardiologists around here will not write a script they want you to use a service. I eventually got a new machine and do not use a service, I self monitor and my primary care DR writes my Warfarin scripts. I save money this way I just pay for supplies. Many services jack up the supply costs to cover the service or charge a fee on top of that. Some cardiologists charge a INR fee to monitor what the service call sin.

awesome, WOW, Ebay has them, and they never to my knowledge even ask for a script, depends perhaps where you are, some locations perhaps dont allow that, and those test strips same same, got em on Ebay, a bit pricy but I think well worth it. NEW, mine cost $500USD, and i am down here in South Florida. and until recently I had no idea they required anything, well unless you tried to go thru insurance, and like some here said, after a few years of testing, and if you have a doctor backing you up, you should be fine even if you choose not to use a LAB at all, i am with you all, the charges are way to high, making money is one thing, but that i think is gauging us all out here. I would never even try to deny a fair return on money invested, but this is way beyond that, and i would venture most here on this forum would agree with me! Right Chuck?

 

[sharky7]

Hi Krosson62.
I did not go through my insurance in obtaining my Coaguchek xs. I bought it used on Ebay for about $230. It has proven to be highly accurate, when comparing against results from the lab. I also do not get my test strips through insurance and buy them through Ebay. They end up costing about $ 6 each.

For me, I prefer not to have an insurance company dictate how I test and use their surrogate Coumadin Clinic to do the same. When I found out the Coumadin Clinic was charging me $505 every time that I gave them my self testing results, I cut them off. They threatened that unless I continued to report results to them that they would report me to my insurance company and that I would then have to return my self test device to them. That was funny. I told them that I own it and the insurance company can't take it away from me no matter what they tell them. The small amount that I pay is well worth this autonomy.

You would need to check Ebay from time to time. I just did a check and came up with this. However, this is not the seller that I purchased from, so you would need to do your own due diligence on their reputation, although this sounds like it may be a very good deal at $158:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2245869191...8TQq%2F0b6tr4V9AX2mD|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524
From the same seller, here is an auction that ends in about 12 hours that is only at $ 15

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224629657185?autorefresh=true

AND HERE is one on EBAY for a tad under $400, and it is NEW machine, so they claim, but like ya said, its ebay with protection against getting scammed.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3537027874...hDymJ7Li%2B%2F1wydjZ|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675

 

[sharky7]

well you can also buy them new on ebay ...

here is a new one for the best price I have seen so far, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3537027874...hDymJ7Li%2B%2F1wydjZ|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675

 

[Chuck C]

I just bought one of the used $ 49 Coaguchek xs from the Ebay seller who is selling a bunch of them. As they represented, it is missing the battery cover on the back and the little blue cover in the front. It visually appears to be in very good condition- does not even look used. It arrived just two days after I ordered it. I'm going to keep it as a back up to my other Coaguchek and will eventually test it for accuracy and let you guys know.

 

[sharky7]

For sure, please let us know. I was also thinking of buying a backup. I mean if i can get it for like $40-50 or so, why not. Or once I make sure it is working at 100%, i could use the USED one first, and leave the NEW one as a backup, what ya think? [chuck, now i am starting to feel bad here I am talking about buying a second, when there are many out here that does not even have one, yet! oh oh!] oh ya CHUCK, i just bought the 2X24=48 test strip/s for $202usd, that includes taxes! shipping/FREE! from OHIO.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203636229332not sure if that will work, if i bought the only one they had, or what, but.... LOL
{BUT....those are good till at least NOV/2022, so I did good, i think?}

 

[Chuck C]

i just bought the 2X24=48 test strip/s for $202usd, that includes taxes! shipping/FREE! from OHIO.

That's a good price for test strips. I just paid about $130 for 24 test strips, which came to about $140 with tax. So, you got a better deal than I did.

 

[Cactus52]

I got mine on eBay and the strips as well. It has been very accurate. I check the accuracy with my INR checks with the cardiologist.

 

[tom in MO]

I just bought one of the used $ 49 Coaguchek xs from the Ebay seller who is selling a bunch of them. As they represented, it is missing the battery cover on the back and the little blue cover in the front. It visually appears to be in very good condition- does not even look used. It arrived just two days after I ordered it. I'm going to keep it as a back up to my other Coaguchek and will eventually test it for accuracy and let you guys know.


View attachment 888151

If it's missing pieces and parts, it's certainly not "in very good condition- does not even look used" Looks used and tired to me. I wouldn't bet my life on it...

There is no US FDA requirement to have a prescription for INR home testing meter and supplies. You cannot hurt yourself with the meter. The requirement in the US for a prescription is a monopolistic cabal between insurance companies. doctors and Roche. I contacted all three groups when I got angry at the situation. That's when I found out I owned the meter given to me by the insurance company's supplier. It was free to me, I just was paying for supplies. My cardio's nurse told me that and I verified it with the supplier of the strips.

 

[sharky7]

If it's missing pieces and parts, it's certainly not "in very good condition- does not even look used" Looks used and tired to me. I wouldn't bet my life on it...

There is no US FDA requirement to have a prescription for INR home testing meter and supplies. You cannot hurt yourself with the meter. The requirement in the US for a prescription is a monopolistic cabal between insurance companies. doctors and Roche. I contacted all three groups when I got angry at the situation. That's when I found out I owned the meter given to me by the insurance company's supplier. It was free to me, I just was paying for supplies. My cardio's nurse told me that and I verified it with the supplier of the strips.

And if ya dont mind me asking, with the way that you get those test strips, how much are they. like i have said, an order for 2X24=48 strips, was for what i bought online ebay was total that also included taxes was $202USD, i been told this is a good price, my NEW machine run me just over $500USD. and those strips are coming down to me from OHIO somewhere.
And also if ya dont mind, i dont quite understand what ya meant when you said you found out where the machine you bought came from........not sure what point you were making. perhaps something about you not realizing that you out and out owned the machine, and it was a gift to you from the "insurance company provider", and then in turn you were the NEW owner!
To that point, i had heard posts from some others that when they chose to do the home testing, and not use a Lab, the machine that they had, had to be returned, not sure right now of the details on those!

 

[sharky7]

Chuck:
general Question for you, and a slight change of topic, here and on this forum, how does one become a, Well Known Member"? i for some reason are a "active member", whatever that is.....LOL [OR if anyone else knows, that is if we do not.]