Might finally be able to get a home tester...

[halleyg]

After getting nowhere with two insurance agencies as far as coverage, I decided to ask my brother, who is an orthopedic surgeon, if he could get a machine for me wholesale. He contacted his "guy" who said he could get one for $750, plus two boxes of the test strips (48 in each), each box costing $250. To me that sounds like a good price for the machine, as the lowest price I've been quoted so far was over $1,000. I don't know anything about the test strips, though, was wondering if that is a good price. Also, he hasn't found out yet which machine it is, Coaguchek or INRatio, I am waiting to hear back from him b/c he is waiting for a fax from the guy.
I really want my own machine, but then I was just looking at my bill from the cardiologists office, and it costs less than $5.00 each time I go get my finger stuck... it will take a long time for that to equal what I would pay for a machine. But, I really would like to have one for traveling, and our insurance is changing soon, so who knows how much I'll be paying per visit in the future.

 

[catwoman]

Halley:

Sounds good.

If you tested every week, that could be a minimum of $260 a year, barring any need for more frequent testing due to starting/stopping any additional meds or a snafu with a strip. It'd be several years before you'd come out ahead, even then you're still out $ for the testing supplies. It's the convenience factor that you can't measure.

2 boxes of 48 strips each is far too much. They'll expire before you can use them all. (Perhaps your brother knows a doctor who would want to purchase the extra box?)
When I had my ProTime 3, I tried to use a cuvette that had expired the day before and my machine refused to accept it.
I have a box of 48 strips for my INRatio. It expires 10/31/09. I'm going to plan to have a couple left to see if I encounter the same situation with out-of-date strips.

 

[Blanche]

Three Cheers for You!!!

Three Cheers for You!!!

Will your cardiologist continue to manage your anticoagulation? Plesase don't forget that you need a doctor to write your Coumadin/Warfarin prescriptions.

Blanche

 

[Eva]

Halley,

In my case, I do not pay anything when I have it done at my cardio's office...it is a matter of convenience, as Marsha, especially if you like to travel and you do not want to waste your time looking for a lab to have the test done.

I ended up paying $300 out of pocket and I only received 24 strips and I already wasted three this morning trying to get it right.

 

[Jkm7]

Did I read correctly you have gone three years with no INR testing, Mark? Do you take your coumadin? How does your cardio prescribe dose? I must not be understanding correctly as I can't imagine a cardio giving you an Rx if he knows you aren't testing.

 

[halleyg]

Thanks, y'all, I'm happy to have the input. I definitely want to be aware of things like strips expiring or not working right, that could waste a lot of money!

Blanche, I would still get the scrip from my cardio, and I would have to call in my numbers to the nurse. She is all for me home testing.

 

[catwoman]

Thanks, y'all, I'm happy to have the input. I definitely want to be aware of things like strips expiring or not working right, that could waste a lot of money!

Blanche, I would still get the scrip from my cardio, and I would have to call in my numbers to the nurse. She is all for me home testing.

Halley:

I got my tester 5 months post-op, so I didn't invest a lot of time trotting to/from my PCP's office for INRs.
I am so accustomed to home-testing that if my INRatio were taken away from me, it would be like having my car in the shop permanently, or not being able to use my cell phone/computer/microwave oven/dishwasher/washing machine/other convenience machines all rolled into one.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

When I had my ProTime 3, I tried to use a cuvette that had expired the day before and my machine refused to accept it.
I have a box of 48 strips for my INRatio. It expires 10/31/09. I'm going to plan to have a couple left to see if I encounter the same situation with out-of-date strips.

Marsha - have you tried backdating your machine?

And Clicker Mark if anybody has extra cuvettes for a ProTime machine that they want to sell, you'd also have to buy the chip if those machines use chips. I know the CoaguChek does.

 

[catwoman]

Marsha - have you tried backdating your machine?

Janie:

Nope. Hadn't even thought of it. Thanks for planting the suggestion.

 

[Jkm7]

But if it is outdated, is it safe and accurate for use?

 

[ShezaGirlie]

But if it is outdated, is it safe and accurate for use?

Uh, and I drive the speed limit all the time too..

 

[CThrock]

Halley,
Hope you get it! You will love it, I love mine it so easy and NO MORE CLINICS to go too. Enjoy!

 

[Eva]

Crystal, remind me ... which machine did you buy? I got my Co-agucheck and I wasted three strips despite I had lots of blood. I hope I won't give up quickly on it.

 

[COLLEEN S]

Halley,
It costs me $25 each time I go to the coumadin clinic (that is run by my cardio) and I go 3-4 times a month. Im glad you are trying to get a home tester. I think I am going to look for a new cardio soon.