Recalled strips??

[Dee]

Does anybody know when Coagucheck will have new strips for our home testing machines??? It's really disappointing to have an expensive machine that we can't even use and we have to pay to go to the lab to have a blood draw!!

Any info would be greatly apprceciated!

Thanks,
DeeDee

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey DeeDee,
The last time I talked to Roche they told me that it might be in the 1st quarter of 2007 and that is not for sure. I went ahead and got an INRatio because I think they will not have them available until they get approval of their new XS machine.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Rumor has it.... April on the strips Dee. Attempted to get a INratio pushed through on my INS. Didn't fly. In the meantime I have had time to access the situation. Leaning towards waiting for the new XS to come out. Don't think it will be long. They are selling the old S units on Ebay now. Have become uncomfortable with the wide range of variables I have been reading about with the INratio. .6-.9. Too large of a spread for me to feel assured. My Coaguchek has never been off more than .3. and is usually .1-.2. of the lab. Something to be said about that in my opinion! And it is just a opinion. Don't shoot me please!

Saga continues.........

PS. Dave...I do feel the XS will come out before the recalled strips. Always have. It's all about marketing my friend! Out with the old...in with the new!

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Gina,
Here are my results from yesterday.
Lab 3.2
CoaguChek 3.0
INRatio 3.2

PS, Don't tell anyone I am still using my strips.

 

[Dee]

Thanks for the replies! How much do these new machines cost? It just makes me so mad that they would play these games with us. My insurance paid for mine the first time, I doubt they'll do it again!!

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. I felt so much more comfortable having my own machine, knowing I could test anytime I felt, and not having to go to the lab everytime. I'm really starting to re-think this whole coumadin thing. I just wish there was a better answer, either for the valve or for the blood thinners. Can you tell I'm frustrated? haha

Thanks again!!!

 

[Karlynn]

Thanks for the replies! How much do these new machines cost? It just makes me so mad that they would play these games with us. My insurance paid for mine the first time, I doubt they'll do it again!!

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. I felt so much more comfortable having my own machine, knowing I could test anytime I felt, and not having to go to the lab everytime. I'm really starting to re-think this whole coumadin thing. I just wish there was a better answer, either for the valve or for the blood thinners. Can you tell I'm frustrated? haha

Thanks again!!!

Your insurance company should be willing to pay for a new machine if they paid for your last one. (How long have you had it?) They've already established that you are in need. Just because your machine is now obsolete and useless due to lack of strips doesn't mean you don't have a need any more. It would be the same as denying a diabetic a new glucose monitor. I'm on my 2nd machine (1st time ProTime, now INRatio). I have a different insurance co. for the 2nd one, but the fact that I was already home testing was the reason a new machine cleared so quickly (once I got someone to take a look at my petition.)

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Right on Dave! That would be accurate enough to make me happy I hope no offense was taken with my comment. Would .6 - .9 dif between a home unit and a lab be concerning? It would to me! So happy yours is in check. Then again..it can always be the lab. My comparsion data was taken from members using the INRatio and differing labs.

As far as home testing. Have been doing so now for 7 years without a hint of reimbursement. My BSBC PPO did not approve my new unit based on my last three INR's. They were not in range. That is the "loop hole" out. Tired of messing around with it. I need it. Lifelong...just like any other mechanical valver. The process it just pitiful. Plan to pay cash as soon as I can find out who is selling the XS in the US as it looks like it has been approved for home testers.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Gina,
No offense taken.
This is the story of my life, I had been waiting for the XS to get approved and after talking to Roche I decided to go with the INRatio now the XS is going to be out. But I do like the INRatio so far.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I truly wish everyone the best of luck figuring all of this stuff out. It's so frustrating! Sounds like you have a good unit Dave. I would be very happy with the test comparsions between the three. Hold on to both units. Guess you will never know which one will be off the market!

It does not look like Roche has updated their web page as of yet. Sale info, etc. Wonder what the XS will retail for? I think those over the pond can get them much cheaper. Sad part about all of this...have not been testing like I should. Have such a difficult time with lab draws.

PS.......best I can tell, retail.
COAGUCHEK XS KIT (GBP£736.06) (Euro€1138.44) GBP£626.43 Euro€968.88 USD$1275.45 AUD$1603.79

 

[Karlynn]

As most probably know that read the anti-coag forum. I tend to be more suspect of a lab # than a machine # if there is a wide variation. The only real way of knowing if you can trust lab #'s is by comparison to your home machine and having them be fairly close most of the time (as you did Gina). There are a lot of people that come on with wacky #'s who wait much longer to get their INR than they should wait. This is when I question how long the tube of blood sits around etc. I always got my # within a few hours of testing, so I trusted my lab.

I don't think the INRatio deserves quite the skepticism on wide variations. Most people that have them do experience some variance, but a .9 would make me more skeptical of either lab issues, or incorrect collection of the drop of blood (alcohol, milking the finger etc.). A .5 variance between 2 lab tests is considered acceptable.

The INRatio is a different machine than either the Coagucheck or the ProTime. From what I've seen, the Coagucheck XS is almost a twin of the INRatio. So we don't have people here using them yet to see if they are going to get any less of a variance in the lab # as the INRatio. I think the comfort is that people know Coagucheck and liked their old machines, so if you've had success with a Ford, you'll buy another Ford. Which is a perfectly reasonable thought process. Just wanted to shed a little light.

I always try to keep my INR in the upper end of my range anyway. So variance doesn't really bother me. Anything 3.0 - 4.0 is fine with me and my target range of 2.5-3.5

 

[catwoman]

PS.......best I can tell, retail.
COAGUCHEK XS KIT (GBP£736.06) (Euro?1138.44) GBP£626.43 Euro?968.88 USD$1275.45 AUD$1603.79

Gina:

$1275.45 US???? I'll bet that price is for professionals only. Prices are deeply discounted for professionals; we pay up to $1,000 more.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

My insurance company paid about $2,300-$2,400 for my ProTime 3 in November 2003. Perhaps if I had paid for it myself, it might have been cheaper. My coverage with UHC at that time was 100% for DME.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Marsha..no I beleive that to be the price. When I was researching the INRatio...they were going to charge my Ins double the retail cost. Scary part is...they usually pay it! So roughly 1200 retail, 2400 for the ins! In some cases I have heard 4000 to the ins! Hope I am correct on the retail of the XS. Located pricing on a UK site. That may be the key. Purchase in the UK!

Makes one wonder why they give patients a hard time when submitting a claim. If usual reductions are used (gen med claim). Maybe they would not be so hard pressed to deny someone in obvious need.

Ps.......All valid points Karlynn. I think there may be one UK member with an XS. Maybe they would like to jump in with lab comparsions!

 

[tommy]

Sorry, but I get more sarcastic with time......................

When the resolution is communicated in terms of a fiscal period, I get suspicious that the accountants and lawyers are running this operation, not the doctors.

So if Roche decides to discontinue support of my machine, will I get a letter with the words "end of life"?

I'm getting to know my phlebotomist.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I agree...it's all about the "Benjamins" Tommy!