ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
My experience with Protime was that my numbers were usually +/- 0.5 of my (second) Coumadin Clinic's Coaguchek machine which was always within 0.1 of occasional Lab draws. They used an EARLY model Coaguchek.
If I remember right, my Protime number wasn't always on the same side of the Coaguchek number which effectively doubled the variation. NOT a comfortable position when it comes to then trying to figure how to change doses!
My ORIGINAL Coumadin Clinic (associated with The Heart Center) used a newer generation Coaguchek which on two different occasions had MUCH higher readings (which proved to be INACCURATE) than my Protime.
After switching to the Hospital Coumadin Clinic, I learned that the Heart Center's Coumadin Clinic found their second generation Coaguchek machine had 'correlation' problems and they switched to a different manufacturer (I don't remember the name).
At one time, I had written down the model numbers for each Coaguchek model but do not know where I put them
I no longer use home testing because my BCBS insurance requires that all DME (durable medical equipment), which includes test strips, go through the Corporate HQ which is in another state.
Bottom Line: I will have to go through the qualification process all over again and I've just not been motivated to climb that hill (yet). FWIW, all BCBS policy holders in ALA can thank me for getting BCBS of ALA to cover home testing. It only took a year.
IF / WHEN I muster the courage to fight the insurance company (again), I suspect I will go for either the Coaguchek or the newer / smaller INRatio machine, assuming I can then find an approved supplier.
Fortunately, Coaguchek is carried by one of the approved suppliers in the corporate home state. What a mess. I think I'll go back to bed and forget it all for awhile. It's cheaper to pay the co-pay for the finger stick at the Coumadin Clinic and it gives me an excuse to go into town every once in a while...
'AL'
If I remember right, my Protime number wasn't always on the same side of the Coaguchek number which effectively doubled the variation. NOT a comfortable position when it comes to then trying to figure how to change doses!
My ORIGINAL Coumadin Clinic (associated with The Heart Center) used a newer generation Coaguchek which on two different occasions had MUCH higher readings (which proved to be INACCURATE) than my Protime.
After switching to the Hospital Coumadin Clinic, I learned that the Heart Center's Coumadin Clinic found their second generation Coaguchek machine had 'correlation' problems and they switched to a different manufacturer (I don't remember the name).
At one time, I had written down the model numbers for each Coaguchek model but do not know where I put them
I no longer use home testing because my BCBS insurance requires that all DME (durable medical equipment), which includes test strips, go through the Corporate HQ which is in another state.
Bottom Line: I will have to go through the qualification process all over again and I've just not been motivated to climb that hill (yet). FWIW, all BCBS policy holders in ALA can thank me for getting BCBS of ALA to cover home testing.
It only took a year. IF / WHEN I muster the courage to fight the insurance company (again), I suspect I will go for either the Coaguchek or the newer / smaller INRatio machine, assuming I can then find an approved supplier.
Fortunately, Coaguchek is carried by one of the approved suppliers in the corporate home state. What a mess. I think I'll go back to bed and forget it all for awhile. It's cheaper to pay the co-pay for the finger stick at the Coumadin Clinic and it gives me an excuse to go into town every once in a while...
'AL'
