Test strips

[Marty]

Marty, plan a little vacation to Canada....and bring your prescription.
24 strips are $182 and the US$ exchange will be an added bonus.

I might just try this. My son , his French wife Agnes, and grandson Martin live in Burlington VT 70 miles from the border. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Marty]

I decided to 'try the system' and have put the wheels in motion to get a machine going through QAS and my Medicare Advantage plan - Humana Gold Plus which is an HMO..

I will keep you updated on how everything works out or doesn't work out..!

Janie, Keep us posted on the Medicare process. Also, for some reason I can't believe you are old enough to be in Medicare, but I know time fugits and
anny domini catches up with all of us!

 

[Philip B]

Strips $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Strips $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Interesting discussion and comments...

I don't know what "bargin test strips" are. The only ones I've ever purchased are Hemosense and the only difference I've encountered in Hemosense test strips is the price I've paid. Incidently, my suppliers have all been FDA approved.

Unfortunately, not all insurance companies pick up the tab for test strips. Mine refused because they wanted me to get the test strips locally and the local drug store could not get Iverness Medical to provide the coding that my insurance company required.

Opinions may vary, but it's a sad statement on the state of the medical supply industry in the US when home testers like many of us are required to pay between $13.00 and $15.00 for the same test strip that is available to doctors and coumadin clinics for $5.00. It's the same product in the same package. It's not rocket science to realize there is something wrong with this.

-Philip

 

[olefin]

Alice and I are both on Medicare. We did not want to go through the hassle that Medicare requires and decided to pay cash for strips and not seek reimbursement. However, there is now a way to get Medicare to pay.

So Marty, what is this hassle?

My request was approved with Medicare within one week... no questions asked, other than a short one page form that I faxed to QAS.

INRatio 2 meter and all supplies for weekly testing.

 

[catwoman]

Opinions may vary, but it's a sad statement on the state of the medical supply industry in the US when home testers like many of us are required to pay between $13.00 and $15.00 for the same test strip that is available to doctors and coumadin clinics for $5.00. It's the same product in the same package. It's not rocket science to realize there is something wrong with this.

Unfortunately, the medical supply industry is in business to make a profit.
All businesses are. If they weren't, they'd be non-profits.
I understand why the medical profession pays less than we do for test strips. We may buy only 48 or so a year, but a medical practice is buying many times more than that.
It's the same thing with the newspaper where I work -- or any newspaper for that matter. There's a myriad of advertising rates. A church pays significantly less than a restaurant for the same space. The more frequently you advertise, the cheaper the per-column-inch rate.

It's a shame that paying for medical care isn't like the dentist we went to as a child. My mom says that when she asked Dr. Baker how much a filling or whatever was, he'd ask, "How much do you have in your purse?" knowing she was a stay-at-home mom with 3 kids ages newborn to 5 and did not drive. She paid whatever little was in her purse.

So ... we cut corners where we can, when we can.

Talking about cutting corners, Kroger's has Weight Watchers' frozen items $1.77 each. (They're $1.88 at Wal-Mart.) And I have several $1-off coupons I got at a Weight Watchers meeting.
Guess I'll be running to Kroger's later tonight.
That'll save me some dinero I can use for my testing strips.

 

[olefin]

Albert and I both test weekly. He had his valve replaced and I have a-fib. We are both on Medicare, but we have chosen to pay our own way since 2001.

There are so many hassles with Medicare just getting simple doctor visits paid. Al's already had three strokes. Home testing takes us less than ten minutes a week for both of us. We self test, but do have our internist available for any problems that might arise...like an INR of 9.5.

But, and this is a BIG but, I would consider having Medicare cover the test strips. It would definately depend on their requirements. Do you have information on this?

Kind regards,
Blanche

Strange, I've never had a problem with Medicare??
I also have supplemental policy with Blue Cross.

I choose the doctors of my choice. I never fill out any insurance papers or pay anything. Only show my Medicare card and Blue Cross card.

I only go to specialist... never go to a GP.

Never had a question from Medicare in the 16 years I've been on it.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

there is now a way to get Medicare to pay.

Marty,

Please tell us how to get Medicare to pay for Test Strips.

Can this be done via direct shipment to the patient?

Or does it require sending to a Physician or his/her office?

'AL'

 

[Philip B]

Yes!

Yes!

Yes, profit is the issue here! I believe that's perfectly clear. The same product available at different prices from the same suppliers depending on who you are and how many you buy. The suppliers I've talked to don't mind selling to home testers in bulk, but the manufacturer doesn't want that to happen.

I'm a firm believer in free market and capitalism, but I also understand the concept of overpricing and greed. The situation isn't confined to how much home testers pay for test strips; it's common throughout the health care industry in the US.

-Philip

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I only go to specialist... never go to a GP.

This line captured my attention...

There's got to be an interesting story behind that statement.

Would you like to share it with us?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[olefin]

This line captured my attention...

There's got to be an interesting story behind that statement.

Would you like to share it with us?

'AL Capshaw'

This is no interesting story but...
I read other post of people having to go to only certain doctors, have to get referrals before they can see a specialist, have to have a primary care physician, etc.

I don't do any of the above. I go to the doctors of my choice and it's fully paid for Medicare and my supplemental policy.

Also by using QAS, Medicare pays for home testing, all supplies, including test strips.
I've never had any "hassle" from Medicare. I think Medicare is working great and hope the politicians don't mess with it.

 

[catwoman]

Also by using QAS, Medicare pays for home testing, all supplies, including test strips.
I've never had any "hassle" from Medicare. I think Medicare is working great and hope the politicians don't mess with it.

Dayton:
Are you required to call your INRs to QAS, which then relays them to your doctor, or are you allowed to record the INRs and adjust dosage yourself?

 

[olefin]

Marsha, for Medicare to pay for the test strips, requires me calling the results to QAS. They contact the doctors office.

No, I'm not suppose to making adjustments to the dosage but I've been tweaking the dosage for many years.
I'm due an echo in July, I plan to discuss going completely home testing with my Cardiologist at that time.

 

[Marty]

So Marty, what is this hassle?

Is this a hassle?



Today Brandi at QAS told me:
Alice and I must fill out forms certified by our physicians that I have a mechanical valve and that she has chronic a-fib. Then we must test once a week unless Medicare will grant a waiver and allow less frequent testing. Our physicians must call in the protime results. Then QAS can send 4 week supply of strips.

To me, a few years ago this seemed a hassle I didn't need just then. Involving the government, and then asking our busy physicians to officially report results.

For those like Al who may want more details- call Brandi at QAS. She is very bright and very nice- 1-800-298-4515 # 2823

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I did call Brandi at QAS and was told that if I wanted Medicare to pay for my strips, I would need to test weekly and have a Doctor oversee my dosing.

I'm pretty sure my PCP (who oversees the Big Coumadin Clinic at the Local Heart Center with 1500 anticoagulated patients) would NOT want to monitor my INR and prescribe dosing.

I have NO problem with our Coumadin Clinic. Their CRNP's are well trained, 'Know their Stuff', and their recommendations always correlate with AL Lodwick's guidelines. It just takes a Big Chunk of Time out of an afternoon to go into town, wait to see the CRNP, and drive back home.

I'm thinking of asking my Cardio if he would be willing to oversee my Home Testing / Dosing. He might even be willing to let me Self Dose and just call in my results. That would be nice. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[geebee]

I have a high deductible HSA so I basically pay out of pocket for test strips. I am sorry but $156 for 12 strips is just way out there when I can get a box of 48 for $5/strip or less. I buy from companies that buy directly from Hemosense so I am sure it is legal.

 

[Marty]

Looking for a bargain?

Looking for a bargain?

I have a high deductible HSA so I basically pay out of pocket for test strips. I am sorry but $156 for 12 strips is just way out there when I can get a box of 48 for $5/strip or less. I buy from companies that buy directly from Hemosense so I am sure it is legal.

I usually don't quibble about pricing for medical supplies but QAS did get my attention when I was billed $624 for 24 strips. They would not back down either, when I suggested they may have overbilled me- like double? I went to VISA for a formal protest. Finally Visa got them to bill only $312. This is still a little high so I may try one of those " bargain" companies.

 

[Blanche]

Olefin

Olefin

Marty has summed up most of my concerns with Medicare's requirements for home testing.

I also have alot of "What do you do when..." concerns. For example, when Al's INR was 9.5 plus, his doctor wanted him to do several tests. I burned through quite a few test strips in a few days. At 4 strips per month, we might have been in deep dodo. I know, we could have run back and forth to the doctors office for a week. That would just put too much stress on both of us.

I run my house like a business. One of my biggest priorities is to reduce stress in every respect. Having the home monitor (and ample supplies) does just that.

Regards,
Blanche

 

[olefin]

Today Brandi at QAS told me:
Alice and I must fill out forms certified by our physicians that I have a mechanical valve and that she has chronic a-fib. Then we must test once a week unless Medicare will grant a waiver and allow less frequent testing. Our physicians must call in the protime results. Then QAS can send 4 week supply of strips.

To me, a few years ago this seemed a hassle I didn't need just then. Involving the government, and then asking our busy physicians to officially report results.

I partial filled out my Cardiologist form. On it was a place to check for "Weekly testing" or "Other" I checked "Weekly". About all the doctor had to do was check "Mechanical Heart Valve" and sign it.

Both the doctors forum and mine were very simple, I filled them both out on the computer in a few minutes.

I saw no hassle in filling out the simple short forums. Medicare must have rules, no different than other government departments.

I don't understand your statement:

Our physicians must call in the protime results. Then QAS can send 4 week supply of strips.

After I run my INR test, I call the results to QAS, then they forward the results to my Cardiologist office.

QAS sent me 12 test strips with the meter. They are suppose to keep me supplied with test strips by the amount of test I run. I'm approved to test weekly but I can test monthly if I desire. Medicare pays on the amount of INR results I call to QAS.

 

[olefin]

Blanche, I'm not sure about testing more than once a week.
I too, have had to do that but the occasions have been rare. But so you test more than once a week, then maybe after the INR gets in control you switch to testing every other week until you make up for the extra strips you used?

If my INR gets up to 6 or above, my cardiologist will tell me to skip warfarin for couple days and start back at reduced dosage and retest in a week or a month. That has always bothered me and but with home testing I'll be checking every week unless I'm staying in control then I may not check but ever two weeks.

 

[Marty]

I partial filled out my Cardiologist form. On it was a place to check for "Weekly testing" or "Other" I checked "Weekly". About all the doctor had to do was check "Mechanical Heart Valve" and sign it.

Both the doctors forum and mine were very simple, I filled them both out on the computer in a few minutes.

I saw no hassle in filling out the simple short forums. Medicare must have rules, no different than other government departments.

I don't understand your statement:


After I run my INR test, I call the results to QAS, then they forward the results to my Cardiologist office.

QAS sent me 12 test strips with the meter. They are suppose to keep me supplied with test strips by the amount of test I run. I'm approved to test weekly but I can test monthly if I desire. Medicare pays on the amount of INR results I call to QAS.[/QUOTE

Dayton, Darned if you don't make it sound easy. I think we will work with Brandi, notify our doctors ,and give it a try. Thanks Marty