[Diabetes-Talk] Medicare claims diabetics only need to test 3 times a day

[Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter]

This past week, I tried to place an order for my Prodigy test strips from
the pharmacy. My actual prescription is for testing 8 times a day. When I
went to pick them up, I was told that Medicare would not pay for them,
because Medicare apparently says a type 1 only needs to test 3 times a day.
I was astonished. This has never happened. It's Ludacris to claim a diabetic
only needs to test 3 times a day. Testing is the key to diabetes management
for both type 1s and 2s. Three times a day is not at all acceptable,
especially for a type 1. I have always tested about 6 to 8 times a day.
Three also does not give leniency for errors and mistakes when testing. This
is just absurd. Has anyone else been told this? I'm waiting for Dexcom G6 to
be approved. My Medicare was arbitrarily terminated last year. No one at
social security could explain why. One rep I spoke with even was so bold as
to say it should have never happened to me, and social security was not
working to reinstate it fast enough. Anyway, I was obviously not able to
reorder Dexcom supplies for the past 4 months. Now, my Medicare advantage
plan through United Healthcare has been reinstated, and I'm also under my
husband's insurance now too. I wanted to upgrade finally to G6 but it's
taking forever. Anyway, sorry, here's my rant today. I just ordered Prodigy
strips through Amazon, and it's much cheaper anyway.

Bridgit