Diabetes test strip woes?

I've been into several drug stores in the city near us. I wanted to get my written by a doctor prescription for a brand of diabetic test strips and lancets filled. First place said they don't have the license that allows them to fill this prescription.

Why do test strips need a certain license? Don't you think any pharmacist can read the brand name, put same into a bag for the custumer?

Second place said that I haven't got the right insurance. Huh? I have BC/BS thru the state of Mich, and medicaid. I can't get test strips with that? He also said it was something about needing to hand write, not do it on the computer.

Third place said no one could fill this. BC/BS apparently doesn't want to pay for blood sugar test strips. And, the people who make these strips want a LOT of money to buy these things over the counter.

Finally,b went to a medical supply company. I had gotten some medical supplies there not too long ago. (BRB)

In order to get test strips & lancettes thru them, they had to give me a new glucometer. Never mind the fact that the diabetes educator gave me a glucometer just yesterday. So, now I have two. They gave me a box of lancettes, and some strips. Now, when I get low, I HAVE to order more from the 800 number in the pamphlet that came in the box.

Have any of you had any of these problems? I think I had more trouble getting these strips than I would have had trying to get a class 1 narcotic, for heaven's sake!!

Who woulda thunk you can't buy test strips by prescrip when you have BC/BS and medicaid?

They sure have you, coming & going. And now, apparently, I have to remember to reorder every 3 months.

medicaid should pick up the extra cost after bc/bs . My daughter gets her through medicaid with no problem. do you have a cvs pharmacy near you, if so they should be able to fill your script...good luck!!!!! having diabetes is bad enough but now having to worry where to get your supplies is awful!!!
the test strips averages out to about 1.00 a strip...very expensive!!!!

I buy test strips regularly, but I have no idea whether they are covered by insurance. I doubt it, but that may be why they were asking for a prescription, so that insurance would cover it. If you are on Medicare, I'd order fromone of those outfits that just delivers the stuff to your door.

This should not be a problem with your insurance. Ask your doctor for suggestions on getting the strips filled. Another good location is to purchase on e-bay. Ask for a rec. and your insurance should honor the purchase.

What brand are you getting? Are you getting the OneTouch strips? That's the only brand BC/BS would cover for me when I had their insurance. If you need to switch over to them, you can often get a good coupon towards their meter. I like OneTouch...no problems with it. You may need to submit the prescription to the mail-order pharmacy BC/BS uses, which will take a couple of weeks to fill, so you might have to buy a box over the counter to get you through...