Glucose test strips are an accurate and fast way to check your blood sugar on the go. Whether you’re watching your blood sugar temporarily or as a long-term part of your diabetes care plan, glucose test strips are your front line of information. This guide provides basic answers to the most commonly asked questions about glucose test strips.
Do you need a prescription for glucose test strips
The answer to this question is a little complicated. The short version is no, you don’t need a prescription for glucose test strips. The strips themselves aren’t a controlled substance.
However, some insurance policies will cover glucose test strips as part of your necessary medical equipment. The policy changes from plan to plan, but some insurance companies will cover part or all of the cost. If you want to have your insurance company foot some of the bill, then you will have to get a prescription for them. This is a very normal part of the process, and your doctor’s office should have no problem providing you with a prescription if you need one.
Even if your insurance might cover part of the cost of your test strips, it makes sense to shop around. Sometimes you can pay out of pocket online for less than your co-pay through a pharmacy. Comparison shopping will help you decide if it makes sense to seek out a prescription for your glucose test strips or not.
How many glucose test strips do you need a day
There isn’t one solid answer to this question. On average, people with diabetes test their blood sugar at four regular intervals through the day. However, this number can easily go much higher. If you feel “off” or suddenly ill, the first thing you should do is test your blood sugar. For diabetics who are trying to establish regular blood sugar levels or find patterns, testing more times per day could help with that. Your doctor may have a specific number of times they want you to check.
For well-controlled diabetes, estimate a need for five test strips per day. The days that you only need your regular checks will give you a small surplus for days when you need to check more frequently. If your diabetes is not well-controlled, only your doctor will have an idea of how much you could need.
How to pay for test strips and how many you need are the most common concerns of people new to checking their blood sugar. Glucose test strips are a recurring medical expense that some insurance plans will cover. Once your diabetes is under control, you can count on as few as four or five strips per day. At times, however, you could need more.