Are there any options for me to get a new free glucometer without a doctors prescription?

Question

Several years ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. At the time I had insurance and was under a doctors care. I also had a glucometer to occasionally monitor at home. Over the last year and a half my meter has died, my employer has reduced all of us to part time and cut our insurance. I am now on public assistance for food, but I am not eligible for medicaid because I am to young, have no children and I'm not pregnant or disabled. I barely make rent and utilities. I haven't been able to afford to go to a doctor in about a year. I've had a few of the symptoms that my doctor had told me to watch out for, but no way to monitor my levels. We don't have free clinics here (the nearest is about 200 miles away) and even the lower cost clinic 20 miles away is still too pricey for me.
Looking at the costs for meters and testing supplies is depressing.
Everything I've seen you have to have a prescription to get a free or discounted meter, and since I can't really afford to go to the doctor and don't know if I've even advanced to full on diabetic yet, I don't know if I can even get a prescription for one.
Is there a way to get free meters and supplies without a doctors prescription? I'm not looking for medications, I just need the testing supplies.

Answer 1

I get testing supplies from EBay vendors. The meters are cheap. The strips aren't -- about fifty cents per strip.



The problem, though, is what happens if it turns out your diabetes is not under control. Without health coverage, you will find it difficult to get prescription medications. (I can keep mine under control with diet and exercise).

Answer 2

Contact the meter manufacturer of the meter you already own. Many of them will provide free batteries. I got free batteries for both my meters while I was still pre-diabetic. Then do some internet searching for test strips for your meter. Since you are pre-diabetic, you typically want the smallest package be it 25 or 50 test strips. I found buying them from Amazon.com the best choice for my meter.



The Walgreens meter is only about $15. Their test strips are also less costly than many others, but since there are a couple of models, be sure to ask how much for the packages for your model. Always make sure that you have the right test strips for YOUR meter before you leave the store.



As far as completely free test strips, sorry, but the only groups I've seen that sponsor this so far are for those with Type 1 and insulin dependent Type 2. There already isn't enough money to go around for these 2 groups, so being prediabetic, you probably don't have much hope there. In the meantime, all you can do is do what the doctor said - watch your diet and get daily exercise.



Do you have a local Minute Clinic? They can do the A1C which will tell you one way or the other whether you are diabetic.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

Have you surfed the internet for free meters? Usually if you ask in the search field it will give you multiple options. Just write how can I obtain free glucometer and supplies. There are many sites out there willing to send you a free meter. You may need to answer a survey.



If you haven't seen the doctor in a while, what symptoms are you having?? usually you can drink water or exercise to bring down sugar levels or if to low you can simply eat a nutritional snack to bring up your sugar. I hope this helps If your symptoms get and/or are serious, go to the ER than will not turn u away or make you pay before treatment.

Answer 6

You can absolutely get a free meter without a prescription, but test strips are more difficult.



Some meter companies give free testing supplies to low-income diabetics, like ACCU-CHEK.



Roche Accu-Chek Patient Assistance Program



Roche Diagnostics, which manufacturers the ACCU-CHEK line of blood glucose monitors, offers a patient assistance program for low-income diabetics that are without insurance coverage. The program provides free blood glucose test strips from the ACCU-CHEK line of blood glucose monitors. As with most other patient assistance programs, the offer is only available in the United States, requires a significant amount of paperwork and proof of low income may be required.



Roche Diagnostics Patient Assistance Program

PO Box 18740, Louisville, KY 40261

Phone [phone]

Website: https://www.accu-chek.com

Phone: [phone]

Answer 7

You can get free meters by emailing the different companies that supply them. However they actually make their money from the test strips, and they are expensive. Here in France and in the UK they come as a free prescription.

Answer 8

Why do you think of you're greater qualified than a physician?... Why do you desire to self - prescribe? Take it from somebody who suffers a similar challenge as you. you do no longer desire napping pills. have faith me, I even have been down that highway... locate out what the basis reason on your napping problems are, and address them. meanwhile attempt valerian root or St. John's Wort, get them from a naturopath or well-being nutrition keep