Some frequently asked questions with answers from Diathrive
Since our business is offering blood glucose test strips for sale at a much lower cost than any other provider, people frequently ask Diathrive questions like:
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Why should I buy diabetic test strips?
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How do diabetic test strips work?
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How much do diabetic test strips cost?
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Why are diabetic test strips so expensive? What's the price of generic test strips?
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Do you have discount diabetic test strips? Do you have low-cost test strips?
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Do you need a prescription for diabetic test strips?
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Can expired diabetic test strips give false readings? Do test strips go bad? Why do they put an expiration date on test strips?
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What are the different brands of diabetic test strips? Does the brand matter?
Why should I buy diabetes test strips?
A blood glucose meter and blood glucose test strips are necessary diabetes care supplies for blood glucose monitoring, the most important starting point for managing your diabetes.
If you don't know what your blood sugar is doing, you can't know what you need to do to manage it. Based on if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your health care provider will often tell you how many times per day you should check your blood sugar levels. But, your own specific diabetes management and self-monitoring needs may lead you to check your blood sugar more often, requiring a good blood glucose meter and quality test strips.
How do diabetes test strips work?
A drop of blood is applied to the intake port on the test strip, usually indicated by a clear area in the strip where you can see the blood sample run up the strip. Inside the strip, the blood mixes with an enzyme. The glucose meter then runs electricity through that mixture. The meter gauges the resistance to the electricity to determine your blood glucose levels, and a reading pops up on your glucose meter.
How much do diabetes test strips cost?
Generally, the answer is TOO MUCH! That's why we created Diathrive. There is no good reason for the medical supply prices you are used to seeing at the counter. Generally, it costs a few dollars to manufacture a bottle of glucose test strips regardless of what brand. If you are paying more than $8 for a bottle of 50 strips (16¢ per test strips) out of pocket, you are paying too much.
Why are diabetes test strips so expensive, and what's the price of generic test strips?
Test strips are generally so expensive because the manufacturers and insurance companies in the United States want to make as much money as possible off of diabetes supplies. The cost to manufacture a vial of 50 test strips is only a few dollars. The marketing agencies, distributors, insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and pharmacy all add cost layers that add up and come out of your pocket, even if you use FSA. These layers can push test strips up to $1 per test strip, or in some cases, even more. So people with diabetes have become quite used to overpaying for their supplies, not realizing they don't actually have to use their health insurance or be limited in how many times a day they can check their blood sugar.
Regarding "generic test strips", there really isn't such a thing. Any glucose meter out there has test strips that are manufactured to go with it. People with diabetes can't buy a generic test strip that will work in another meter. But, there are meters and strips that are priced as if they are generic, even though their quality and accuracy are comparable, or even exceed, big-brand products that insurance companies push.
Do you have discount low-cost test strips?
Diathrive offers high-quality diabetes testing supplies at an affordable, reasonable cost. We bypass the added cost layers to get our strips down to 16¢ per test strip.
Do you need a prescription for test strips?
If you purchase strips using your insurance you need a prescription and might have to meet other requirements including high deductibles and copays at the pharmacy counter. With Diathrive you don't need insurance or a prescription. We sell directly to you. Learn why you don't need insurance or prescriptions here.
Can expired test strips give a false reading? Do they all go bad?
The most important factor when buying test strips is having accurate results. Diathrive provides you with control solution at no cost so you can always verify the accuracy of your test strips. Learn more about test strip accuracy here.
Blood glucose test strips have an expiration date because the enzyme on the strip can be affected by heat, cold, moisture, age and other factors. Damaged or expired strips can give false readings that are very far from your true blood sugar. We always send strips that are at least a year from their expiration date. Usually, you have about 15-18 months to use your strips before they expire.
Does brand of glucose meters and test strips matter?
It is most important to make sure to use the same brand of glucometer and strip. Don't mix two different brands.
There are many brands of meters and strips available in the US. Most of them are big brands who overcharge for their products. This continues to perpetuate the financial burden of living with diabetes. Diathrive's prices are 30-90% lower than our competition and you get your supplies through priority mail. We're the most affordable, convenient option to get the best quality diabetes testing supplies. Most importantly, we are transparent with our pricing while most brands wouldn't dare show the markups.
Ready for a new and improved path to diabetes management? Click below to try us out!
