Have you reached your 300 test strips limit on Medicare? If you're a senior in this situation, you're in the right place. Learn how to save money with our guide to buying diabetic test strips on Medicare. We'll show you which brands can save you the most money, especially important for seniors on fixed incomes.

A Guide to Buying Diabetic Test Strips on Medicare for Seniors

Key Takeaways:

• Your blood glucose meter will dictate your out-of-pocket costs since diabetic test strips make up the bulk of expenses.
• Consider replacing older meters like OneTouch Ultra or Accu-Chek Aviva since they will be phased out and test strip prices are amongst the highest due to scarcity.
• Ascensia Contour Next is the best value for those that prefer a larger manufacturer with high availability.
• Consider "Value Brands" like True Metrix, CareSens, and Arkray for maximum savings without compromising accuracy.

As a senior, you may be concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs and diabetic supplies, including buying diabetic test strips on Medicare. If you have diabetes, test strips are an essential part of managing your condition. However, the cost of diabetic test strips can add up quickly.

Picking the right blood glucose meter is critical to saving money on test strips. In this blog post, we will discuss Medicare coverage for test strips and strategies to save money on test strips by choosing the right blood glucose meter and test strips.

Medicare Part B Coverage for Test Strips

Medicare Part B covers blood sugar tests for people with diabetes. Unfortunately for many seniors, this coverage is often not nearly enough to cover the amount of test strips needed.

• Medicare Part B covers blood sugar tests for people with diabetes, depending on their specific plan.
• There may be a deductible to meet before Medicare starts covering costs. The Medicare Part B deductible for 2023 is $250.
• Once the deductible is met, a copayment is typically required. The copayment for test strips may vary depending on the plan, but it is generally 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. For example, if the Medicare-approved amount for a box of test strips is $50, you would pay $10 (20% of $50) for the box of test strips.
• There is a limit to the number of test strips Medicare will cover each 3 months. For 2023, the limit is 300 test strips for people who use insulin and 100 test strips for people who do not use insulin.
• If you reach the coverage limit for test strips, you will have to pay the full cost of your test strips until you reach the out-of-pocket limit for Medicare Part B. In 2023, the out-of-pocket limit is $7,050.
• In daily testing terms, if you test 3-5 times a day, 300 test strips will last you 60 to 100 days and 100 test strips will last you 20 to 33 days.

Out-of-Pocket Costs for Blood Sugar Test Strips Under Medicare Part B

Navigating the intricacies of Medicare coverage for blood sugar test strips can be confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the coverage limit and out-of-pocket expenses. While the term "donut hole" is often used to describe a gap in Medicare coverage, it specifically applies to Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, not to Medicare Part B coverage for blood sugar tests.

Under Medicare Part B, in 2023 individuals with diabetes are eligible for:

• 300 test strips every 3 months for people who use insulin
• 100 test strips every 3 months for people who do not use insulin

Once you reach the coverage limit for test strips, you will transition from Medicare paying a portion of the cost to paying the entire cost of the additional strips. This means you will be responsible for the full cost of any test strips you need until the next three-month period begins.

Your Blood Glucose Meter Will Have the Highest Impact on Expenses

If you're reaching your Medicare limit of 300 or 100 test strips every 3 months, you'll have to pay the full cost of your blood glucose test strips. Your blood glucose meter will dictate your out-of-pocket costs as the main cost of testing comes from blood glucose test strips. 

For example, OneTouch Ultra Test Strips cost $1.02 per test strip, while Arkray Assure Prism Test Strips cost only 17 cents per test strip. By purchasing an Arkray meter, you could save up to 85% on the cost of your out-of-pocket test strip expense. Buying in bulk would save you nearly $1,000 a year!

A Brand-by-Brand Comparison of Test Strip Costs

This chart compares the prices of test strips before bulk discounts and assumes you are buying 1 box of test strips. To compare apples to apples, we have sorted the chart by price per test strip.

Annual Cost of Test Strips: A Brand-by-Brand Comparison - 100 Test Strips / Month

Let's say you're buying diabetic test strips while on Medicare and you need 100 test strips a month outside of your Medicare Part B coverage, meaning you're paying out of pocket for the strips that are not covered.  Here are the costs annualized for 1 year if you were to buy 100 test strips per month of each brand. We also take into account discounts for buying 2 boxes of 50 test strips for example.

The savings are calculated based on the highest cost, OneTouch Ultra vs the test strip listed.  For example, if you were to buy Ascensia Contour Next Test Strips vs OneTouch Ultra Test Strips buying 100 test strips a month for a year, you would save $754.80 by purchasing Ascensia Contour Next Test Strips.

Annual Cost of Test Strips: A Brand-by-Brand Comparison - Bulk Discounts

Buying in bulk is a great way to save on test strip purchases when paying out of pocket.  The below chart shows your savings when buying in bulk. We take the same example of 100 test strips per month.  In the below chart, you would be purchasing 1,200 test strips per year in bulk (12 x 100 test strips per month).

For example, by purchasing Accu-Chek Guide Test Strips in bulk, you will save $604.69 vs buying OneTouch Ultra Test Strips in bulk.

Takeaways: Blood Glucose Test Strip Prices 

• The least expensive test strips are Arkray Assure Prism Test Strips.
• The most expensive test strips are OneTouch Ultra Test Strips.
• Ascensia Contour and Contour Next Test Strips are the least expensive out of the major brands: OneTouch, Abbott, Accu-Chek and Ascensia.
• True Metrix and CareSens N Test Strips are great alternatives to the major brands and have high customer satisfaction and ratings.  Your savings by purchasing these discounted brands is over $800 a year vs the name brand test strips.

Alternatives to OneTouch Ultra and Accu-Chek Aviva

OneTouch Ultra and Accu-Chek Aviva Test Strips have the highest costs.  This is not surprising as both of these meters have been replaced with newer meters. As meters get replaced, test strip costs tend to rise due to scarcity.  The manufacturers Lifescan (maker of OneTouch) and Roche (maker of Accu-Chek) are phasing out the old test strips in favor of newer models.

• OneTouch Ultra is being replaced by OneTouch Verio. If you enjoy your OneTouch Ultra meter but don't enjoy the high cost of test strips, an option would be to switch to OneTouch Verio meter. Your overall costs would be reduced by nearly $500 annually by switching to the newer OneTouch Verio Meter. 
• If you love your old OneTouch meter and don't want to give it up, age can have its benefits. UniStrip1 makes generic test strips for OneTouch Ultra, OneTouch Ultra 2, OneTouch UltraMini, and OneTouch UltraSmart meters as long as they are from before April 2016.  Your savings by switching to UnitStrip1 generic test strips would amount to nearly $900 a year.
• Accu-Chek Aviva is being replaced by Accu-Chek Guide. If you enjoy your Accu-Chek Aviva meter but find the cost of strips is getting prohibitive, you could consider switching to the Accu-Chek Guide Meter.  Your annual savings would be nearly $200.

Alternatives to Abbott FreeStyle Lite

While FreeStyle Lite is a highly accurate and popular, the cost of test strips can be high.  Abbott has recently focused more on a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) called FreeStyle Libre. Newer test strips can be found that work with Abbott's CGM, however, there is no good newer option if you would like to stay with the Abbott brand and prick your finger. 

For Abbott users, True Metrix or CareSens N meters and test strips might be a good option.  While it's a change in brand, both are highly rated and economical from a cost standpoint.  The savings would add to up to nearly $400 a year when buying test strips in bulk. If you prefer a larger brand, Ascensia Contour Next Test Strips might be the best option due to their high availability and affordable price for people that pay out of pocket for their strips.

Ascensia Contour and Contour Next Test Strips

Ascensia Contour Next Test Strips are perhaps the best value out of the major brands saving you anywhere between $100 to a whopping $700 a year as compared to OneTouch Ultra, OneTouch Verio, Abbott FreeStyle Lite, OneTouch Verio and Accu-Chek Aviva and Guide. 

• Ascensia has focused on serving the market for people that pay out of pocket for their test strips and are often cheaper than your Medicare or insurance copays.
• If you're currently using any of the major brands and want to stick with a name brand larger manufacturer with high availability in drugstores, then Ascensia Contour Next Test Strips would be a logical choice. While not the cheapest, they offer the best value and availability of any test strip on the market.
• Ascensia Contour (not to be confused with Contour Next) is an older meter that is being phased out in favor of the newer Contour Next meters.  While prices for Contour Test Strips still remain relatively affordable, as with OneTouch, scarcity can eventually lead to higher prices.

Value Test Strip Brands: True Metrix, CareSens, Arkray

Don't let the word "value" deter you. After all, you are looking to save money on test strips.  Value doesn't mean poor in this case. On the contrary, all 3 brands are popular but have more of a niche following.

• True Metrix is probably most popular of the three and is made by Trividia Health in Florida. This meter and strips give you great value without compromising accuracy. Switching to True Metrix over one of the major brands OneTouch, Accu-Chek or Abbott would save you anywhere from $200 to $800 a year on test strips.
• CareSens N would likely be the next most popular "Value Brand". CareSens N Test Strips are manufactured by i-Sens and are made in South Korea. They are known for being highly accurate and provide great bang for your buck. Similar to True Metrix, your savings would add up rapidly to the tune of $200 to $800 annually when switching from a major brand like OneTouch, Abbott or Accu-Chek. 
• Arkray is a lesser-known brand that is made in Japan.  What it lacks in brand awareness, it more than makes up for in accuracy and value. We know a few Type 1 diabetics who swear by these strips, so these could be a great alternative to the major brands with a savings of nearly $1,000 a year over OneTouch Ultra.

A Final Thought for Buying Diabetic Test Strips on Medicare

With cost of everything from gas to groceries increasing, Seniors are struggling to find ways to save on diabetes test strips. Often Medicare coverage isn't enough to cover all the blood glucose strips Seniors need. Choosing the right blood glucose meter can have a major impact on your pocketbook, potentially saving you thousands of dollars a year. If you're choosing a new blood glucose meter or looking to upgrade, your savings could be substantial by choosing the right meter. We hope this information will help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a meter.

Other Options for Seniors on Medicare Looking to Reduce their Out-of-Pocket Expenses

In addition to the strategies listed above, there are a few other things you can do to save money on test strips:

• Check for discounts or coupons. Many drugstores and manufacturers offer discounts or coupons on test strips.
• Talk to your insurance company. Your insurance company may offer additional coverage for test strips.
• Apply for patient assistance programs. There are a number of patient assistance programs that can help you afford your test strips.

By following these tips, you can save money on test strips and get the care you need.

Additional Resources

• Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/
• Medicare Part B Test Strip Coverage: https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11022-medicare-coverage-of-diabetes-supplies.pdf
• National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/
• AARP: https://www.aarp.org/

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Disclaimer: This post is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this post.