Testing Strips & Meters For Type 2s...

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khskel said:
Also in the USA the insurance companies see it as a sound economic decision because it saves money in the longterm.
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Agree khskel...an obvious benefit...economically...socially...in every way.
 
khskel said:
Also in the USA the insurance companies see it as a sound economic decision because it saves money in the longterm.
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Excellent point khskel. Insurance companies employ the keenest analysis when it comes to economics...scrutinising every last penny (or cent). My last private medical health bill itemised everything...down to the cost of a single sticking plaster used after I'd had blood drawn.
 
grovesy said:
I am not sure that is the case i have read many posts elsewhere from US posters and there insurers dictate what equipment they fund and where/who they can obtain their supplies from.
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grovesy I don't know much about the private health care in the US...so can't comment...however...I have no objection to whichever meter is supplied to me...I know others have not been happy with theirs...we all have our preference...but the point is we should have the opportunity to test if we want to...I would say we all need to...but...others may not feel the same compulsion...may not want to...the opportunity should be given...its either taken...or not...for me...ultimately that is germane to this matter...we do all pay for our health care...those in work...those out of work...pensioners....on the food we buy...the clothes we buy...our income tax...customs duty...tobacco duty (not a great example I know)...petrol duty...we are all taxed at those sources...some buy extra private health care...no objection to that...the point is none of us get it free.
 
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grovesy said:
I am not sure that is the case i have read many posts elsewhere from US posters and there insurers dictate what equipment they fund and where/who they can obtain their supplies from.
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I would imagine that's because particular manufacturers/suppliers have negotiated deals with the insurance companies for exclusive rights to this lucrative market share. After all...business is business.
 
Marsbartoastie said:
Excellent point khskel. Insurance companies employ the keenest analysis when it comes to economics...scrutinising every last penny (or cent). My last private medical health bill itemised everything...down to the cost of a single sticking plaster used after I'd had blood drawn.
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grovesy said:
I am not sure that is the case i have read many posts elsewhere from US posters and there insurers dictate what equipment they fund and where/who they can obtain their supplies from.
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This really caught my attention, because if all T2s are offered an unlimited supply of strips on D&E in the US, then that must surely be the result of solid research evidence, which could then be used by DUK to put pressure on those holding the purse strings in the UK.

Not had much chance to look into it, but unfortunately as @grovesy says, it doesn’t seem to be quite so straightforward.

This from a US type 2 forum:

Check costs and allowable quantities through multiple methods. Some insurance plans will give you (relatively) unlimited quantities for a one-month co-pay -- whatever your doctor prescribes. (Some plans cover all or part of this with no out-of-pocket costs at all.) Other plans will limit the quantities your doctor may prescribe (1 test/day for non-insulin-dependent, 3-4 tests/day for insulin-dependent, no allowance for control tests). Depending on your plan, you may be able to pick this up at the local pharmacy or you may need to order through their pharmacy benefits fulfillment plan (e.g. Medco or ExpressScripts).​

So it looks like there *might* be some
provision for some (depending on plan) and those on D&E seem likely to receive far less - not really sure what use 1x a day would be. There also seem to be a lot of people caught up with co-pay, and many more simply self-funding as their insurance will not cover, or they have no insurance.

A bit frustrating really. :(
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
This really caught my attention, because if all T2s are offered an unlimited supply of strips on D&E in the US, then that must surely be the result of solid research evidence, which could then be used by DUK to put pressure on those holding the purse strings in the UK.

Not had much chance to look into it, but unfortunately as @grovesy says, it doesn’t seem to be quite so straightforward.

This from a US type 2 forum:

Check costs and allowable quantities through multiple methods. Some insurance plans will give you (relatively) unlimited quantities for a one-month co-pay -- whatever your doctor prescribes. (Some plans cover all or part of this with no out-of-pocket costs at all.) Other plans will limit the quantities your doctor may prescribe (1 test/day for non-insulin-dependent, 3-4 tests/day for insulin-dependent, no allowance for control tests). Depending on your plan, you may be able to pick this up at the local pharmacy or you may need to order through their pharmacy benefits fulfillment plan (e.g. Medco or ExpressScripts).​

So it looks like there *might* be some
provision for some (depending on plan) and those on D&E seem likely to receive far less - not really sure what use 1x a day would be. There also seem to be a lot of people caught up with co-pay, and many more simply self-funding as their insurance will not cover, or they have no insurance.

A bit frustrating really. :(
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Once again this begs the question...why isn't DUK looking at this sort of information from around the world? I understand that DUK policy on research is to examine proposals and then react. However, what we need is a pro-active approach to this issue.
 
Marsbartoastie said:
Once again this begs the question...why isn't DUK looking at this sort of information from around the world? I understand that DUK policy on research is to examine proposals and then react. However, what we need is a pro-active approach to this issue.
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Yes...yes...yes MBT.
 
The US comparison is not relevant to our issues here...we are not in the US market...we are not debating private health care...or health insurance...we are patients in the NHS...we all pay for our care up front...in advance whether we use it or not...we are asking for solid...methodical...clinical studies here in the UK...support from DUK...this is what we should be concentrating on...even an undertaking this issue will be discussed in full...members will be listened to ...consulted...would be a start...we should not 'cloud' the issue with comparisons from the USA or elsewhere...what is frustrating are the constant excuses we receive...the ever repeated explanation 'there no solid methodical clinical research to prove a benefit'...perhaps we ought to concentrate our efforts to ensuring the absence of proven clinical data is addressed...just wondering if the 'dissatisfaction' demonstrated in the responses from members here will be brought to the attention of those at DUK who take can this matter forward...give us some reassurance.
 
Bubbsie said:
The US comparison is not relevant to our issues here...we are not in the US market...we are not debating private health care...or health insurance...we are patients in the NHS...we all pay for our care up front...in advance whether we use it or not...we are asking for solid...methodical...clinical studies here in the UK...support from DUK...this is what we should be concentrating on...even an undertaking this issue will be discussed in full...members will be listened to ...consulted...would be a start...we should not 'cloud' the issue with comparisons from the USA or elsewhere...what is frustrating are the constant excuses we receive...the ever repeated explanation 'there no solid methodical clinical research to prove a benefit'...perhaps we ought to concentrate our efforts to ensuring the absence of proven clinical data is addressed...just wondering if the 'dissatisfaction' demonstrated in the responses from members here will be brought to the attention of those at DUK who take can this matter forward...give us some reassurance.
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Anything that helps the cause is useful Bubbsie. What's particularly good about this thread, however, is the fact that it gives members an opportunity to express their views, share their experience and make proposals that push things forward. Long may that continue.
 
But @Bubbsie, I thought the only reason we were looking to the US was to see if they had some evidence that they based their decision to fund test strips, which we could then use in a campaign.
everydayupsanddowns said:
This really caught my attention, because if all T2s are offered an unlimited supply of strips on D&E in the US, then that must surely be the result of solid research evidence, which could then be used by DUK to put pressure on those holding the purse strings in the UK.
Click to expand...
You have said that research is needed in the UK, and this may be the case, but why not look at research from other countries, either from the US or, as marsbartoastie suggests, worldwide, to find some, before we start reinventing the wheel?
 
Bubbsie said:
The US comparison is not relevant to our issues here...we are not in the US market...we are not debating private health care...or health insurance...we are patients in the NHS...we all pay for our care up front...in advance whether we use it or not...we are asking for solid...methodical...clinical studies here in the UK...support from DUK...this is what we should be concentrating on...even an undertaking this issue will be discussed in full...members will be listened to ...consulted...would be a start...we should not 'cloud' the issue with comparisons from the USA or elsewhere...what is frustrating are the constant excuses we receive...the ever repeated explanation 'there no solid methodical clinical research to prove a benefit'...perhaps we ought to concentrate our efforts to ensuring the absence of proven clinical data is addressed...just wondering if the 'dissatisfaction' demonstrated in the responses from members here will be brought to the attention of those at DUK who take can this matter forward...give us some reassurance.
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I agree that a socialised health care system like the U.K. is very different to the private, commercialised system in the US but I can see why how they deal with diabetic testing is relevant and could provide a template for good preventative care here. Its clear that there must be an acceptance and hopefully financially calculated risk analysis for testing to be routinely provided as a matter of good practice. It’s what we lack here...the means to demonstrate the long term cost implications of preventing people from home testing.

I think using the example of American health care practice is simply to present an affirmative message that the usefulness of testing has been established in another developed country with a diabeties problem.
 
I think using the example of American health care practice is simply to present an affirmative message that the usefulness of testing has been established in another developed country with a diabeties problem.[/QUOTE]
Amigo said:
Its clear that there must be an acceptance and hopefully financially calculated risk analysis for testing to be routinely provided as a matter of good practice. It’s what we lack here...the means to demonstrate the long term cost implications of preventing people from home testing.
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Robin said:
You have said that research is needed in the UK, and this may be the case, but why not look at research from other countries, either from the US or, as marsbartoastie suggests, worldwide, to find some, before we start reinventing the wheel?
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Not sure I would agree it's going as far as reinventing the wheel @Robin ...that made me laugh😉...but...we each have our opinions...and the discussion on this thread has been productive...encouraging...believe you... @Amigo & @Marsbartoastie do have a perfectly valid . ..well reasoned point there...I'm presuming the American health care system would have some of the best accountants in the world ...the best cost analysis systems there could be.. on that basis...yes I would agree on those points...perhaps that is what we are lacking here in the UK...a detailed methodical cost analysis on this matter.
 
Amigo said:
I agree that a socialised health care system like the U.K. is very different to the private, commercialised system in the US but I can see why how they deal with diabetic testing is relevant and could provide a template for good preventative care here. Its clear that there must be an acceptance and hopefully financially calculated risk analysis for testing to be routinely provided as a matter of good practice. It’s what we lack here...the means to demonstrate the long term cost implications of preventing people from home testing.

I think using the example of American health care practice is simply to present an affirmative message that the usefulness of testing has been established in another developed country with a diabeties problem.
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As ever, a very clear, well expressed argument Amigo. Onward and upward 🙂
 
Northerner said:
That's precisely what NICE conduct in order to arrive at their guidelines.
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It's strange, then, that NICE seems to have reached the opposite conclusion to the bean-counters in the USA.
 
Bubbsie said:
I should have added an analysis based on proven financial accounting...thank you for reminding me MBT.
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But why wouldn't it be? I don't understand what you are saying, that's the whole purpose of NICE, as was explained earlier in the thread. You may not agree with their conclusions, of course.
 
Northerner said:
But why wouldn't it be? I don't understand what you are saying, that's the whole purpose of NICE, as was explained earlier in the thread. You may not agree with their conclusions, of course.
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I've been involved in enough 'analysis exercises' to know that you can easily control the outcome by being selective about the factors taken into consideration.

While anecdotal evidence is difficult to factor into NICE style exercises, it has great value in terms of changing perceptions. A body of evidence based on facts and figures from T2s who have used testing to successfully manage their BG would be a boon in the fight to change perceptions at insitutional, professional and personal levels. Many members would happily contribute to such an exercise and it wouldn't require a huge investment from DUK...simply a willingness to prioritise this issue.
 
Marsbartoastie said:
I've been involved in enough 'analysis exercises' to know that you can easily control the outcome by being selective about the factors taken into consideration
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MBT...thank you for your input once again...believe those that have contributed have made their points clear...now we're onto another issue...Statistics...what to make of them...no wish to be trite...offer the usual clichéd response...hackneyed comments...so I won't ... just have a peep at Mark Twain's book...Chapters from my Autobiography...his perspective on statistics...where he quotes/says ' figures often beguile me ...: there are three kinds of lies...lies... damned lies...and statistics'...many believe he is the originator of this phrase...more likely attributable to Benjamin Disraeli...however...the debate on that continues.[/QUOTE]
 
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