The world of blood glucose monitors has changed significantly in the past few years. There are now many different models available, and they all have different features. It can be hard to know what you need in a blood glucose monitor, so we’ve put together this list of things you should look for when choosing one. Be sure to read to the end to learn more about a new blood glucose and ketone monitoring system from BioCoach.
Check That Your Insurance Covers It
If you have health insurance, check with your insurance company to see if the device is covered. If you have a prescription for the blood glucose monitor, check with your doctor for more information about whether or not your insurance plan will cover it. Also, ask your local pharmacy if they stock any of these devices and if they accept third-party reimbursement from an employer’s benefits provider.
You can also look up what types of insurance coverage are offered through the manufacturer’s website or on their Amazon page.
Check the Accessories You Will Get With The Monitor
When looking at different blood glucose monitors, one thing to consider is whether it comes with a lancet device. If you get a monitor with one and your insurance, great cover it! But if not, then you might want to consider getting a separate lancing device. This will make testing easier overall because there will be fewer steps involved—just stick in the strip and press down on the button for a few seconds until blood appears on the tip of the strip (this is called “wicking”). If you don’t have insurance coverage for this item, prices range from $25 to $50 depending on your chosen model (for example, manual vs electric).
Check the Cost.
A blood glucose monitor can be an expensive piece of equipment, but it’s important to look at models that fall within your budget. If you are on a tight budget, consider buying a model that offers all of the features you need at a lower cost. You can also find older models for much less than newer ones and still get good results. Be sure to check with your insurance company before purchasing a new blood sugar monitor to see if they cover it or offer any discounts on the costs of purchasing one.
- Look for Models with Good Warranties and Support Plans.
When selecting your new blood glucose monitor, look at warranties and support plans offered by different manufacturers. This will help ensure that you won’t have any problems after making your purchase decision!
There are monitors at literally every price point. Some are even as low as $10.
Check Reviews Online
You can also check reviews online. Look for testimonials on Amazon, Google, and other sites. Read product descriptions carefully, as some websites offer misleading information about the product (such as the price). Check for reviews on forums where you might be able to find someone who has used this particular blood glucose monitor before and get their input on it. If you have diabetes in your family or friends who have diabetes, ask them what they use for a blood glucose monitor.
If all else fails, open up Facebook and search “glucose monitors” in the search bar! You may be surprised by how many people are discussing this topic online—and there’s almost always someone willing to give advice or provide insight into which products work best for them.
Ease of Use
The ease of use is a subjective measure. It depends on the person using it and how they are used to it. It also depends on the model and how easy it is to use. Some people prefer a simple model, while others prefer a more complex model with more features and functions.
Special Features
- The ability to connect to your smartphone. This feature is becoming increasingly common on blood glucose meters and can be very useful. With this feature, you’ll be able to monitor your readings and track trends on your phone’s screen. You can also use the smartphone app as a remote control for taking readings, making things easier if you have vision problems or cannot see the display screen.
- The ability to share data with a doctor or health professional. Some blood glucose monitors allow you to send reports directly from their device via email or text message (or both), making it easy for doctors, nurses and other caregivers to keep track of what’s going on in real-time without having direct access themselves.
- The machine itself not only tracks trends but also estimates how much sugar may still be floating around in your bloodstream after eating.
Information Storage and Retrieval
It’s also important that blood glucose monitors can store and retrieve data.
If you are a parent of a child with diabetes, you may want to be able to see trends in their blood glucose levels over time. You may even want to share the information with your child’s doctor or another family member who can better understand what it means for your child.
For adults who have diabetes, it is important that they have access to their own data so they can use it when making treatment decisions.
Support
Support is what makes or breaks a device. It can take the form of a website, phone number or user manual. A warranty is also important because it shows that the company stands behind their product and wants you to be satisfied with it. You’ll want support if you have questions about using your device or if something goes wrong with it—and not every company offers this kind of service for its products.
Look for A Model Where The Strips Are Covered By Insurance
Insurance coverage can be important in deciding what model to purchase if you’re not paying for the monitor out of pocket. Some models are more expensive than others, and some require that you pay for strips out of pocket. In these cases, look for a model where the strips are covered by insurance or included in a subscription service—this way, when it comes time to refill your insulin pen or glucose meter, you won’t have any surprises!
Takeaway:
- Check your insurance plan.
- Look for reviews online, and check the cost of strips, too (this can vary a lot between models).
- Think about how many accessories you’ll need and what kind of storage capabilities are available for the monitor.
- Make sure it’s easy to use, especially if you have diabetes or other health conditions that make it difficult to do things like managing a meter on your own without help from others!
- Look into special features like alarms/alerts and data storage options; these may be important depending on what kind of lifestyle you live as well as how serious/stable your condition is currently (elevated levels can lead to complications later down the road).
We hope this list will help you find the best blood glucose monitor for your needs. If you’re wondering why checking your blood glucose levels is extremely important then read more here.
You’ll also want to check out a new, innovative blood sugar monitor by BioCoach. This monitor measures both glucose levels and ketone levels in the blood. Additionally, BioCoach specializes in very affordable HA1C meters. BioCoach also has a subscription program that allows for unlimited glucose testing strips that are auto-shipped. Learn more about BioCoach here and be sure to use code: STOPTHESPIKE at BioCoach to save yourself 10%!
References
- Blood glucose meter: How to choose. Mayo Clinic. (2022). Retrieved 19 October 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-glucose-meter/art-20046335.