I am 1 week away from finally starting my Omnipod and I was wondering if I should keep using my OneTouch Ultra 2 meter (which my endo likes) or if I should use my Freestyle meter built into the Omnipod out of convenience. I am asking because the extra Freestyle meter that came with the shipment is always 50+ off from my OneTouch so my endo wanted me to stick with the OneTouch since I’ve been using it for a while. I also am wondering if my insurance will pay for both strips if I start using the built in meter too. Is the Freestyle built in dependable?
I use the freestyle all the time now (switched from a One Touch UltraSmart when I got the pod). I haven’t noticed any problems but I’ve never done a side by side comparison either. I can’t imagine carrying around an extra meter and supplies all the time though!
it’s nice to use the meter in the PDM (it’s all i use) because, that way, you don’t have to punch in the calculations for it. it knows what your BG is already, and it’ll do the math for you and suggest insulin. using a different meter is a few extra steps… that i don’t bother in taking. as soon as i got the Omnipod system, i’ve only used the PDM’s meter. i also keep a few FreeStyle meters around just in case… but i’ve never had to use them.
Ever since starting on the OmniPod, I used the integrated Freestyle meter. I really hated giving up the One Touch Ultra Smart meter…it was awesome. Out of curiousity, I compared the results of both and noticed what I thought was a considerable difference. But there seemed to be a significant difference between the One Touch Mini and the others as well. Besides, it’s one of the benefits of using the system.
That said, I only use the built-in meter…since my endo wasn’t concerned with the variance. Why carry around extra baggage? We already have enough of that.
I use the PDM
I been using the PDM and it is super handy since it collects the numbers and store them. I love everything about the omnipod, Marina you will love it too!!
I switched from the One Touch to the Freestyle strips. It’s easier then carrying 2 meters and manually entering your bg readings. I don’t think insurance will pay for both.
I’ve always found mine to be dependable. Make sure you code the strips I made that mistake before.
Since I started using my pod, I only use the PDM, its faster and more convenient to calculate the meal or correction bolus. No more one touch ultra 2 meter.
I also use the Built in PDM I have always used freestyle meters of all kinds aside from it entering you calcs if u use it will also so when you download all the data to the pc thats nice all in one Thanks RenZ
I still use my One Touch Ultra 2 for two reasons. My insurance does not cover the FreeStyle strips and my Doctor can’t read the data from the PDM but can download the OneTouch. If my insurance would cover the strips I would change to the PDM and just download the PDM data myself (via www.diabetespartner.com) before seeing my doctor. I have not used a FreeStyle meter in years so I do not know how the numbers compare. I would love to have one less item to carry and have my PDM store all the data. Using the two together my PDM only has my BG readings for boluses & corrections. Any post meal numbers that don’t need corrections are only stored in my OneTouch.
You must have BC/BS! They’ll cover One-Touch with no co-pay- but it’s $100 for the Freestyles! I tried to get my strips covered, but they refuse. Apparently they don’t care how much their clients have to cart around.
The pharmacy didn’t charge me for the last go round, so I don’t know what’s going on there. But I got the discount card- so that should cover the extra from now on.
I never thought of that- that you can’t show the numbers post meal? Can’t you enter the numbers manually at any time and it stays in the PDM?
Yes, you can- and yes, it does.
I use the PDM, but was thinking about switching to the one touch just because I heard that the co-pay is the lowest with one touch test strips and if I can save some money, with only having to carry an extra meter around I so would. But who know, I might ask at my next endo appt. in June.
I have tried to just enter a BG without any other action (just to store it) and it doesn’t allow it. I guess I could try to enter it in an do a 0 bolus and see what happens.
Yup. BC/BS seems to only have a deal with the OneTouch. My DE says we could try to fight for an exception but the results would most likely be like yours - a refusal. If the new PDM has better downloading software and the Dr. can read it I may try to get them covered.
I have bcbs (Massachusetts) and they covered the freestyle strips at a higher co-pay after I got a prior authorization signed from my doctor. My original co-pay for onetouch was $25 and now I pay $45 for freestyle.
I think it might also depend on what level of service your company pays for. I’ve been told that the medical and dental insurance I get via my employer is very good.