Hi - Is anyone using the new Bayer Contour Next Link meter with their Medtronic pump? I just received mine and am curious to know how well it works.
Yes, I received mine a couple of weeks ago and I used up the 25 test strips that came with it. I had an upcoming appt with my Endo so, I decided to wait till then to get a new prescription for the strips.
I really like that it has a backlight. Also, the amount of blood needed is very small compared to the one touch ultra link.
I plan on using the discount card that came with it. But, if you read the fine print it’s only good for 1 year. After the year is over I’ll be paying more then my current test strips because it falls in a higher tier. Another decision to make when that time comes is whether to continue with the old or the new!
@MegaMinxX, I received a discount card with my meter. Eligible patients pay the first $15 in co-pays each month and can receive savings up to $35 per month by using the contour choice card. There are restrictions so, you may want to read the fine print. It’s valid for those with private insurance only.
You can go to ContourChoice.com for the details.
Hope this helps!
Kat
FYI...I just filled my Contour Next Test strips using the Contour Choice Card with no problems at my local Walgreens. Whoop Whoop!!!
I hope everyone that is using the Contour Next Strips are taking advantage of this offer while it lasts!
Well - I had my One Touch strips (300) refilled just a couple of days before I got the Bayer meter. Guess I'll use the One Touch strips before trying the Bayer - Bummer!
I received my Bayer Contour Next Link meter about a week ago with 25 strips. I've found that the numbers from the Next Link are comparable to the Ultralink. I like the backlight from the Next Link meter too. What I don't like is the case for the Next Link. I don't think there was much thought that went into designing this case.
The discount card that came with the meter cannot be used if you are on Medicare, so it will not benefit me.
I was sent an email last week about upgrading for free to the new meter. I filled out the online request, and they said it’ll be sent soon. Sounds like they have lots of requests to fill. It is considered a Tier 3 on my Ins, but hope the discount card works. Currently I use the Aviva Nano.
You'll need to use the discount card at a local pharmacy. They said it is accepted at 99% of retail pharmacys. When I got mine filled I had no problems at all. I made sure I gave them the card before they charged it to my insurance.
One of the things I like with this meter is if you don't apply enough blood for a reading it tells you to add more blood. You don't have to throw it away and start over with a new one. I also like that it takes a tiny amount of blood compared to the One Touch Ultra Link.
Just got mine. I have a MM pump too. The problem I see is my insurance for meds doesn't cover the strips (Medco). I am going to try to get them from MM through my regular insurance BCBS. I used it twice so far and it seems to be accurate enough. The thing I don't like is and maybe I don't have it set right is you have to send the reading to the pump manually. Please someone correct me if I am doing it wrong. Nice size though.
I don’t know if I am going to switch from the one touch. Maybe just for the year the discount cards is good for. I am not to keen on having to charge the contour I have enough stuff that I have make sure gets charged much less my meter. I am not to pleased that Medtronic went with a meter that will cost the patients more. The benefit of the backlight and using less blood is not worth the extra costs to me. Infusion sets are costly enough on their own much less the added cost of the strips. I wonder if Medtronic even thought of this or if it was done on purpose. I have to agree about the case not being thought out. The test strip bottles do not seem to fit too well they seem a little big. Nor am I a fan of the overly large lancet device after using the delica.
To those of you already using the contour how long does the charge last? And how long does it take to charge?
Well the lancing device wouldn't be an issue for me, I mean you dont HAVE to use the lancing device that comes with the meter, and its of my opinion they always include the cheapest, worst lancing devices with the meters. I love my delica, and I'd continue using it regardless of what meter I was using. The whole co-pay thing would be the issue for me, as I ONLY have the option of getting my strips through Liberty. Honestly I have always like OneTouch and have thought they make a great meter. Newer isn't always better.
Richard, I believe MM sells the strips under DME and not Pharmacy.
For the meter to talk to your pump....did you program your pump? I have the MM Revel. Go to Utilities, Connect Devices, Meters, select on, add ID.
duder, The meter has a Rapid Charge and a Normal Charge. If your battery is low when you plug in your meter, it will Rapid Charge for about 1 minute. You can run a blood test as soon as the rapid charge is complete. When Rapid Charge ends, Normal Charging is expected to last up to 2 hrs. I believe the charge lasts about one month. You can also charge it up on your pc when you're looking at the data.
I like the Contour next because of the small blood sample size, and because if you apply too small a blood sample you can add more blood without the meter error message. I have wasted many strips due to not adding a large enough blood droplet. The case does need to be larger. The lancet is nice, completely painless.
I have heard that they are more expensive through insurance and harder to get. I dont know if anyone has had this issue, but this is what I have found out through my own research and other friends of mine who have diabetes as well have found out. One touch is covered by more insurances then bayer and are always easier to get.
Yeah, my DME insurance will cover the strips. It'll be 80/20 until I hit my out of pocket. I guess I missed the part and need to reset it to automatically send the reading to the pump.