I recently published a piece about some home meter accuracy testing:
A link to the raw data is in there as well, so please go ahead and run your own analysis. I’d love to hear how others approach the issue.
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I think we all have great concerns about meter accuracy. There have been a number of studies to look at meter accuracy and the issue is complicated. Unfortunately some of the things which cause meter errors vary from person to person (such as anemia) so actually doing some studies on yourself as an individual makes sense. Part of the difficulty is that we don’t have a good “gold standard.” I try to take my blood sugar every blood draw to compare my meter to the lab (which is usually a professional instrument like a Hemocue). But that is just one same every three months. I have found my verio IQ to be consistent with the lab even though it has a bias difference from other meters I have. But again everyone is different.
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Great write-up, thanks! I’ve been using LifeScan OneTouch UltraLink for the same reason you stated - my insurance covers the strips. In the absence of a readily available way to check for accuracy, I’ve looked at the results obtained in repeated tests performed one after another with as short time delay as possible. Such consecutive readings on that meter can differ by a lot - not a good sign. On several occasions I’ve compared against the lab results (checked at about the same time the blood was drawn), and have found that LifeScan OneTouch UltraLink meter values differed by various amounts, but have consistently been somewhat lower compared to the lab results. This was another red flag. After some searching around, I’ve decided to get Bayer Contour Next Link, which has for me shown less variability in consecutive checks, and was closer to my lab result (although I only have one sample point so far). These days, I use Bayer Contour Next Link and their strips for which I pay out of pocket to carefully calibrate my Dexcom CGM, and then I rely almost entirely on the CGM (contrary to official recommendations, which do not make sense to me). I still carry that LifeScan OneTouch UltraLink just so I have something to check in case I suspect CGM may be way off, but I never use it for calibration.
That’s a great example of YDMV, for sure. I am aware of the issues with varying levels of hematocrit, both between patients and in the same patient over time, but it’s odd that this is not stressed more. Good on you for doing tests side-by-side with the lab standard, though you’re right about small sample size making it difficult.
Love to see people doing their own experiments when questions and curiosity arise! That’s unfortunate that you’re now paying out-of-pocket to get the results you feel are best, but at least you have a good feel for your equipment.
I love bayer contour meter , but my insurance had a high Copays. They want you to use a one touch . I use it but liked the other one better. Nancy
Hello, though this is an old post, accuracy is still an issue especially while using OmniPod which auto connects to the Contour blood tester. I, too, have found that the Contour NextOne, provided by OmniPod, is more accurate than the OneTouch Verio which my insurance pays for.
Has anyone verified what I am seeing between these two glucose testers? This morning my OneTouch read 51 which is a severe low but I felt OK. My Dexcom reading was 70 so I decided to check with the Contour and it also read 71!! So bottom line, I am looking for ways to get more Contour test strips at a lower cost and may even consult my doctor to see if he can write a prescription for “medical necessity”. Those reading differences are huge when micromanaging my BG and could be causing my swings in BG since I overreact to the low readings, etc. Thanks for your thoughts!
BTW, there are many new Glucose meters that are accurate as shown by this review, but we are all dependent on insurance coverage!
Ask your doctor to do a PA with your insurance company. Since you use a pump integrated with a certain meter, this is an appeal that should be easy to win.
Here is some sample text I wrote. You can suggest something like this to your doctor:
Mr. RLS1 has been using Contour Next One test strips because his insulin pump (OmniPod Dash) is integrated with the Contour Next One blood glucose (BG) meter. The Contour Next One BG meter is the only meter compatible with his pump that will transfer blood glucose readings to the pump via Bluetooth wireless technology. This allows the BG value to be automatically used by the pump for bolus recommendations without requiring them to be entered manually.
Requiring Mr. RLS1 to manually enter the BG value into his insulin pump creates a great possibility for dosage error, which increases the risk for severe glycemic events.
The possibility for error is significantly increased during times of hypoglycemia when mental capacity is diminished. When a hypoglycemic BG value is read by the pump, a bolus is prevented. Using strips that are not integrated with the insulin pump will remove this important safety feature.
Additionally, during times of hyperglycemia, his vision becomes impaired from swelling in the lens of the eye. Requiring him to read the BG value from an external meter and then manually enter it into his pump for bolus recommendations when his vision is impaired also greatly increases the risk of using incorrect BG values and making bolusing mistakes.
Exemptions are generally granted for test strips that are integrated with a particular insulin pump. To reduce the risk of insulin dosing mistakes, we are asking for an exemption to the coverage of test strips that do not integrate with his insulin pump, and are requesting coverage of the Contour Next One test strips.
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Eric2, thanks so much for the draft letter. I will use it to create my letter to my endocrinologist so that he can send it to my insurance!
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All, United Health Care accepted my Doctor’s proposal for Contour Next One test strips rather than OneTouch Verio. Cost is $175 for 90-day supply rather than $100 but is worth it to me. I will order Contour after I use more of my remaining OneTouch strips. Thanks for your guidance!
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What’s a “PA”? 
PA stands for “Prior Authorization”.
Health insurance sometimes require a PA to verify that a certain medicine or procedure or treatment is medically necessary before they will approve the cost.
For example, they might only approve a generic drug, but to get the name-brand version of the drug they might require a PA.
Yes “Prior Authorization” is exactly what United Healthcare asked for. they provided a special phone number for my doctor’s office to call and also sent a FAX to them describing the process. It all copleted within 3 days.
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At that cost, it appears that you are going through at least 5 strips per day. Have you considered getting a CGM?
HI CJ. I do have a CGM. I only mention 90 day Rx because that is how I get strips shipped to me. The 90-day supply may last my whole year. We will see. I’m hoping that the Contour calibrates my Dexcom G6 more accurately so that I do not have to test as often or re-calibrate. Thanks.
I am on a G6 and never calibrate. First 24 hours can be wonky so I test during that period as needed before meals to pre-bolus correctly but numbers always come back into line within minutes to 24 hours at most without any calibration. I am on medicare so have the contour one next as medicare patients get that meter from Dexcom as part of their original package. I had great trepidations converting from decades of one touch use, but was sold on the contour one next by the first day of use.
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It’s interesting - with all the disagreements people have about various pumps, insulins, high carb vs. low carb, best treatment, your diabetes may vary, on and on - I don’t think I have ever heard anyone disagree about that meter.
It seems like the one thing everyone agrees on is what a great meter it is. I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say anything bad about it.
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