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.
