Blood Glucose Meter

Hand-held device for blood glucose monitoring

Tips for finding the right blood glucose meter
A blood glucose meter (also called blood sugar meter, glucometer, glucose monitor, etc.) is a small, portable, battery-powered device for home blood glucose monitoring. By using a blood glucose meter to test your blood throughout the day, you’ll know whether your level of glucose is low, high or normal. You can then make sound decisions about managing your diabetes — for example, when and how much medicine to take, when to exercise and when to eat meals or snacks.

How it works
A blood glucose meter takes a reading from a drop of blood, usually taken from your fingertip, which is placed on the end of a specially coated strip, called a test strip. The blood glucose meter reads the strip and shows your blood glucose level on a digital window display.

Choosing a blood glucose meter/monitor
Choosing a blood glucose meter is a very personal decision. But, while there certainly are factors that may make one system more convenient than another, blood glucose meters for the most part all function using the same technology.

Some things to consider when choosing a blood glucose meter include:

Simplicity. Newer blood glucose meters feature one-step sampling and readout. The chemically-treated strip is placed in the meter, which is placed against the skin to draw blood and provide a readout in one easy step.

Size. You may want to look for a blood glucose meter that requires only a small blood sample. Blood glucose meters are now available that use such a small amount of blood that a sample can be taken from other locations on your body, such as your forearm, which is less sensitive to pricking.

Shape. You may also want to look for a blood glucose meter with a compact, easy-to-use shape and size that’s right for you.

Special Features.Some blood glucose meters incorporate a voice activator, permitting testing without being able to see the meter — great if you have vision problems. Newer blood glucose meters allow you to hook the meter to a computer so that stored readings can be graphed and analyzed at home or your doctor's office.

The cost of your blood glucose meter may be covered
Contact Liberty today to find out if you qualify for Medicare reimbursement of
your diabetes testing supplies, including a blood glucose meter.* You may be eligible if you meet the following simple requirements:

• You are on Medicare.
• You have a doctor’s order to test your blood sugar.

See if your diabetes testing supplies are covered by Medicare with one simple phone call to 1-866-373-8971.  If calling is not convenient, see if your supplies are covered online or enroll online.

* Co-payments and deductibles apply.
Source: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Glucose Meters & Diabetes Management and The American Diabetes Association.

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