I to am irritated by the cost of test strips even though as a Type II I only do one test per day. My Medicare part B coverage did cover the cost but the co-pay mad the savings only about half the cost. Recently I found out that WalMart sells the ReliOn meter for less than $10.00 and the cost for strips are just over 0.40 each when purchased by the 100. The operation and ease of use is very similar to the heavily promoted meters.

I am also tired of the high cost of the test strips. I was always told that as the demand of a product goes up the price then would come down. NOT!! I am also Type II but test myself 5X/day and have very good control of my blood sugars. I will reduce the amount I test as I find what foods do what to my system. My cost in Walmart Canada is about $80/100. What I find ironic is that the acutal tester is now being given away if you buy 100 strips. This is a great money maker for the manufactures of the product and it will continue to increase their profits until we find something better to replace this technology... but why replace a money making technology right? If the strips were more reliable I would not have as much of a problem (OneTouch) can be off as much as 20% from strip to strip. I can't wait until my testing is complete and I can get down to only a couple times / week.

I'm a type 1, and am fortunate in that my company drug plan pays 100% of the cost of my test strips, but it does tick me off that the companies give the meters away, and charge nearly $1.00 per strip. I wonder if that's the reason why they don't market blood glucose meters that continuously monitor your blood sugars via something like a wrist watch for insulin pumps ?.

i am a type 2 for 11 yrs now,started with pills, now with insulin 60 units a day,i get my insulin for free from the manufacturer cause i had a stroke in may and i have not work since,its funny because i am getting the insulin for free but i cant get my strips and financially it hurts me,although i get food stamps i cant get medicaid or disability yet, but i am still trying and i wont give up..