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Archives for August 2019

Why do Test Strips Expire?

The high cost of diabetic test strips has led to many people using them past the manufacturer’s expiration date, but it’s not a good idea. Test strips contain an enzyme and stabilizing chemical on the end that can give a false reading past the expiration date.

The humble test strip is far more complicated than it appears. It’s a technological wonder of electrochemistry comprised of many ultrathin layers. Enzymes and stabilizing chemicals are applied to the end of the strip that accepts the blood sample during the manufacturing process. If test strips aren’t stored properly, they can degrade and provide inaccurate readings.

When home users introduce blood to the strip, a chemical reaction takes place that’s transformed into an electrochemical reaction in the strip. That reaction is then read by the glucose meter. High humidity and extremes in temperature degrade the enzyme and chemical used, thereby rendering an inaccurate reading and placing users’ health at risk.

Test strips that have exceeded their expiration date can exhibit errors by giving readings that are over or under the actual glucose level. Individuals may use too much or too little insulin to compensate. Manufacturers use different enzymes and chemicals unique to their particular brand. Some may provide better accuracy but have a longer shelf life, while other brands may be slightly less accurate but have a longer expiration date.

Accurate glucose readings can be disrupted by a variety of blood components such as acetaminophen and other medications. The sophisticated design of diabetic test strips enables them to read and ignore those components to provide an accurate reading.

The manufacturing process of diabetic test strips involves multiple steps and highly sensitive elements to provide diabetics with an accurate reading to manage and control their disease. The reason test strips expire is due to the enzymes and chemicals used – the very same reason that they work to accurately measure glucose levels.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Can Diabetes be Hereditary?

Despite the information available about diabetes, people are often confused about the disease, what causes it, if it’s preventable, and can it be inherited. There are two primary types of diabetes and the disease has a strong genetic component.

Research has identified two risk genes for developing diabetes called THADA and KCNQ1. The THADA gene is particularly dominant when an individual inherits it from the mother. When inherited from the father, the gene typically demonstrates no or low-risk for developing diabetes.

Currently, type 1 and type 2 diabetes have both been linked to genetics and environmental factors. The medical profession also associates certain lifestyle components with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while type 1 is classified as an autoimmune disease.

The genetic element doesn’t automatically mean that someone will develop the disease, though the risk does increase. The same is true for certain ethnic groups. Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian populations are more likely to develop the disease.

Heredity does play a major role in developing diabetes and scientists have discovered some interesting environmental correlations. Diabetes is more likely to develop during winter months and it’s more common in cold climates. Scientists believe that certain viruses that have only a minimal impact on many people may trigger the development of diabetes in those with a genetic predisposition to the disease. It’s also more prevalent in those that were breastfed.

The medical guidelines for diabetes used to be fairly clear cut and distinguished by whether the condition appeared in childhood or after adulthood. The lines have been blurred as science has discovered more about the disease, with some in the medical community proposing that diabetes to be categorized into five different groups rather than the current two.

The CDC has indicated that diabetes is a public health crisis and linked it to obesity. Adults that develop diabetes have experienced shaming behaviors from the uninformed, even though diabetes has a definite genetic component that can be inherited like many other diseases.

Attitudes are slowly changing as more is learned about the disease and the role that genetics play. Knowing that an individual may have a greater risk of manifesting the disease can help in managing it early in life to delay or even prevent it from developing.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Diabetic Supplies at a Discount

Everyone likes to save money and for people with diabetes, finding discount diabetic supplies can mean the difference between managing their disease and placing their health at risk. The need for affordable diabetic supplies has resulted in dozens of companies offering discounts on everything from test strips and syringes to lancets and glucose meters.

Depending upon the company, diabetics can experience savings ranging from 20-60 percent on the supplies they need. One of the most often sought items is glucose test strips. They’re expensive, individuals use several each day, and it’s a significant cost for those that are underinsured. Even people with insurance often discover they have costly co-pays and insurers may not provide as many strips as they actually need.

Many diabetics have resorted to reusing lancets and syringes to manage the costs they incur each month. Doing so can result in an infection that could potentially have devastating consequences. One of the biggest expenses for diabetics is test strips. They can’t be reused, but there are ways to save on the essential supplies and obtain them at discounted prices.

There are numerous companies that have been in the business of buying unused diabetic test strips for years and reselling them for a fraction of the original cost. The strips are new, unopened, and have long expiration dates. The companies handle a wide variety of brands and it’s completely legal for individuals to purchase their supplies in this way.

A number of charitable organizations also accept donations of diabetic supplies and then distribute them to people that can’t afford them. For those that don’t have such an organization in their area, purchasing test strips online is a welcome alternative and no one has to travel to a foreign country to do so. It’s legal, provides substantial savings, and provides essential diabetic supplies at a discount.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Better Snacking for Diabetics

Snacks can pose a particularly difficult quandary for people with diabetes. Snacks should be healthy, provide fiber, be low in sugar, high in protein, low-fat, and have minimal carbohydrates. With that many criteria for a simple snack, it’s no wonder that people with diabetes are frustrated.

Diabetics must weigh each meal and snack choice carefully to ensure their glucose levels are at optimal levels. They must make sure they eat a bedtime snack that will maintain glucose levels overnight without climbing too high or dipping too low. It’s a constant balancing act, but there are foods that are healthy, filling, and highly portable for people on the go.

Hard boiled eggs are an excellent choice for diabetics. They’re high in protein, make people feel full quicker, and can be garnished with healthy toppings such as guacamole.

Almonds represent the first nut of choice for a diabetic snack, though nuts of all types contain healthy fats, minerals, and fiber. A handful makes a good snack on the go, can be combined with yogurt, and sprinkled in salads.

Vegetables are essential and raw veggies are even better for someone with diabetes. From avocados and carrots to broccoli and bell peppers, they provide fiber and multiple vitamins and minerals. For those that like to dip, raw veggies can be paired with hummus.

Fruits are high in sugar, but eaten in moderation they can provide a quick and delicious snack. Apples provide fiber, potassium, vitamin B and C, and can be combined with peanut butter for fiber and heathy fats.

Beef sticks aren’t something that most diabetics don’t think about when choosing a snack, but they’re highly portable, low in carbs, and high in protein.

A variety of protein bars, drinks, and snack packs that provide combinations of cheese, fruits and nuts are available for people with diabetes, but make sure they’re diabetic friendly. Many have high levels of carbs and sugars that diabetics don’t need. Each individual will need to experiment with the healthy foods they like best and how they fit into their own unique lifestyle.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Why Secondhand Test Strips are Selling so Well

Glucose test strips are critical for monitoring and managing diabetes. The test strips are necessary to ascertain if glucose levels are too low, too high, if insulin should be administered and how much. Whether purchasing them over-the-counter or obtaining them through healthcare insurance, the cost can be prohibitive for many individuals. The market for secondhand test strips is booming as a result and can be attributed to multiple factors.

The Cost

High co-pays, lack of insurance, increasingly high deductibles, and insurance-determined caps on healthcare products are all working to keep diabetics from obtaining the test strips they need. Buying them over-the-counter can sometimes be less expensive, but even that option can be out of reach for people with low-incomes that often have to make a choice between paying their bills, buying groceries or having the supplies to monitor their disease.

Not Enough Strips

Doctors ascertain how many times a person needs to test, but insurance companies determine how many test strips it will pay for each month and what brand, whether or not it’s an adequate amount. Some insurers take a one-size-fits-all approach and individuals can easily find themselves without the number of test strips they need for all or part of the year.

No Interchangeability

Another complication is the type of meter device being used. Each manufacturer sells its own brand of glucose monitor and test strips that aren’t interchangeable among other brands. Manufacturers have multiple meter types and the test strips aren’t even interchangeable among different models by the same company. Some insurers only pay for specific types of test strips and that’s a serious problem if the individual must change meters.

A New Alternative

Secondhand test strips offer an affordable means to obtain the diabetic products that individuals need and purchasing secondhand test strips is entirely legal. For many people, secondhand test strips offer the only available choice for monitoring glucose levels and managing diabetes.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Don’t Overpay for Diabetic Test Strips

Diabetic test strips are an absolute necessity for those with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels. High costs have led many individuals to test less often to save money, thereby putting their health at risk. What many people don’t know is that they really don’t have to overpay for their diabetic test strips.

SellYourTestStrips.com has been in business for more than 18 years, purchasing unwanted test strips and providing them at discounted prices to individuals across the U.S. that are in need. Major brands are available for numerous types of glucose meters at far less than what pharmacies are charging.

The test strips are carefully curated to ensure they have a long shelf life and purchasing them from the company is completely legal. In some instances, the company also accepts donations of glucose meters and testing solutions.

The high cost of diabetic supplies has led to what’s been dubbed as “Canadian Caravans,” groups of individuals journeying to Canada to purchase insulin and other diabetic-related necessities due to lesser costs. No one needs to travel to a foreign country for their diabetic supplies, make expensive co-pays, or choose paying the bills over purchasing healthcare necessities.

Depending on the company, diabetic test strips cost manufactures approximately 15 cents to create, yet the strips often sell at prices that net pharmaceutical companies profits of up to 80 percent per box. Those with limited funds, the elderly with Medicare, and people with insurance policies that have high deductibles are often unable to afford enough test strips or any at all.

To further add to the problem, pharmacies have numerous ways to bill insurance that can save on co-pays but seldom do, while insurance companies often place a limit on the number of test strips they’ll pay for each month or the amount they will pay per year. Insurance won’t pay for test strips without a prescription and purchasing them over-the-counter is still expensive.

Diabetic test strips represent a significant cost each month, but no one has to go without the essential strips and put their health at risk. SellYourTestStrips.com offers a reputable and affordable solution that enables individuals to care for their health.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Earn Extra Cash Online, Legally!

Diabetic test strips are in high demand and if you’re one of the millions of people that find themselves accumulating a stash of unused strips, you can sell them online. Buying and selling test strips is completely legal, as long as they weren’t paid for by Medicaid or Medicare.

People accrue an excess of diabetic test strips for many reasons. Their insurance may provide more than they need or they may have prescriptions that are automatically filled whether they need them or not. Some families are left with extra strips when a loved one dies. No matter what the reason, there are reliable and reputable companies that will buy them.

The companies purchase them from individuals at a discounted price after ensuring they’re new, factory-sealed, unused, and not short-dated. SellYourTestStrips.com is a leading purchaser and reseller. Test strips are vetted to ensure their authenticity. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement for everyone concerned. Individuals earn extra money and consumers are able to buy the test strips they need at discounted pricing from the company.

The most popular and most-often used name brands of test strips are accepted and for multiple types of glucose meters. SellYourTestStrips.com provides free, no-obligation online quotes and will even pay the postage to send in the test strips.

Selling diabetic test strips is perfectly legal since they can be purchased over the counter, though test strips paid for Medicaid and Medicare can’t be resold. Taking advantage of services provided by test strip buyers and resellers also work to help other people. Those with diabetes that have limited financial resources, expensive co-pays and deductibles, or no insurance are able to obtain the glucose test strips they need to manage their disease and stay healthier.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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What’s All the Hype About Selling Test Strips?

Diabetic test strips continue to cause controversy and occupy conversations around kitchen tables in homes across the nation. One of the hot button issues surrounds selling unused or unwanted test strips and it’s a multi-faceted issue.

For those with diabetes that can’t afford the increasing costs of a healthcare product critical for keeping them alive, the solution is simple. Purchasing the diagnostic strips from any reputable source is preferable to going without them or limiting the number of times they test their glucose levels.

On the flip side of the argument, thousands if not millions of unused test strips are simply thrown away each year. There are numerous reasons including people that die and no longer need them and insurance companies that pay for more test strips than an individual may need.

Some individuals with “gold” insurance policies receive their test strips for little or no co-pay and accumulate more than they can use. They sell them to companies that in turn resell them at discount prices to those that may not be able to afford them any other way. They argue that since they pay for the insurance policy that pays for the test strips, they’re entitled to do with them as they will.

The objections to selling unused test strips are being driven by pharmaceutical firms, insurance companies, and the FDA. Pharmaceutical companies lose money each time an individual doesn’t purchase a new round of test strips. Insurance companies feel that since they paid the lion’s share of the cost, policy holders should hold onto the strips, throw them away where they’ll end up in landfills, or not accept any new refills – which is often difficult to do.

The FDA warns that unscrupulous people are reselling strips that are expired or damaged, postulating that people who purchase them are placing their health or even their life at risk. The other side of that coin is that not having enough test strips or being financially unable to purchase them also places people’s health in jeopardy.

It is completely legal to buy and sell new, unused test strips as long as Medicaid or Medicare didn’t pay for them and there are trusted online companies that make every effort to vet for quality. Consumers that decide to buy strips online should ensure the company is reputable and has been in business for a significant amount of time.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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type 1 diabetes

How to detect early signs of diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.  Therefore, it is very important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease so that you can be tested and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Every patient’s journey to their diabetes diagnosis will be different, but there are certain symptoms that are more common than others.  These include:

Increased Thirst

Diabetes is a condition where your body struggles to effectively use the insulin and sugars in your bloodstream.  This can make a dramatic difference to how hard your kidneys must work to process liquid, leaving you feeling thirstier, and having to use the restroom more often than usual.   This can trigger dehydration leaving you feeling unwell.

Increased hunger (especially after eating)

If your diabetes is left untreated and blood glucose levels remain abnormally high, glucose from the blood cannot enter the cells – due to either a lack of insulin or insulin resistance – so the body can’t convert the food you eat into energy. This, in turn, can cause a direct increase in hunger and you may struggle to feel satisfied.  This is an additional complication when it comes to the condition, as being overweight can make it harder still to maintain your blood sugar levels.

A Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth is not always a symptom of diabetes, but it could be.  The exact reason for this particular symptom is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to the high blood sugar levels that are caused by the condition.

Unexplained Weight Loss

In case you are wondering, unexplained weight loss is defined as pounds that are lost without you dieting, exercising or deliberately trying to lose weight.

In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood into the body’s cells to use as energy.  When this happens, the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, causing a reduction in overall body weight.

Fatigue

Diabetes sufferers often report feeling tired and fatigued for many months before they are diagnosed.  This could be caused either by dehydration or the fact that your body is unable to process sugar properly to give you the energy you need.

Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is another common symptom in the diagnosis of diabetes.  High levels of blood sugar pull fluid from your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. This, in turn, can affect your ability to focus. If your diabetes is not treated it could lead to a major deterioration in your vision, and in some cases, even blindness.

Headaches

Low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, can be the cause of headaches that come on suddenly.  You may or may not be feeling hungry and tired when this happens. Headaches can, of course, be caused by many other conditions including stress, viruses, and other non-threatening conditions.  You should consider that your headaches could be linked to Type 2 diabetes if they present alongside other common symptoms.

If you are concerned about any of the above symptoms or have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you should consult your physician for a diagnosis.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Does my insurance cover my diabetic supplies?

When you have a chronic condition like diabetes, the path to finding the correct insurance can be particularly hard to navigate.  While insurance providers should not be able to exclude you from purchasing private medical insurance, they can charge you higher rates than they would individuals who do not suffer from the same condition.

If you qualify for federal or state healthcare assistance, you will find that some, if not all of your Medicare requirements will be covered for the most part by the insurance that you are entitled to.

Let’s have a look at the main insurance assistance programs and how they could help:

Medicare

Medicare Part B medical insurance provides coverage for medically necessary doctor’s services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, lab tests, and preventive care.

As a diabetes patient, you will be covered for blood glucose monitors, blood glucose test strips, lancet devices, lancets, and glucose control solutions, but the amount covered will vary between patients.

If you use insulin you may be able to get up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets every three months, while patients who don’t use insulin may still be able to get up to 100 test strips and 100 lancets every three months. If your doctor says it is medically necessary, you can also get additional quantities of testing supplies.

Medicare Part B also covers insulin pumps and pump supplies (including the insulin used in the pump) for patients with specific requirements.

Medicare National Mail-Order Program for Diabetes Testing Supplies

The mail-order diabetes supplies included in the National Mail-Order Program are:

  • blood glucose test strips
  • lancets
  • lancet devices
  • batteries
  • control solution

These can be delivered to your home or collected from a local pharmacy that is enrolled in Medicare.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a state-administered health insurance program for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. Each state sets its own eligibility requirements for their program subject to federal rules.

In Florida, for example, Medicaid recipients with diabetes will receive medically necessary durable medical equipment (DMEs) and medical supplies including blood glucose meters, test strips, syringes, and lancets.

The Health Insurance Marketplace

There is a Health Insurance Marketplace available in every state, and it enables individuals to buy the health insurance products that best suit their needs.  Individuals with incomes below a certain level who do not have an offer of affordable insurance from their employer, and do not qualify for certain other types of coverage, may be eligible for financial help to purchase insurance.

Diabetic supplies will be covered under Marketplace insurance coverage, but the items covered will vary by provider.

Health Insurance for Diabetics

Diabetes is a serious, chronic condition that needs continual self-management.  When you are shopping for health insurance, it is important to ask if the plan covers the diabetes supplies, services, and prescription drugs you need, and what it costs. Look at all costs, such as the deductible and co-pays for doctor visits and each prescription drug you need.

 

Sell Us Your Test Strips

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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