Not all diabetic testing supplies are equal

Disclaimer: In order to keep my exact state or location private, some names of businesses have been changed or just indicated by single letters instead if using the full name .

Yesterday when I was out picking up my pain medication at "F" I decided to go ahead and pick up test strips for the Contour Next EZ glucose monitor. My friends bought me the monitor because I needed a lancing device and it could not be purchased by itself. So they bought me the Contour Meter at CVS  for $10.00 and the first 50 testing strips. So I asked the pharmacy cashier for the price  and for a box of 100 it was around 84.00 including tax. Ummm no thanks. So after picking up medicine and alcohol prep pads at "F" we headed to Walmart. I had purchased my ReliON Prime meter there weeks ago for 16.88 and the strips for it are 9.00 for 50. So I picked up a box of 50 for the ReliOn meter. I also priced the Contour Next strips while I was there 38.88 plus tax for a box of 50. No thanks, CVS has the strips for 25.61 (including tax). I thought Walmart was supposed to be more reasonable than other places? I should of demanded a price match with CVS price. The friend who was with me was the one who bought me the Contour Next EZ so I gave her the money to pick me the strips from CVS also.  Her husband and T had got me the Contour and I felt I would come across as ungrateful if I didnt use it. I think because of the price of the strips the Contour Next EZ will be my backup monitor and travel meter.

When I updated my Facebook about these obscene prices a good friend privately messaged me. Telling me she received free meters and strips directly from the manufacturer of the meters. She gave me some links and sure enough Contour is sending me another meter free of charge in 10-14 days. Bayer (manufacturer of Contour Next EZ) like many others want you to use their products. So they send out the meters and even strips for the new meter ,so you eventually have to purchase the strips. They get their money back especially if it's your only meter.

My friend has multiple meters (most free) and uses whatever cost less that particular month in strips. She sometimes buys strips on Amazon.

My friend is like me she's self pay or uninsured.  And like me she's testing 3-4 times a day. I use around 120 strips per month, 150 this last 5 weeks.  I don't have an insurance company providing testing supplies . I'm self pay.