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First, find out which blood glucose monitoring systems (meter and strips together) your health plan covers. Most health plans, including Medicare, cover a good portion of your meter and monitoring supplies. Ask your health care provider to recommend one of the covered monitoring systems. If you still aren't sure which meter to purchase, ask your pharmacist for further assistance. He or she can also help you to use your results to improve your diabetes care.

Here are some items to consider

Ease of use
If you can, try out a few meters. See which one works best for you. Can you see the screen and read the results easily? Can you easily get the drop of blood in place?

Memory
Many meters can now store hundreds of test results.

Speed
Many meters provide results in as little as five seconds.

Portability
If you carry your meter with you, make sure it's small and portable.

Alternate site testing.
If you want to get blood from a site other than your fingers, make sure the meter you buy is approved for alternate site testing. If you choose a meter that can be used on alternate sites, make sure you read the directions about the best times to use these sites.


500 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec Small
1.5 µL
No strip handling. Seventeen strips are contained in a drum, which is loaded into meter. Attachable lancet device that uses Softclix lancets. Automatic coding. Allows for alternate site testing.
480 tests,
7-, 14-, & 30-day averages
26 sec   Medium
  4 µL
Large screen with bold symbols. Easy-to-use Comfort Curve strip guides finger to target area for easy blood application. Rubber grip for easier handling.
500 tests,
7-, 14-, & 30-day averages
5 sec. Very Small
.6 µL
Easy to handle and use, with two simples steps.  Large, wide test strip fills quickly and easily. Over 150 quality checks to detect and prevent unreliable results. Allows for alternate site testing.
420 tests,
1-, 7-,
14- & 30-day averages
5 sec Small
1.0 µL
Ten individual strips in one easy-to-load disc. Single function buttons for people with limited dexterity. Received the Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. No Coding technology. Allows for alternate site testing.
480 tests,
14-day average
5 sec Very Small
0.6 µL
No Coding technology allows for fewer steps. Meal markers with post meal test reminder alarm. Large, easy to read display. Sip-in Sampling automatically draws blood into the strip. Allows for alternate site testing.
500 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec Small
1 µL
Before and after meal averages can help show the effects of food on blood glucose. Two-way scrolling buttons. Backlight makes it easy to read and operate. Allows for alternate site testing.
500 tests 5 sec Small
1 µL
Easy to use. Simple three-step testing. Very small meter. Sleek design that is easy to handle. Large, easy-to-read display
3,000 tests,
7-, 14-, 30-,
60- & 90-day averages
5 sec Small
1 µL
Automatically organizes results into onscreen chars and graphs so that you can see patterns and trends. Easy blood application. Allows for alternate site testing.
250 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec Very Small
0.3 µL
Gives accurate and precise results with the world's smallest sample size. Easy to read, with largest reading of any meter. Easy to hold. four programmable alarms remind you when to test. Allows for alternate site testing.
400 tests,
7-, 14- & 30 day averages
5 sec Very Small
0.3 µL
Small and discreet meter for testing on the go. Four programmable alarms remind you when to test. No coding required. Allows for alternate site testing.
450 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec Very Small
0.6 µL
Simple two-step testing, with easy blood application. Just insert strip, add blood and test begins. Large, easy-to-read display. Measures both blood glucose and blood ketone.
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