[babyrn]

Has anyone noticed that in the fine print on the meter q it states "offer is for patients with diabetes?" I noticed that the last time, but I was gestational diabetic at that time, so I bought one meter. I just delivered my baby 5 weeks ago, and I am feeling a little uneasy about using the one q that I have. Technically, I have not been cleared of the diagnosis since I have not had my follow up glucose tolerance test yet, so I do plan on getting another meter. What does everyone else think about this? Any opinions/thoughts would be appreciated.

[brownie16]

I only have 1 coupon, and am giving the meter to a friend's DH who has diabetes. It is a MM, so why not give to people who can use them? Same thing, IMO.

[kreed]

I have several relatives that have diabetes and I buy these meters for them

[babyrn]

Okay, that's what I figured I would do as well since I already have a meter. Thanks.

[cocoadiva43]

I have family members that are diabetes that will get my meters...

[bewitched88]

My mom is borderline and needs to monitor. I will give her mine if I can get one. If I get more I will donate them to our local health clinic

[KAREN BUTLER]

I have family members and I also will donate so will help lots of people

[scamelo]

For anyone who has a relative or friend that is diabetic, know that you can get a free meter (not a MM) anytime easily by ordering on the net. I have pre-diabetes and have to test and have 4 free meters I never paid for just by ordering them online (no insurance needed and no coupons needed).

They make their money on the test strips.

I know this is a MM for everyone and most feel good about donating them, as they should, but if anyone knows of someone in need, tell them to check online if they don't have coupons. They are readily available for free.

[redwor]

I don't understand why they have that wording on the coupon. How are they going to enforce that? Will the cashier have to ask are you diabetic? I think it's too personal, and have no intention of answering, diabetic or not.

[standage]

Frankly I'm going to ignore that. What's next? Being sure that I have dandruff if I buy dandruff controlling shampoo? What if I'm post menopausal and I want to buy Kotex! LOL oh well, thats how I feel about it anyway!!!

[cynowlin]

If the cashier asks if you are diabetic that would be a sever violation of the HIPAA Laws!!!

[Dachshunds4]

Originally Posted by cynowlin

If the cashier asks if you are diabetic that would be a sever violation of the HIPAA Laws!!!

I was thinking this same thing. Besides, what are they gonna do?? Ask you?? And if they do, I'll say yes. While I'm not technically a diabetic, I have to follow the diet of a diabetic. And my doctor told me about a year ago that he considers me to be pre-diabetic. So.....

Even when my boys and I went to our county Health Department to get our H1N1 vaccinations last week, they asked if we were all asthmatic (which we are), but they didn't require any kind of documentation from our doc.

So, I wouldn't overthink the fine print. Now go out and grab up those MM Meters!! .....But leave some for me!!

[timmsa]

My hubby and my son both have diabetes, so that will not be a problem for me.
Now if i can just find the strips on sale.
I have 3 $20 off the 100 count strips. but they are $106.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by babyrn

Has anyone noticed that in the fine print on the meter q it states "offer is for patients with diabetes?" I noticed that the last time, but I was gestational diabetic at that time, so I bought one meter. I just delivered my baby 5 weeks ago, and I am feeling a little uneasy about using the one q that I have. Technically, I have not been cleared of the diagnosis since I have not had my follow up glucose tolerance test yet, so I do plan on getting another meter. What does everyone else think about this? Any opinions/thoughts would be appreciated.

that has been discussed in other boards BUT I don't think that is enforceable considering HIPPA laws. is the store going to ask a customer buying a meter, "are you diabetic?" most unlikely. IF Bayer wanted it strictly for diabetics, they would've requried a prescription to buy their meters. Problem solved and they can weed out those who are just buying with the coupon and RR promo. I am pretty sure they are aware of these promos going on in all drugstores so if they want to stop that, they could've done that easily. The fact they haven't, anybody is free to buy them.

The store, has the right to limit the sale of these meters if they have limited stocks. I think this is fair so that those who really need them can get the chance to buy them.

M2C.

[my sweet blessings]

A while back, I had a pharmacist ask me why I was buying several meters at CVS. I simply told him that I had gestational diabetes and had just had my baby and planned to keep an eye on my sugar levels (true!) and that my mother has diabetes (true!) and he still looked at me funny. I figure, it's none of their business what medical issues I have.

My plan for my meters is to give my mom the testing strips. She has bad diabetes and does not test very often because she cannot afford the cost of the strips. Any time I can get her a few strips, I will. My mom confided in me that not too long ago, she "checked out" from herself in a strange diabetic symptom. for days, she couldn't really talk. just spit out a word of two here and there. she was "locked in" or something. scariest thing she has EVER told me. After a couple of days, she came out of it. I don't want her to go into a diabetic coma because she can't afford the test strips to monitor her diabetes.

[mommy2huddy]

Just FYI, a cashier at Walgreen's is not bound by HIPAA laws. Medical personnel are, but not a cashier. That would be like saying your friend, neighbor, fellow church member, etc., is bound by those same laws. Not true.

[TheSoCalMom]

I think the bottom line is that the meter is going to someone who has Diabetes in the end. Even if a caregiver or a friend bought it for them. Doesn't make any difference to me.

PLUS How on earth would the cashier differentiate whether the customer has Diabetes or not. Not all people are willing to divulge that information.

[Alexdur85]

If it REALLY comes down to you have to have diabetes to use this q, I will just have my sister "buy" them all for me. I agree. In the end it goes to someONE or animal that are in need of the meters and that's all that matters.

[joshmamabear]

Originally Posted by mommy2huddy

Just FYI, a cashier at Walgreen's is not bound by HIPAA laws. Not true.

granting what you're saying is accurate,

would any cashier/pharmacy tech dare ask anyone buying the meter, "are you diabetic?". I doubt anyone would. therefore, I don't see a problem in that area.

some stores have the meters up in the pharmacy instead of regular aisles where other med supplies are, so customers have to ask a tech if they are buying one.

the problem I see is IF one would buy all of the store's stocks in separate transactions. Then, that is where they can limit the customer, if the store wants to. if the store allows it, there should be no problem.

[sarahk1237]

This is an intersting topic. I personally have Type 1 diabetes, but I don't think it is the cashier's business anyway. I won't use these meters but will donate them. Does that make it bad? All the coupon says is that it is for people with diabetes - which I have, but I don't use this brand and it doesn't say that I have to. I don't feel guilty about using these coupons. If they really wanted to enforce it, they would make it so that it is only available with a prescription. Until they do that, I think anyone that has a coupon has a right to get them. I think you have to decide for yourself whether you think this is the right thing to do but I think if you don't have diabetes but plan on donating the meter, then you shouldn't feel bad. I think the manufacturer just puts that on the coupon just to maybe get some people who don't have diabetes to not use the coupon and they figure if even a few people read that and don't get the meter, they have saved themselves some money.

[leeng]

no matter what kind of strips you have to buy they are very expensive and that is why the company dont mind giving out Q's off the test strips i'm a diabetic and those strips are outrageous priced....hardly ever on sale ...

[Mrs.Wifey]

I am technically Insulin Resistant, I don't test much but my parents who are diabetic can always use the strips. I'm actually getting the meters for the test strips that are included.

[babyrn]

Thanks for the input everyone! I did get my meter today! I appreciate all the different points of view. I was just hesitant, but the meter does go to someone who needs it eventually, so that is what is important!

[lunchablemommy]

I dought it will help defrey the costs, but you are welcome to the couple $5 off ones of the strips that I got. LMK if you want them, and I will be happy to mail them to you!
I told the pharmacist the cost of those were outrageous and he just looked at me.

Originally Posted by timmsa

My hubby and my son both have diabetes, so that will not be a problem for me.
Now if i can just find the strips on sale.
I have 3 $20 off the 100 count strips. but they are $106.

[lunchablemommy]

Originally Posted by my sweet blessings

My plan for my meters is to give my mom the testing strips. She has bad diabetes and does not test very often because she cannot afford the cost of the strips. Any time I can get her a few strips, I will. My mom confided in me that not too long ago, she "checked out" from herself in a strange diabetic symptom. for days, she couldn't really talk. just spit out a word of two here and there. she was "locked in" or something. scariest thing she has EVER told me. After a couple of days, she came out of it. I don't want her to go into a diabetic coma because she can't afford the test strips to monitor her diabetes.

That's so sad! You're such a good daughter.