Testing your Blood Glucose:

You may need to test your own blood glucose (sugar) on a regular basis to help control your diabetes. If you are eligible for Medicare, it can help pay for your diabetes supplies. For more information on how Medicare can help pay for your diabetes supplies, please call Home Medical Supplies, Inc. at 1-866-425-8900 or contact us online.

To control your diabetes, you must know your blood glucose (sugar) numbers. Testing your blood glucose is the only way to know whether your blood glucose is too high, too low, or just right.

There are two different tests to measure your blood glucose (sugar):

1. A finger-stick test you do yourself using a blood glucose (sugar) meter that measures your blood glucose at the time you test.
2. The hemoglobin A1c test (pronounced he-me-glo-bin A-one-C) measures your blood glucose control over the last 2-3 months. According to the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases), an A1c test is the best way to know if your blood glucose is under control.
   * You need both tests to get a complete picture of your blood glucose control.

1) The Finger-Stick Test:
For Testing Your Own Blood Sugar Using a Blood Glucose Meter

A finger-stick test is a simple test you can do using a blood glucose (sugar) meter to check changes in your blood glucose (sugar). The finger-stick test tells you what your blood glucose is at the time you test.

Finger-stick testing using a blood glucose meter helps you see how food, physical activity, and diabetes medicine affect your blood glucose. The readings you get from these tests can help you manage your diabetes day by day or even hour by hour. Keep a record of your test results and review it with your health care provider. Click Here to download a testing log, or find out how Liberty can help you with your Diabetes Testing Supplies.

Finger-Stick Testing Blood Glucose (Sugar) Goal:

According to the (NIDDK), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the ideal goals for most people with diabetes when finger-stick testing using a blood glucose (sugar) meter are:

• Before Meals: 80-120 mg/dl
• At Bedtime: 100-140 mg/dl

Your blood glucose goals may be different from these ideal goals. Ask your health care provider what goals are best for you.

2) The Hemoglobin A1c Test:

The hemoglobin A1c test is a simple lab test that shows the average amount of glucose (sugar) that has been in your blood over the last 2-3 months. Your health care provider does the test by taking a small sample of your blood and sending it to a lab, or this test can be conducted at your home and mailed to a certified laboratory for processing. The hemoglobin A1c test shows if your blood glucose is close to normal or too high.

Home Medical Supplies, Inc. offers an at home A1c test kit. With your doctor's prescription, you can now obtain this information using a simple finger-stick test in the comfort of your own home with our A1c test kit. It is easy, accurate, and convenient. If you qualify, Medicare covers this important test at 100%.

Hemoglobin A1c Testing Goal:

The hemoglobin A1c goal for people with diabetes is less than 7 percent. A change in your treatment plan is almost always needed if your test result is over 8 percent.

Home Medical Supplies, Inc. can help you follow the testing regimine your physician prescribed by delivering your diabetes testing supplies directly to your home with no charge for shipping.

Here's how it works: When you sign-up for our service, we will deliver the diabetes testing supplies your doctor prescribed directly to your home and, if you are eligible, we bill Medicare on your behalf. There is no up-front, out-of-pocket expense. The only thing you are responsible for is your insurance deductible and/or co-payment if it applies. When it's time to re-order your supplies, we will contact you to make sure you are not without the supplies your physician prescribed.

For more information on enrolling in Home Medical Supplies, Inc. direct-to-home delivery program please call 1-866-425-8900 or contact us online.