Blood Glucose Test Strip Use: Patterns, Costs and Potential Cost Reduction Associated with Reduced Testing

Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes, using blood glucose test strips (BGTS), is an important part of disease management, and one that has significant associated costs. This report describes BGTS patterns of use and costs among older Ontarians with diabetes. Costs for BGTS use are projected for the next five years and the impact of potential cost-saving scenarios, relating to reduced test frequency, are presented.