Re: A1c tests

Elizabeth,

There is a doctor version of the home test by Metrika.

Unfortunately, the acquisition cost of that test is more than most companies
will reimburse.

As a result, most docs either use the slower method, whether it is done in
their office, sent out, or done at a freestanding lab.

There has been discussion about creating a new CPT code to reflect the speed
of this test vs. conventional tests, but it was nixed this year. Insurors
have generally refused to allow more for the immediate testing using the
existing CPT code.

I too had some concerns about the accuracy of the rapid test. I tried it out
in my office, and it was actually pretty close to our usual method. We use
HPLC which is the 'gold standard', and Metrika was always within 0.3% of our
HPLC. (We are fortunate that our HPLC takes only 10 minutes...but you need
at least 2 or 3 docs in the group to make HPLC cost effective.) Metrika
requires no expensive equipment, and can easily be run in the office without
a lab tech.

While there is the availability of rapid A1c testing while in the office, we
probably won't see wide adoption until the extra cost is covered by insurors
and Medicare.

WCB



"Elizabeth Blake" <poodlebone@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:pUjKf.1114$S25.230@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"David" <David@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Elizabeth Blake wrote:

I was looking at the Children With Diabetes site today, and their weekly
poll asks how people get their A1c tested. Choices were things like
venous draw at lab, venous draw at doctor's office, home test kit. One
choice was fingerstick at doctor's office, and that had the biggest
response.

Is there really a fingerstick test to check A1c? Mine has always been
done though blood drawn from a vein.

--
Liz
Type1 4/1987
Yes, it's about $18 at Target. Walmart also carries it. It'a a one use
meter, called Choice
http://www.meditests.com/a1cathome.html


Yes, but this choice was doing a fingerstick at a doctor's office. I know
about the home tests, and was wondering if that's what they used at the
doctor's office, or if there was some other fancy test available to
doctor's.

I also wonder if a lot of people who picked that choice were actually
getting an a1c test done, or if the doctor was just doing a random BG
test, as most will do. I would think that most doctors would prefer to
have the test done at a lab.

--
Liz



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