| The National Retail Federation has updated its | | | | an online retailer or an auction site – to sell its |
| “Buyer Beware” list of common household items | | | | products, which means the diabetes testing supplies |
| sold through online auction sites. Certain products, | | | | are being purchased from an unidentified third party, |
| including diabetes supplies, according to the NRF, have | | | | making the quality and efficacy of the testing supplies |
| a higher than average risk of being stolen or tainted, | | | | extremely suspect. |
| and, therefore, can pose serious health risks to | | | | 2. Check the businesses credentials. Just because a |
| consumers. | | | | web site looks official or a call center sounds |
| “If consumers do not purchase diabetes supplies | | | | professional doesn’t mean it is credible. Look for |
| from a legitimate retailer, there is risk of products being | | | | accreditations like the Healthcare Quality Association |
| expired, exposed to extreme heat or cold or even | | | | on Accreditation (HQAA) that confirms the business is |
| being sent from overseas and repackaged,” said | | | | consistently operating with established quality business |
| Marc Wolf, registered pharmacist and CEO of Diabetic | | | | practices and demonstrates ethical practices. In fact, |
| Care Services. “The result can be inaccurate | | | | medical equipment providers, including those that sell |
| readings obtained from faulty testing supplies that can | | | | diabetic testing supplies, are required the Medicare |
| potentially cause a person to treat a high or low | | | | Modernization Act to be certified by a reputable |
| ineffectively. The outcome could be diabetic shock | | | | accreditation organization to serve Medicare patients. |
| or a coma.” | | | | If you are purchasing prescription medications, be sure |
| Unfortunately, hard economic times have forced more | | | | the business is a licensed pharmacy located in the |
| people with diabetes to shop and purchase testing | | | | United States. |
| supplies from illegitimate retailers. “If the price | | | | 3. Check the Better Business Bureau rating and |
| sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said | | | | confirm the company is accredited by the BBB. |
| Wolf, who has been helping diabetic patients with | | | | 4. Ask your supplier for customer referrals. Most |
| testing supplies and medications for more than 20 | | | | legitimate companies would be happy to share recent |
| years. “In fact, consumers will not achieve a cost | | | | client testimonials with you or even allow you to call a |
| savings in the long run if the diabetes supplies are | | | | few of their patients as a reference. |
| tainted and cause the patient to use more testing | | | | 5. Check with peers. There are many active diabetic |
| supplies to get an accurate reading.” | | | | blogs and communities online where you can post a |
| Purchasing diabetes supplies and medications online or | | | | question asking if anyone has had experience with a |
| by phone can be a very beneficial option for | | | | specific company that sells diabetes supplies. |
| consumers, offering convenience, competitive pricing | | | | About Diabetic Care Services Diabetic Care Services, |
| and privacy. However, it is important the retailer is a | | | | headquartered in Cleveland is one of the nation’s |
| legitimate provider. Wolf provides the following tips on | | | | leading mail order durable medical equipment suppliers |
| what to look for and what to avoid when purchasing | | | | dedicated exclusively to diabetic supplies and |
| diabetes testing supplies online or by phone. | | | | prescription medications for patients with diabetes. For |
| 1. Beware of ”discount” prices. If the prices | | | | both Medicare and private insurance customers, |
| seem significantly lower than what you paid in the past, | | | | Diabetic Care Services delivers one-stop shopping, 24 |
| call the product manufacturer and inquire about the | | | | 7 personalized customer service and free doorstep |
| quality of the diabetes supplies with that particular | | | | delivery on more than a 1,000 brand name diabetes |
| retailer. You might be shocked to discover the | | | | supplies and prescription medications. For more |
| manufacturer did not authorize the seller – whether | | | | information, call 800.633. |