by Thomas Ley
For about a decade, the AccuChek VoiceMate system by Roche Diagnostics has
been the market leader in accessible blood glucose meters for blind and visually
impaired diabetics. The VoiceMate is no longer being manufactured. Roche Diagnostics
has informed Voice of the Diabetic that they are working very hard on a follow-up
product that promises to be full of features, but it is not available yet. With
the much-anticipated introduction to the market of the Prodigy Voice talking
blood glucose meter by Diagnostic Devices Inc., a quick comparison of the features
of the two meters is useful.
It is easy to see why people are so excited about the new Prodigy Voice meter.
Feature |
Prodigy Voice |
AccuChek VoiceMate |
Size |
3.74” x 2.17” x 0.71” |
6.5”x 3”x 2.5” |
Weight |
2.6 oz (75g) |
14.5 oz. (411.06g) |
Suggested retail price for meter |
Around $85 |
Around $500 |
Suggested retail price for 50 strips |
Around $35 |
Around $50 |
Button to repeat last spoken message |
Yes |
Yes |
Size of blood sample required |
0.6 microliters |
4 microliters |
Time to produce result |
6 seconds |
30 seconds |
Spoken meter setup menus |
Yes |
Yes |
Spoken test history |
Yes, 450 readings with 7, 14, 21, 30, 60 and 90 day averages |
Yes, 150 readings; no averages |
Ear phone jack |
Yes |
Yes |
Accessible user guide |
Yes |
Yes |
FDA approved |
Yes |
Yes |
Port to connect to PC |
Yes, USB using a standard cable |
Yes, serial using a propietary cable |
Covered by Medicare Part B |
Yes |
Yes |
Many private health insurance plans will cover the cost of a talking blood glucose monitor under the durable medical equipment benefit.
Medicare part B also provides coverage for talking blood glucose monitors. Be sure you and your supplier follow all guidelines for reimbursement.
Medicare codes are: E0607, for traditional, “non-adaptive” meters, and E2100, for talking meters and/or add-on voice synthesizers, available to diabetics who are at least legally blind.
For Medicare information (in English or Spanish), call 800-633-4227, and ask
for “Durable Medical Equipment.”
About
the Author
Tom Ley has had Type 1 diabetes since he was seven and has been blind since
he was 17. He is a manager and senior software support analyst for UPS and has
a strong background in the field of accessible technology for the blind. He
is the technology writer for the Voice of the Diabetic.