Blood glucose meter program
Preferred test strips
Effective January 1, 2026, Accu-Chek® and Contour® products will be the preferred brands of test strips for blood sugar monitoring for Independence Blue Cross prescription drug programs. Members with type 1 or 2 diabetes who use OneTouch® test strips must switch to Accu-Chek or Contour to maintain in-network coverage, as OneTouch will no longer be a preferred brand. Members may also opt to purchase OneTouch test strips out of pocket if they choose.
Transition timeline
As of January 1, 2026, patients may receive a one-time, 90-day supply of OneTouch strips in 2026 to allow time to transition to Accu-Chek or Contour glucose meter and test strips.
Prior authorization required
If your patient chooses a test strip other than Accu-Chek, Contour®, or Contour Next®, you will need to complete a prior authorization form on your patient’s behalf. If the prior authorization is not approved, the non-preferred test strips will not be a covered pharmacy benefit for your patient. He or she will be responsible for the entire cost of the test strips. If the request for the non-preferred test strips is approved, your patient will be charged the highest level of cost-sharing.
Free blood glucose meters
Accu-Chek and Contour blood glucose meters, including Contour® NEXT GEN and Contour® NEXT EZ, are available at no cost to our members.
To order a free meter from Contour, you or your patient should contact the manufacturer directly by phone or take the attached flyer to a local pharmacy. You or your patient can call the Contour Service Center at 1-800-401-8440 and use ID Code CTR-XYZ for a free meter.¹
To order a free meter from Accu-Chek, you or your patient should contact the manufacturer directly by phone or take the attached flyer to a local pharmacy. You or your patient can call the Accu-Chek Pharmacist Helpline at 1-800-657-7613 for assistance in filing a claim.¹
For more information
If your patients’ have questions about our preferred diabetic test strips and corresponding meters, please contact the pharmacy benefit manager at 1-888-678-7015.2
¹Limit one meter per person.
²Your patients' health plan uses an independent company to provide pharmacy benefit management services.