tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311922532012-01-10T19:21:08.045-08:00Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-52976625264576824802006-11-25T08:28:00.000-08:002006-11-25T08:30:30.880-08:00

SnackWell’s Sugar-Free Lemon Creme cookies have nearly as many calories as some sugar-rich cookies. Yet until recently the box featured an American Diabetes Association logo, advertising the cookie as a “proud sponsor” of the charity’s efforts on behalf of the nation’s 21 million diabetics.Foods like the Sugar-Freedom Eskimo Pie and Frosted Shredded Wheat have also sported the American Diabetes

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-39491866802802052752006-11-22T19:25:00.001-08:002006-11-22T19:25:53.215-08:00

Type 1 DiabetesType 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body's system for fighting infection (the immune system) turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1162783776791492172006-11-05T19:23:00.000-08:002006-11-05T19:29:36.800-08:00

Article on daily life with diabetes. People may not be as familiar with type 2 diabetes as with type 1, which is also known as childhood diabetes. But actually, type 2 diabetes is the more common variety. In this type of diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the cells ignore the insulin, making it impossible for the body to use sugar, a basic fuel for the cells in the body

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1162782771893718082006-11-05T19:10:00.000-08:002006-11-05T19:12:51.900-08:00

Good artical on Self-testing equipment and supplies: Medicare Part B covered diabetes supplies: Coverage for glucose monitors, test strips, and lancets. Who is covered: All people with Medicare who have diabetes (insulin users and non-users). Medicare covers the same supplies for people with diabetes whether or not they use insulin. These include glucose testing monitors, blood

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1159851911460029572006-10-02T22:03:00.000-07:002006-10-02T22:05:12.120-07:00

From USA Today.About one in every 523 young people have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the first comprehensive assessment of the disease in Americans under 20. That places diabetes among the more common chronic illnesses of youth, the researchers report, striking 1.82 children per 1,000, compared with 1.24 per 1,000 with cancer and 120 per 1,000 with asthma.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1159751549833500252006-10-01T18:10:00.000-07:002006-10-01T18:12:29.956-07:00

Washington Post article on politicle fallout from Medicare Part D.The doughnut hole ends federal payments for a person's drug purchases once an annual spending limit is reached, resuming them only after the beneficiary has spent thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. It was one of the most contentious elements of the 2003 legislation that created the drug benefit, which was championed by the Bush

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1159682058059270822006-09-30T22:52:00.000-07:002006-09-30T22:54:18.060-07:00

Here is a artical on hypoglycemia from a diabetes testing supply company.Hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar, occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) level drops too low to provide enough energy for your body's activities. In adults or children older than 10 years, hypoglycemia is uncommon except as a side effect of diabetes treatment, but it can result from other medications or

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1159681742949607362006-09-30T22:47:00.000-07:002006-09-30T22:49:02.956-07:00

Here is a good artical about Liberty Medical - the mail order diabetes supply company.PolyMedica's main business is providing diabetes testing supplies -- namely test strips and lancets -- directly to the consumer. A smaller but rapidly growing pharmacy segment markets and sells prescription medications to diabetes patients. This segment is anticipating explosive growth from sales related to Part

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1159415438471627592006-09-27T20:49:00.000-07:002006-09-27T22:30:22.703-07:00

From the NYT's.Several new studies suggest that diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, adding to a store of evidence that links the disorders. The studies involve only Type 2 diabetes, the most common kind, which is usually related to obesity. The connection raises an ominous prospect: that increases in diabetes, a major concern in the United States and worldwide, may worsen

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1159415243240369432006-09-27T20:44:00.000-07:002006-09-27T20:47:23.253-07:00

Diabetes article in NYT about treatment.A new study finds that transplants of insulin-making cells, which reversed severe diabetes in an initial trial, have not lived up to their early promise.The patients had severe Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, in which the body lacks insulin and people must inject it several times a day to control blood sugar. They were given islet cells from

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158887994275522352006-09-21T18:18:00.000-07:002006-09-21T18:19:54.283-07:00

The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $93.50 in 2007, an increase of $5 or 5.6% from the current $88.50, CMS reported last week.The increase is less than the projected 6% increase in per capita national health spending for 2007 and the projected 7% increase for 2007 retail prescription drug spending. In addition, more than one-fourth of beneficiaries can receive assistance that

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158632607645748522006-09-18T19:21:00.000-07:002006-09-18T19:23:27.646-07:00

Here is a information article about diabetes statistics and links to some good infomation about diabetes testing and supplies.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158632448006617262006-09-18T19:19:00.000-07:002006-09-18T19:20:48.006-07:00

Poor Sleep, Poor Blood Sugar Control May Go Together, Study ShowsIf you've got type 2 diabetes, poor sleep may mean worse blood sugar control, a study shows.Hemoglobin A1c levels were worse in participants who said they got too little sleep and other participants who reported poor-quality sleep.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158632287162936812006-09-18T19:13:00.000-07:002006-09-18T19:18:07.170-07:00

Another lengthy and informative article from the New York Times about diabetes. This time they focus on India instead of New York City.The future looks only more ominous as India hurtles into the present, modernizing and urbanizing at blinding speed. Even more of its 1.1 billion people seem destined to become heavier and more vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes, a disease of high blood sugar brought on

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158110585246523202006-09-12T18:19:00.000-07:002006-09-12T18:23:05.246-07:00

Congress is once again messing things up with Medicare and seniors.The Bush administration and Republican-led Congress are headed for a political confrontation with an influential constituency: the 700,000 doctors who treat seniors in the Medicare program and are frantically trying to stave off a planned cut in their fees.The American Medical Assn. said Thursday that doctors may stop taking

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158110246976512082006-09-12T18:15:00.000-07:002006-09-12T18:17:26.976-07:00

Here is an article about preventitive methods to reduce diabetes risk.Individuals at risk for developing type 2 diabetes who are prescribed the drug metformin should stick with it, doctors say. In a large study, individuals who adhered to a metformin-based diabetes preventive strategy had a reduced risk of developing diabetes, they report.The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) investigated the

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1158110101146625292006-09-12T18:12:00.000-07:002006-09-12T18:15:01.156-07:00

Medicare will soon base its monthly premium on your income level.The basic Medicare premium will rise next year to $93.50 a month, an increase of $5 a month, the Bush administration announced Tuesday, but for the first time, higher-income beneficiaries will be required to pay a surcharge.The standard premium is lower than expected. In May and again in July, Medicare officials estimated that it

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1157593578266484642006-09-06T18:17:00.000-07:002006-09-06T18:46:22.276-07:00

An obesity pandemic threatens to overwhelm health systems around the globe with illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, experts at an international conference warned Sunday.The World Health Organization says more than 1 billion adults are overweight and 300 million of them are obese, putting them at much higher risk of diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke and some forms of

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1157503400419637002006-09-05T17:40:00.000-07:002006-09-05T17:43:20.420-07:00

Hispanics run greater risk of diabetes because of diet. About 20.8 million Americans have diabetes, which was the sixth leading cause of death in 2002, according to the American Diabetes Association. Mirroring a national trend, about 7.4 percent of Orange County residents have the disease. Diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanics and blacks. Mexican-Americans, for example, are 1.7 times

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1157503168667397142006-09-05T17:37:00.000-07:002006-09-05T17:39:28.680-07:00

Good article from the ADA about Diabetes prevention and treatment.Whether you're trying to prevent diabetes, better manage your disease or slow complications from developing, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has developed specific guidelines to help you choose the right meal plan to get you to your goals. For people who are at risk for diabetes, the guidelines call for a diet high in

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1156969228847540972006-08-30T12:59:00.000-07:002006-08-30T13:21:56.896-07:00

Medicare wants the over payments sent back to them. They are being flexible about the repayments though. There are also criminals trying to take advantage by call seniors and asking for bank information.Operators will be able to answer whether beneficiaries were affected by the glitch. They also can help people arrange to have the repayments withdrawn from their bank account and transferred

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1156729494485483872006-08-27T18:44:00.000-07:002006-08-27T18:44:54.510-07:00

On March 13, 2006, Abbott Diabetes Care of Alameda, California, announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market its FreeStyle Freedom blood glucose-monitoring system for consumer use. According to Abbott, FreeStyle Freedom measures glucose levels using 0.3 microliters of blood—“the smallest sample size required of any blood

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1156706234042957722006-08-27T12:11:00.000-07:002006-08-27T12:17:14.053-07:00

Here is an article detailing Medicare's coverage of diabetes testing supplies. Here is the basic breakdown:Product For insulin treated patients For non-insulin treated patients Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems 1 every 5 years 1 every 5 years Test Strips 100 per month 100 every 3 months Lancing Device 1 every 6 months 1 every 6 month Lancets 100 per month 100 every 3 months

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1156540769276716212006-08-25T14:14:00.000-07:002006-08-25T14:19:30.266-07:00

I always make fun of my wife about drinking pomegranate juice, but I guess she will have the last laugh. Click here for the whole article.Diabetes patients who drank pomegranate juice had a reduced risk for arteriosclerosis and a reduced uptake of "bad" cholesterol, an Israeli study finds. Technion-Israel Institute of Technology researchers had 20 subjects drink 6 ounces of pomegranate juice

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1156465724160321502006-08-24T17:19:00.000-07:002006-08-24T17:28:44.170-07:00

Here is a good article from USA Today about obesity and Medicare spending on chronic diseases like diabetes.Obesity and certain chronic conditions were major factors driving virtually all Medicare spending growth for the past 15 years, according to a new analysis of Medicare cost and patient data. The rate of obesity among Medicare patients doubled from 1987 to 2002, and spending on those

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1155924123671588752006-08-18T10:49:00.000-07:002006-08-18T20:07:22.833-07:00

The OneTouch Ultra2 Glucose Meter is getting terrific feedback from our Diabetes Supply customers at Totally Diabetes. OneTouch is also rolling out TV commercials featuring Patti LaBelle. I guess she is replacing B.B. King who was the OneTouch Ultra spokesperson.It really is a great glucose meter. I have heard nothing but positive things about it. The OneTouch Ultra2 uses to same test strips as

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1155535498993391562006-08-13T22:58:00.000-07:002006-08-13T23:07:00.420-07:00

Tips for diabetics from the Joslin Diabetes Center include:* Keep hydrated.* Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, especially if you are working or exercising outdoors. People with diabetes and other chronic diseases like heart disease are more susceptible to overheating.* Check blood glucose levels with diabetes test strips and other diabetes supplies at least four times a day, and more often if

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1155534611361644962006-08-13T22:45:00.000-07:002006-08-13T22:50:11.370-07:00

Another good article about diabetes and obsity.The Department of Health and Human Services says obesity may account for 300,000 deaths a year, making it the second-most-common preventable cause of death after cigarette smoking. It’s been linked to various diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and some cancers. Some scientists,

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1155267171382385702006-08-10T20:31:00.000-07:002006-08-10T20:32:51.393-07:00

Here is an pretty amazing chart comparing diabetes test strips and glucose meters!! I put it together myself so let me know if you see anything wrong in there.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1155261690220452282006-08-10T18:52:00.000-07:002006-08-10T19:01:30.236-07:00

Here is some excellent information for diabetics about testing your blood glucose. It also give some actions to take for insulin and non-insulin diabetes patients.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154650092915424982006-08-03T16:59:00.000-07:002006-08-03T17:08:12.973-07:00

There are now 132 co-sponsors of the Hobson-Tanner Bill. I am finally starting to be optimistic about at least passing this bill. I would prefer getting rid of the competitive bidding all together. Hopefully when Bill Thomas retires this will be on the table as well. Competitive bidding is really a disgrace to american capitalism and is hard to believe Republicans were behind it. I read the

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154494923223759902006-08-01T22:00:00.000-07:002006-08-01T22:02:03.226-07:00

Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that establishes requirements for accreditation of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers and lays the groundwork for timely implementation of the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. These new accreditation requirements will result in improved quality DMEPOS items and

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154493854262810482006-08-01T21:43:00.000-07:002006-08-01T21:44:14.270-07:00

Looks like congress has come to there senses and will not impose medicare cuts on doctors fees.It will cost billions of dollars to override required cuts in Medicare payments to doctors, but the perennial stopgap move is necessary to ensure that patients receive the health care they need, lawmakers said Tuesday.A program set up in 1997 to put the brakes on federal Medicare spending sets annual

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154389969536221992006-07-31T16:48:00.000-07:002006-07-31T23:58:05.803-07:00

Another article about the shortening of Amercians life span due to diabetes and obesity. Children who get obesity-related diabetes face a much higher risk of kidney failure and death by middle age than people who develop diabetes as adults, a study suggests.The study offers some of the first strong evidence of the consequences of the nation's growing epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in children, said

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154318550630717942006-07-30T20:58:00.000-07:002006-07-30T21:02:30.630-07:00

Here is some information on what Medicare patient has access to when it come to diabetes testing supplies. These include Glucose Meters, Test Strips, Lancets, control solution, batteries for the glucose meter and lancing devices.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154318281291104892006-07-30T20:52:00.000-07:002006-07-30T20:58:01.293-07:00

Diabetes is not just an issue in the United States. Diabetes is a growing disease around the globe especially in China and India."China has the largest number over age 20, around 39 million people, or about 2.7 percent of the adult population, the federation says. The group says India has the second-largest number of cases, with an estimated 30 million people, or about 6 percent of the adult

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154317866700615862006-07-30T20:46:00.000-07:002006-07-30T20:51:06.710-07:00

In a New York Times article, the diabetes and obesity epidemic will threaten the upward trend in life expectancy.Some worry, for example, that today’s fat children will grow up to be tomorrow’s heart disease and diabetes patients, destroying the nation’s gains in health and well-being.“It is very legitimate to be concerned about levels of overweight and obesity in kids,” said David Williamson, a

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1154126777288754212006-07-28T15:44:00.000-07:002006-07-28T15:46:17.296-07:00

Here is an excellent page about using diabetes testing supplies and glucose monitoring to control diabetes.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153511036372720672006-07-21T12:42:00.000-07:002006-07-21T12:43:56.380-07:00

Drinking coffee is linked to a reduced risk for diabetes, a new study reports, and caffeine apparently has little to do with the effect.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153451001247746552006-07-20T20:02:00.000-07:002006-07-20T20:03:21.520-07:00

With less Medicare funding for dialysis diabetes education is critical.Medicare funding per person for dialysis is at the same level as it was in 1983. This is one more reason to be vigilant about maintaining low blood glucose levels through daily monitoring and quartly testing of A1c levels."Combined with a growing elderly population more prone to kidney failure thenumber of people on dialysis

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153372423711092092006-07-19T22:13:00.000-07:002006-07-19T22:13:44.543-07:00

Pharmacists oppose Medicare rule because of diabetes supplies impact. I have read anywhere that competitive bidding is a good idea. I guess the point is to save money, but the effect on service will be dramatic."Millions of Medicare beneficiaries would face decreased access to durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and diabetes test strips, if a proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare &

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153284102613448312006-07-18T21:41:00.000-07:002006-07-18T21:52:41.693-07:00

Here is a good article on potential costly suprises concerning the new Medicare drug benefit. It is commonly refered to as the doughnut hole, where seniors are hit by a coverage gap and must pay 100% of their drug costs over $2250 until they've used $5,100 worth.

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153193334014561002006-07-17T20:28:00.000-07:002006-07-18T21:51:06.166-07:00

Premiums for Medicare Part B will be going up again next year the AP reports. The current premium is $88.50 and will be raised to at least $98.50."The elderly will face another double-digit rise in their Medicare premiums next year, resulting in monthly payments of nearly $100.The monthly premiums for supplementary medical insurance will rise from $88.50 to at least $98.40, the Bush

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153193272133681762006-07-17T20:27:00.000-07:002006-07-17T21:22:22.856-07:00

The Medicare Competitive Bidding program seems to be rolling forward but it has me throughly confused. My questions resolve around what it means for mail order companies such as ourselves. According to the latest news from Medicare, it will accept bids for the top 10 MSA except for LA, NYC in the Fall of 2006 for a yet to be determined list of HCPCS codes. So to participate in these markets a

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31192253.post-1153192952683914872006-07-17T19:56:00.000-07:002006-07-17T21:22:52.990-07:00

Another excellent article on Diabetes from The New York Times. This one examines the link between Diabetes and Alzheimer's. Once again, stressing the need to keep blood glucose levels low even among the elderly. "Several new studies suggest that diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, adding to a store of evidence that links the disorders. The studies involve only Type 2 diabetes,

Scott Cranfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616289320429070087noreply@blogger.com0