Yes you do. The Special Authority is not “lifetime”, but was set up so that the doctors or nurses who prescribed the test strips for you didn't have to keep renewing the applications for you to access a Special Authority brand of test strips. Australian Customers: Please note the meter does not come with batteries inserted and time set, due to the different time zones in Australia

If you're eligible for a funded meter, and don't already have one of the funded Caresens meters, you can get a new meter from your community pharmacy before 1 August 2018. From 1 August 2018 you will have to see your general practitioner to change meters. The CareSens N Blood Glucose Monitor offers easy and accurate testing and there’s no coding required. You can continue to use the meter and test strips you have until you run out. You'll have to change to one of the 4 funded CareSens meters when you want to use funded test strips. I have a lifetime special authority for access to an alternative brand of test strips – do I have to change my meter? You can set up to four test reminders, three of which can be timed and one post meal test reminders. CareSens N Technical Information CareSens N, CareSens N POP, CareSens N Premier and CareSens Dual meters and their test strips will be Sole Supply from 1 August 2018.

CareSens N, N POP and Premier meters use the same funded glucose strips – the CareSens N test strips. CareSens Dual is compatible with CareSens PRO blood glucose strips and KetoSens blood ketone test strips. The CareSens N meets and exceeds the 2013 ISO standards for blood glucose meter accuracy with 99% of results meeting the 2013 accuracy criteria. Sample loading – avoid spoiled tests x Blood Glucose Test Strips. For the Dual meter this is PRO BGTS, for the other meters this is CareSens N BGTS. If you use any of these meters, you’ll need to change to one of the 4 funded CareSens meters and test strips. What if I haven't changed meters by 1 August 2018?

CareSens Dual meters use the funded CareSens PRO glucose test strips and KetoSens blood ketone test strips. Up to 31 July 2018, your prescriptions can be filled as usual: the Special Authority brand of test strips will be dispensed. Special Authorities for the Freestyle Optium and Accu-Chek Performa blood glucose test strips are valid until 31 July 2018. You will not need to change the meter you use but if you have Type 1 diabetes you can change to a CareSens Dual meter if you want. CareSens N Premier with bluetooth functionality and CareSens N Blood Glucose test strips – not previously fundedYou have access to Freestyle Optium blood glucose test strips through a Special Authority because you were using insulin and testing for ketones prior to 1 June 2012 All other brands of meters and test strips will be delisted from 1 August 2018 and Special Authorities for them will no longer be valid. CareSens Dual meets the ISO 15197:2013 (the international performance standard for blood glucose monitoring systems)

CareSens Dual with bluetooth functionality and CareSens PRO Blood Glucose test strips and KetoSens Blood Ketone test strips – not previously funded. From 1 August 2018pharmacists will only be able to dispense a funded meter to patients with a script from a diabetes health professional CareSens Dual meets the ISO 15197:2013 (the international performance standard for blood glucose monitoring systems)* The CareSens N blood glucose monitor is designed to be easy to use; requiring only a small sample of blood, no coding required for the test strips and an easy to read display screen. You can use blood samples taken your fingertip, palm or forearm. A small sample of blood is required and your result is displayed in less than 5 seconds.You have access to this meter through a Special Authority because you were using an Accu-Chek Combo Insulin pump prior to 1 June 2012 Meal markers can be attached to tests to show which tests were pre-meal tests and which were post-meal tests. If a person has type 1 diabetes and is using a CareSens N or CareSens N POP meter they do not have to change their meter but can change to a funded CareSens Dual meter if they want. They don't have to hand in their old meter.

From 1 August 2018 until 2022, CareSens will supply the only funded diabetes meters and associated test strips for New Zealanders to monitor and manage their own diabetes. You will need to change the meter you use. You are eligible to change to one of the funded CareSens meters. From 1 August 2018, you'll need to change to a CareSens Dual meter and test strips if you want to use a funded meter and strips. Using the latest technology, CareSens N monitors use a highly specific glucose oxidase reagent that will only measure glucose.From 1 August 2018, the CareSens II, Freestyle Optium/Neo and Accu-Chek Performa meters and their test strips will no longer be funded. Sole supply arrangement for CareSens brand products finished 30 June 2022. This does not affect the funding for meters and consumables. Meters and consumables remain funded. Funded diabetes meters and test strips The CareSens N meter features a large display and no-skid rubber pads on the meter, so it’s easy to handle.