Ascensia Diabetes Care inked a new relationship with UnitedHealthcare (NYSE:UNH), the company touted today, which is designed to improve access to Ascensia’s Contour Next blood glucose meters and test strips for UnitedHealthcare members.
Now, people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s employer or commercial plans can get a meter or test trip through their pharmacy benefit at a Tier 2 copay level, according to the Switzerland-based company.
Before Ascensia established its new relationship with the insurer, members could only access the Contour Next portfolio with prior authorization approved by their plan.
“We are working together with UnitedHealthcare to help their members with diabetes obtain the highly-accurate Contour Next test strips and meters so that they can effectively manage their diabetes,” Robert Schumm, VP & managing director of Ascensia’s U.S. business, said in prepared remarks. “This change will give more people the opportunity to access these products and at a reasonable cost.”
Earlier this year, Ascensia expanded its partnership with Insulet (NSDQ:PODD) to include a global commercial deal. The two companies inked a world-wide development agreement in June last year to connect Ascensia’s Contour Next One blood glucose monitor with Insulet’s next-gen Omnipod system, Omnipod Dash.
According to the terms of the non-exclusive commercial deal, Insulet plans to distribute the Contour Next One meter and test strips with the Omnipod Dash insulin delivery system.
