Abbott Optium EZ Blood Glucose Test Strips

Part# 71041 (50-count)  |  Part# 71042 (100-count, foil-wrapped)  |  HCPCS: A4253  |  By Abbott Diabetes Care

TrueMeasure® Technology  |  0.6 μL Sample Volume  |  ~3–5 Second Results  |  No Coding Required  |  Alternate Site Testing Supported  |  Resists Acetaminophen & Vitamin C Interference  |  Individually Foil-Wrapped (100ct)  |  18-Month Shelf Life  |  Latex-Free  |  For Optium EZ Meter Only

Abbott Optium EZ Blood Glucose Test Strips provide fast, accurate, and convenient blood glucose monitoring with one of the smallest sample volumes available. The 0.6 microliter sample requirement minimizes the fingerstick depth and blood volume needed for each test, reducing daily discomfort for patients who test multiple times. TrueMeasure® technology delivers results in approximately 3 to 5 seconds while resisting interference from common over-the-counter substances including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and vitamin C — two of the most common sources of glucose reading error in competing strip technologies. No coding is required: insert the strip, apply the sample, and the result appears on the Optium EZ meter's large display without any manual code entry between strip lots. Supports alternate site testing from the palm, forearm, and other approved locations in addition to fingertip. Individually foil-wrapped (100-count configuration) for protection of each strip until use. 18-month shelf life. Latex-free. Available in 50-count (Part# 71041) and 100-count (Part# 71042) configurations. HCPCS A4253. For use with the Abbott Optium EZ Blood Glucose Meter only. By Abbott Diabetes Care.

Note: Abbott has issued affected-lot advisories for certain Optium EZ strip lots. Verify your lot number against current Abbott Diabetes Care advisories before use. Call Abbott customer service at 1-800-448-5234 with lot number questions, or call us at 1-866-218-0902 to confirm lot status before ordering.

Specifications

Key Features

• 0.6 μL sample volume — one of the smallest blood sample requirements available in the glucose strip category; the small fill requirement means a shallower, lighter fingerstick is sufficient for most patients, reducing the daily puncture depth and the discomfort associated with multiple daily testing; patients with poor peripheral circulation or callused fingertips who struggle to produce large blood drops can often test successfully with the Optium EZ where larger-volume strips fail
• ~3–5 second result time — results appear within approximately 3 to 5 seconds of blood application; one of the faster result times in the glucose strip category; the large display on the Optium EZ meter shows results clearly
• TrueMeasure® technology — Abbott's glucose measurement system for the Optium EZ platform; designed to provide accurate glucose readings while minimizing the effect of common interference substances
• Resists acetaminophen and vitamin C interference — acetaminophen (found in Tylenol and hundreds of combination cold, pain, and sleep products) and vitamin C (from dietary supplements and fortified foods) are among the most common causes of falsely elevated or falsely depressed glucose readings on electrochemical test strips; TrueMeasure® technology is designed to resist these interferences, providing more reliable results for patients who regularly take these supplements or medications
• No coding required — the Optium EZ meter automatically calibrates to each strip lot without the user manually entering a code number; eliminates coding errors, which are a known source of systematic glucose reading inaccuracy when the code entered does not match the current strip lot
• Alternate site testing — approved for use with blood collected from the palm, upper forearm, and other alternate sites in addition to the fingertip; reduces fingertip puncture frequency for patients who test many times daily
• Individually foil-wrapped (100-count) — each strip in the 100-count configuration is sealed in its own protective foil pouch; protects each strip from humidity, light, and air exposure until the moment of use regardless of how many times the outer box has been accessed
• 18-month shelf life | Latex-free | By Abbott Diabetes Care

Clinical FAQs

What does TrueMeasure® technology mean and how does it affect accuracy in real-world use?

TrueMeasure® is Abbott's name for the electrochemical measurement platform used in the Optium EZ strip system. Like most modern glucose strips, Optium EZ uses an amperometric electrochemical method: the strip contains an enzyme (typically glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase) that reacts with glucose in the blood sample to generate an electrical current proportional to the glucose concentration, which the meter measures and converts to a glucose value in mg/dL. The practical significance of TrueMeasure® for real-world accuracy is primarily its designed resistance to common interferents. Acetaminophen is broken down to a metabolite that can be oxidized at the same electrode potential as the glucose-enzyme reaction in many strip chemistries, producing a false positive current that reads as a falsely elevated glucose — in patients taking standard doses of acetaminophen around the clock (as many chronic pain patients do), this interference can meaningfully skew glucose readings. Similarly, high-dose vitamin C supplementation can cause interference in oxidase-based strips. TrueMeasure® chemistry is designed to minimize these effects. For patients with diabetes who also take regular acetaminophen, anticoagulants, or high-dose vitamins, the Optium EZ strip's interference resistance is a clinically meaningful accuracy advantage over strips more susceptible to these effects. For patients who do not regularly take these medications or supplements, the difference in interferent susceptibility is less practically significant.

Can the Optium EZ strips be used with the Abbott Precision Xtra or other Abbott glucose meters?

No — the Abbott Optium EZ Blood Glucose Test Strips are compatible only with the Abbott Optium EZ Blood Glucose Meter. They are not compatible with the Abbott Precision Xtra system, despite both being manufactured by Abbott. The Precision Xtra and Optium EZ platforms use different strip geometries, different electrode configurations, and different measurement algorithms calibrated to their respective strip chemistries; attempting to use Optium EZ strips with a Precision Xtra meter will either result in a strip error code, no reading, or — more concerning — an inaccurate reading if the strip physically fits but the calibration is mismatched. Each Abbott meter family requires its specific strip type. The Precision Xtra glucose strips (71000 series) are for the Precision Xtra meter; the Optium EZ strips (71041/71042) are for the Optium EZ meter. If you are unsure which strips you need for your specific meter, look at the model name printed on your meter and confirm the strip compatibility listed in the meter's user manual, or call us at 1-866-218-0902 and we can help you confirm the right strip before ordering.

What does HCPCS A4253 mean and how does it apply to insurance coverage for glucose strips?

HCPCS code A4253 designates blood glucose test or reagent strips — specifically, strips used with home blood glucose monitors. This is the standard DMEPOS billing code under which Medicare Part B and most commercial insurance plans cover replacement glucose test strips for patients with diabetes who are managing their condition with insulin or non-insulin medications. Medicare's coverage for glucose strips under A4253 varies by the patient's insulin regimen: patients using insulin are typically covered for more strips per month (up to 100 strips per month for patients testing multiple times daily on an intensive insulin regimen) than patients managing with oral medications alone. Coverage requires a physician's order, a qualifying diagnosis of diabetes, and purchase from a Medicare-enrolled DMEPOS supplier. Medical Department Store is a licensed DMEPOS supplier. The 100-count Optium EZ strips (71042) align well with monthly insurance supply orders for patients who test once to twice daily; patients on more intensive regimens may require additional quantity authorization. Call us at 1-866-218-0902 to discuss coverage for the Optium EZ strips under your specific plan and how to structure your order around your insurance benefit schedule.

Questions about Optium EZ strips, the Optium EZ meter, lot advisories, or glucose strip insurance coverage? Call our product specialists: 1-866-218-0902  |  Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–3pm EST