My,doctor gave me a free meter and my test strips are paid completely through Medicare. I have to pay for the lancets. Medicare also takes care of my metformin. My Endochronologist changed my insulin pen from Lantus (which cost me about $188 for a box of 5 pens) to Tresiba which costs me $47for a box of 5 pens. But I now take a bit more insulin - 20 units which isnt really very high - so the box of pens only last about 10 weeks. I’m hoping your mother has an Endochronologist who is specifically able to deal with her diabetes instead of just a family physician (which I also have and is very good). ,any FP are not able to keep up with new things going in with diabetes. Please talk to the Medicare people to make sure she is not overpaying. My doctors have always given me free meters even when I was not old enough for Medicare.