[wastcougr]

Hello everyone,

I've been a type I diabetic for 21 years now, and next Tuesday I will FINALLY be pumping! ) It has taken me this long to decide that I wanted to do it and all of the changes that happen along with it, but I'm ready now.

My reason for joining this group of folks is just to get some more knowledge about using the pump and some of the pitfalls and successes people have had while using it.

So, here's a funny story that I'm sure you all will appreciate... Like I said, I've been diabetic for 21 years (since I was diagnosed at 13). About 7 years ago, I started new coverage with a medical insurance company. One of the first things I had to get, of course, were prescriptions for insulin, etc. etc. So, during the same visit, I had blood work drawn to test A1c, etc. Here's the funny part... A couple of weeks later, my new doctor's nurse calls me and asks me... "Did you know you were diabetic?" NO! Say it isn't SO! And here all this time I thought I was taking this clear liquid and poking my fingers a million times a day for something ELSE!

Anyway, if anyone has any "new pumper" advice, I'll be very appreciative to hear it!

Christi
Currently on 4 shots per day with Novolog and Lantus
Will be pumping on MM 722 as of next Tuesday!
Last A1c was approx 11.5%, I believe

[orange81bird]

Welcome to the forum Christi!

I have been pumping for 2 months and loving every minute of it. The people here have been wonderful so don't be afraid to ask questions and add your thoughts.

The only advice I have is to be patient.

[wastcougr]

Thanks, Heather!

One question I have for you right off the bat, is how long does one battery typically last for you? Which pump do you use?

Thanks,
Christi

[orange81bird]

I have the MM 722 with the CGMS. I actually just changed the battery today so mine last about 3-4 weeks depending on how often I am using CGMS with it. And I very rarely use the backlight

[wastcougr]

Great! Thanks! I don't have the CGMS (insurance won't cover it) but I think it would still be similar.

[Keezheekoni]

Originally Posted by wastcougr

Great! Thanks! I don't have the CGMS (insurance won't cover it) but I think it would still be similar.

Actually, since you live in WA state, your insurance is mandated to cover it...unless your insurance is a self-funded insurance, not a group (like through work) insurance.

Yes, your insurance will probably cover it as DME, but that's what your pump is covered under, so whatever your copay is for DME, that's what you'll have to pay for the CGMS.

The only caveat to getting the CGMS covered under insurance is that it has to be ordered at the same time as your pump. Insurance doesn't have to cover it if it's ordered separately.

[mortis505]

Hi Christi and welcome to DF! Trust in the Rikki, The Rikki is good. I started pumping last year with a MM522. Diagnosed in May, pumping by July. What part of eastern Wa? I used to live in Spokane.

[davef]

Christi,

Welcome to the forums, I can't help with advise on pumping, but you will find lots of people can and will help you. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Join in and have fun.

[wastcougr]

Originally Posted by Keezheekoni

Actually, since you live in WA state, your insurance is mandated to cover it...unless your insurance is a self-funded insurance, not a group (like through work) insurance.

Yes, your insurance will probably cover it as DME, but that's what your pump is covered under, so whatever your copay is for DME, that's what you'll have to pay for the CGMS.

The only caveat to getting the CGMS covered under insurance is that it has to be ordered at the same time as your pump. Insurance doesn't have to cover it if it's ordered separately.

Rikki,

I work for Washington State University so I have State benefits and health insurance through Aetna. I used to work for Group Health Cooperative, which is an insurance carrier AND provider here in this state and covering this type of DME was never mandated by any governing body. The only thing that I know of that became law was that diabetes could not be considered a "pre-existing medical condition." I'll check again, but I'd be very surprised if that turned out to be the case.

MiniMed told me that Aetna doesn't cover the CGMS when I ordered my 722. I would figure they'd be very versed in that type of thing, especially since it would mean another couple grand, I would guess...or more.

Thanks for the reply, and I'll check around - although, it probably wouldn't do much good even if it IS true.

-Christi

[wastcougr]

Originally Posted by mortis505

Hi Christi and welcome to DF! Trust in the Rikki, The Rikki is good. I started pumping last year with a MM522. Diagnosed in May, pumping by July. What part of eastern Wa? I used to live in Spokane.

Thank you! I do feel very welcome here.

I live in Colfax, and work in Pullman. Did you live in Spokane proper or one of the suburbs? When did you live here? I'd like to move to Spokane at some point, but I really like working for WSU so I'd either have to find a car that got a million miles per gallon, or get a job with WSU Spokane there at Riverfront. Who knows?

[wastcougr]

Originally Posted by davef

Christi,

Welcome to the forums, I can't help with advise on pumping, but you will find lots of people can and will help you. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Join in and have fun.

Dave,

Thank you so much for the reply. It's ok that you can't help with the pump. I'm sure you have other valuable information to share.

I can't believe how much everyone has helped me thus far - only a couple days - so I am very excited and I feel much more confident that this pump thing will work. We'll see, and hope!

[mortis505]

Originally Posted by wastcougr

Thank you! I do feel very welcome here.

I live in Colfax, and work in Pullman. Did you live in Spokane proper or one of the suburbs? When did you live here? I'd like to move to Spokane at some point, but I really like working for WSU so I'd either have to find a car that got a million miles per gallon, or get a job with WSU Spokane there at Riverfront. Who knows?

Lets see, I used to live over by Dartford, then over by Salk Jr. High off Francis St. Then My Mom had a few apartments all around Spokane. But this was back in the late 70's early 80's.

Originally Posted by wastcougr

Rikki,

I work for Washington State University so I have State benefits and health insurance through Aetna. I used to work for Group Health Cooperative, which is an insurance carrier AND provider here in this state and covering this type of DME was never mandated by any governing body. The only thing that I know of that became law was that diabetes could not be considered a "pre-existing medical condition." I'll check again, but I'd be very surprised if that turned out to be the case.

MiniMed told me that Aetna doesn't cover the CGMS when I ordered my 722. I would figure they'd be very versed in that type of thing, especially since it would mean another couple grand, I would guess...or more.

Thanks for the reply, and I'll check around - although, it probably wouldn't do much good even if it IS true.

-Christi

When I had Aetna last year, they considered CGMS still experimental and wouldn't cover it. Fight for it, get letters from your Dr.

[Keezheekoni]

Yes, you're right. With state-funded insurance, the mandates don't have to be followed. That sucks.

However, if you have Aetna here in WA, and it's not state-funded, self-insured,etc., then they do cover CGMS because the mandate states "any and all diabetes supplies as prescribed by a physician", or something to that effect. I'm looking up the law now, so I can quote it.

Okay, found it:

RCW 48.44.315: Diabetes coverage ? Definitions.

Under section 2, it states: (a) For health benefit plans that include coverage for pharmacy services, appropriate and medically necessary equipment and supplies, as prescribed by a health care provider, that includes but is not limited to insulin, syringes, injection aids, blood glucose monitors, test strips for blood glucose monitors, visual reading and urine test strips, insulin pumps and accessories to the pumps, insulin infusion devices, prescriptive oral agents for controlling blood sugar levels, foot care appliances for prevention of complications associated with diabetes, and glucagon emergency kits; and

Now, I guess UHC considers the CGMS part of the "pump accessories", since they covered it for me with no problem. I did have Aetna until July of last year and they were a major pain in my rear! They originally said they'd cover certain things and then denied them later, so I just hate Aetna all around... I'd have to agree with mortis that Aetna still probably has it listed as experimental, so they won't cover it unless you fight them like crazy. Though with your state-funded coverage, you'll probably get roadblocked at every point.

[Joee]

Welcome Christi.

I think you will love using a pump. It took me a long time to switch to one but I have been using one for three years and love it. Don't be intimidated by it. It won't take long and you will feel comfortable with it. By the way I am also from eastern Wa. Go Cougs!

Peace,

Jo

[kgm0612]

HI Christie & Welcome. Good luck pumping and be sure to let us know how it's working out for you!

Karen