Cost of the pump compared to MDI's....

[KritterMom]

Just curious as to what you all think about how much extra you spend on pumping equipment and supplies, compared to what you spent on injections. Do you feel that overall it is a lot more expensive to have a pump? It's kind of late now for me, I start pumping in 6 days, but am just wondering. Thanks!

[tanyatype1]

We had to pay about 600 out of pocket when we first got the pump, but other than that, our medical insurance pays for it all. Yee-ha!

[Funnygrl]

I spend less. On MDI it was $10 each a month for lantus and novolog, $10 a month for strips, $10 a month for syringes.

Now I pay $15 once a month for strips, reservoirs, sets, and anything else I can think of ordering from mail order company, $20 for a 6 month supply of novolog (suppose to be 3 months, but I don't use much). I keep syringes and levemir on hand, but I haven't bought these in awhile.

[kgm0612]

Before pumping and before being referred to Focus Pharmacy, I was paying out about $96 in co-pays each month..........$55 for test strips, $24 for NPH penfills & 70/30 pens, $12 for pen tips & $5 for Metformin.

Now I only pay out a $5 a month co-pay for 2 vials of Novolog, plus my $5 for Metformin. My test strips and pump supplies cost me ZERO co-pay because Focus accepts the 80% United Healthcare pays them as full payment.


Kimmy............one more note of interest. Have your endo write your insulin script for more than one vial. The first Rx my endo wrote me was for one vial at a $12 co-pay at the time. I went through that vial the first 2 weeks because of some problems I was having with filling the reservoirs and had to pay $12 for another vial. My pharmacist told me to have him write it for 2 vials because it would still be $12. A few months after pumping, United lowered it's co-pay on Novolog to $5. Yippie!

Karen

[lelggren]

I spend more just because my insurance is so **** crappy. But, my last day at my job is tomorrow, and so we are switching to my husband's insurance. His rx plan is better than mine, so I am excited for that, and the sets and reservoirs are still 80% with his, so we are not losing anything there. I might look into this focus pharmacy though. It would be great if they would accept the 80% as full payment! That would save us a bundle and a half!! lol :)

[Rexy]

Ironically, we spend NOTHING now for supplies - and I'm not sure why - no, I'm not a dip - but here's the scoop.

Up until May 2006, hubby was on oral meds - 3 different ones. We paid $35 per 3 month prescription for each med. We also paid a co-pay (can't remember how much) for the testing supplies.

Then last May he had to go off orals and onto insulin MDI and we paid the $35 copay for the Novalog pen and $35 for the long acting insulin pen (can remember the name) and still the co-pay for test strips, etc.

When we got the pump, we were contacted by CCS pharmaceutical supply and they said that insulin, all pump supplies, all testing supplies were free. I questioned them, said I had been paying a co-pay and they said, "Not anymore". Not sure why - almost afraid to ask?!?!

Anyway, everything is way less expensive now that he is on the pump.

[KritterMom]

I like CCS but my insurance now won't cover them, so I had to find another supplier. Congrats on not having to pay anything Rexy, don't ask why, just enjoy it. lol!

[lelggren]

Rexy, do you by chance have Select Health/Intermountain Health Care insurance? If so, they have a benefit called the "injectable drug" benefit. It is a great one because it makes your insulin free :) I have only heard of that particular insurance company having this benefit, but I think that more people should have it available.

That is awesome that CCS is helping you get a better deal on your supplies :) We all know that they cost an arm and a leg, even if you do have insurance!

[rzrbks]

I envy all of you.

B/G strips are paid for---------yes, I know that's HUGE.....but anything else I pay for, Lantus and Novolog, needles for pens-----don't have to about lancets tho, I'm still on my original box given me by PCP.:congrats:

[valc3]

For me, pumping is cheaper than MDI. I have a $25.00 copay for Novolog and $25.00 copay for strips. Infusion sets. and resevoirs are covered 100%.

[JasonJayhawk]

Like valc, it would save me with my current insurance coverage to be a pumper. It would be approximately $400 to $600 savings per year (because of the co-pays for basal insulin, syringes, and pen needles for MDI, versus the co-pays just for vials of one type of insulin and 100% DME [durable medical equipment] coverage.

However, I've stuck with MDI since March '04 because I've had A1c's under 5.8% (6.0% reference scale) and with twins on the way, currently must manage significant change that can be controlled. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[poodlebone]

Pumping is actually cheaper for me. My pump and supplies are covered under DME 100%. On injections, besides the co-pay for insulin (two types) I also had co-pays for syringes & pen needles. I reused those so didn't have to get them filled often. But even the two insulin co-pays ($10 each) made it more expensive for me than pumping.

[Rexy]

Rexy, do you by chance have Select Health/Intermountain Health Care insurance? If so, they have a benefit called the "injectable drug" benefit. It is a great one because it makes your insulin free :) I have only heard of that particular insurance company having this benefit, but I think that more people should have it available.

That is awesome that CCS is helping you get a better deal on your supplies :) We all know that they cost an arm and a leg, even if you do have insurance!

No he doesn't have that insurance. Actually, he is medically diabled due to heart failure so he is on Medicare and then his secondary insurance is BC&BS through the federal government - he's medically retired from a gov job. He didn't qualify for the pump per Medicare standards, so BC&BS paid for the pump and so they are paying for the supplies - or I should say that I assume they are paying for everything - I don't actually know for sure!!!

[Mitochondria]

It works out to be about the same for me. I don't need needles anymore but I use more test strips. The actual pump supplies are covered 100%.

[lelggren]

No he doesn't have that insurance. Actually, he is medically diabled due to heart failure so he is on Medicare and then his secondary insurance is BC&BS through the federal government - he's medically retired from a gov job. He didn't qualify for the pump per Medicare standards, so BC&BS paid for the pump and so they are paying for the supplies - or I should say that I assume they are paying for everything - I don't actually know for sure!!!

Gotta love the BCBS Federal! They have great plans available :) He should be covered 100%. Medicare pays 80%, and the BCBS picks up the rest. Medicare will also pay for pump supplies at 80% if the person's C-peptide test is within a certain range (BCBS picking up the other 20%). But, sadly many people that carry the pump supplies won't bill medicare for them because they get picky on the payment of them when you buy from a 3rd party supplier.

[notme]

I think we are all forgetting one thing. While the pump supplies may be cheaper out of pocket, it is costing the insurance companies quite a bit more. In the long run we are all paying for the privilege of pumping.

I am actually paying a bit more for pumping insulin as I have a co-pay for all of my supplies. But the cost is definitely worth the outcome for me.

[xMenace]

The improved control I'm experiencing is priceless!

[sbigelow]

The improved control I'm experiencing is priceless!

No doubt. There is no way I could give myself 0.1 units with mdi.