Pens and Insurance

[zodiach77]

I need some advice. I recently got a script for Novolog Pens. I thought that they were going to be a wonderful piece of equipment to help with my management. However, when I went to pick them up, the cost was out of control. The pharmacist spewed some evil venom about how the pens are a “convenience” item, and that insurance would not pick up any part of the cost. Has anyone had any luck getting your insurance to pick up the bill?


Thanks

[Funnygrl]

Pens are the same as vials of insulin on my insurance. I would be really surprised if you can't get them. Even the Brits can get pens ;)

If you can't get them though, don't feel too bad. I hated pens.

[Scratch]

I need some advice. I recently got a script for Novolog Pens. I thought that they were going to be a wonderful piece of equipment to help with my management. However, when I went to pick them up, the cost was out of control. The pharmacist spewed some evil venom about how the pens are a “convenience” item, and that insurance would not pick up any part of the cost. Has anyone had any luck getting your insurance to pick up the bill?


Thanks
That's surprising. Have you tried looking up your insurance plan's policy towards them?

Unlike Funnygrl, I've been quite happy with using the Novolog Flexpens. Not only are they more convenient than toting around syringes and vials, but I am glad to have my long-acting insulin Lantus in a vial and the Novolog in the pens because it makes the chance virtually nil of me accidentally injecting myself with the wrong insuln.

That goes a bit beyond convenience in my mind. Your pharmacist sounded like a bit of an arse.

[Jill-O]

My insurance, Anthem (Blue Cross / Blue Shield) covers my Novolog 70/30 pens just like any other prescription. I love the pens.

[palefacegirl03]

My insurance, Anthem (Blue Cross / Blue Shield) covers my Novolog 70/30 pens just like any other prescription. I love the pens.

Jill, I have Anthem BCBS too. They just approved my insulin pump.

For insulin I have drug coverage thru Caremark and they cover my Novolog pens with no problems.

[owlyn]

It really depends on your plan. I've always had my pens covered. I'd really be surprised if they aren't. Have you tried a differnt pharmacy? Maybe this guy's a jerk.

[shockme]

my opticlik pen was covered and so are my needles......hope you get it straightened out! take care,trish

[Keezheekoni]

On my plan, vials are tier 1 and pens are tier 3. Novolog vials are tier 1 and Humalog vials are tier 3. Lantus vials are tier 1, Levemir vials are tier 3. I have UHC, a California plan but covered under it through hubby's company so that we're "in network" with our providers in Washington.

It's best to either call the number on your ID card and ask, or if available go online and look up your coverage info for your plan.

[Wildbill]

What's the difference between Novolog 70/30 pens and Novolin 70/30 pens? Which is indicated in what situations?

[JediSkipdogg]

Novolin is a 70/30 mix of NPH and R.

Novolog is a mix of Novolog and..... (drawing a blank here)

[Funnygrl]

Novolin is a 70/30 mix of NPH and R.

Novolog is a mix of Novolog and..... (drawing a blank here)
They both are NPH mixes.

[Wildbill]

Interchangable then?

[JediSkipdogg]

Interchangable then?

Kinda, the problem is Novolog works twice as fast as R. So some thought has to be put into that.

[Wildbill]

Kinda, the problem is Novolog works twice as fast as R. So some thought has to be put into that.

So is there an advantage one way or the other? I know lots of people here have no use for mixed insulin but it works well for me. I use Novolin 70/30. Is there an advantage to using Novolog?

[kgm0612]

Zodiach77.........what insurance do you have?

I used pens prior to pumping and really liked them because they were convenient.........just pop on a needle tip, dail up the dose, and inject.

I switched to a pump almost 2 years ago but keep pens in the fridge as a back up. I have United Health and I pay a $5 copay for two vials of Novolog, and a $12 copay for a 5 pack of Novolog pens.

Karen

[Scratch]

So is there an advantage one way or the other? I know lots of people here have no use for mixed insulin but it works well for me. I use Novolin 70/30. Is there an advantage to using Novolog?
If you're using a basal/bolus method of MDI, I think Novolog beats the snot out of R. At least for me, Novolog has about a 3.5 hour profile of activity, whereas with the 6 hours or so of R there was always a fair amount of variability, dependent upon injection site, activity level, etc.

Having that much shorter activity profile makes it much much easier for me to regulate how much insulin I have working in my system and that's important for when I want to run.

It's your own decision of course, but you really might want to look into ditching the 70/30 mix and converting to the basal/bolus method. It's not really living normal, of course, but it's a lot closer and makes easier to enjoy foods and exercise, IMO.

[zodiach77]

Well i have both CIGNA and Kiaser and this occured at a Kiaser phram. So I will try again with CIGNA. I guess the good news is that I dont know what I am missing yet. And this may be a moot point as I am scheduled to meet with the MD to discuss pumping. but after 32 years of MDI this will be a HUGE step.

[howdysf]

Well i have both CIGNA and Kiaser and this occured at a Kiaser phram. So I will try again with CIGNA. I guess the good news is that I dont know what I am missing yet. And this may be a moot point as I am scheduled to meet with the MD to discuss pumping. but after 32 years of MDI this will be a HUGE step.

Weird.. I have Kaiser and my plan is 80/20 (I pay 20%) and they are the ones who prescribed the pen to me and filled the prescription.. I believe it was covered...

[notme]

This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. But.....then what sense does an insurance company EVER make. If you don't have pens, then you have to have syringes ....right?

Honestly, I think I would have told the pharmacist that there is NOTHING convenient about having diabetes. Keep your pens. Even if the pens were not approved by your insurance company, his response showed a lack of professionalism.