Replacing ones pump

[dpav]

Hi everyone.
I was wondering if and when we are to consider replacing our pumps. Is there a standard life expectancy?
Do we have to change at a certain age of the pumps?
Is it recommended to change our pumps at a certain time because they are no longer up to date?
Will mine work until it quits and am I suposed to wait till that time to get a replacement?

I appreciate any information. My 508 is a little over 3 years old. It is running fine so far but I see several new ones at MiniMed and there are other updated pumps on the other manufactures sites. So are our older pumps still fine to use or are we supposed to get them replaced periodically?
Thanks
Don
:) :)

[Belinda]

minimed will let you upgrade your pump. I have a 507C and the warrenty is out on it but it still works ok...buttons are getting sensitive. My doc and I have talked about an upgrade. In order for insurance to pay their share it has to be medically necessary since they bought the first one at 100 percent. It will be necessary when this one finally decides to quit. Tony and Shy both have upgraded so they can give you great info on this.

[dpav]

Thanks for the information
I'll keep my eyes open for more responces from those who may have upgraded as well.
I appreciate the information.
My pump is doing fine for now. But it gets a little weird on occation.
Don

[Shalyndria]

Minimed lets you upgrade to the new pump, within your series during the four year warranty of your current pump (as far as I'm aware). The only drawback to that is that the older models, such as the one you and Bell have, Don, aren't in the x12/17 series. Which means you couldn't upgrade to say the 512 for a couple hundred dollars :( . They will do a trade in and give you a credit for your old pump and apply that toward the purchase of a new one, though.

If your pump is working well, and meets all your needs, then I suppose it's more of a personal choice as to whether you change pumps or not. And of course what you can afford, or what your insurance is willing to pay. You're still within your 4-year warranty so if there's anything wrong with your pump make sure you're logging calls with minimed and getting replacements as required.

Shy

[David]

The warranty on my 508 will expire in December and I'm already looking at replacements. IMO It's better to get the ball rolling now than to wait and risk an out of warranty failure. I've had visits by 2 of the 3 pump makers I'm considering and have my insurance coverage verified by them. Besides Medtronic's upgrade programs, both Deltec and Animas offer a $400- $500 trade in for your old pump if you wish to go that route. I'll probably keep mine as a back up. Your doc determines if a new pump is medically necessary. In my case, the new features such as carb inputting (I'm terrible at math, so user errors are many ;) ) and the insulin on board will make for better control.
David

[Belinda]

Originally posted by David
Your doc determines if a new pump is medically necessary. In my case, the new features such as carb inputting (I'm terrible at math, so user errors are many ;) ) and the insulin on board will make for better control.
David

not sure if this is just a statement or what but ....I was told that your insurance would only purchase one pump for you...and after that you had to buy it...but if you doc says it is medically necessary then that is a whole different ball game... so my doc (seems that he loves me) will make sure I have a new pump when needed with the insurance footing the bill if at all possible...we know what happens when i am not on a pump so he had documented proof that the pump is the best for me....

[Amanda_Jo22]

Hey I'm new here and I just have a few questions...
I have a MM511 pump, and MM sent me the option of upgrading to the 512 for a fee. If I don't choose to upgrade now, will that disqualify me from upgrading again when MM comes out w/their next pump? I'm trying to decide if the fee is worth the upgrade.
I have two years left on my MM warranty. Do MM or other pump companies offer a renewal on a pump warranty once it has expired?

[Shalyndria]

Hi Amanda. First off, welcome to the Forums! This is by far the greatest group of Diabetics to be found anywhere on the web and IRL, so enjoy!

As far as I'm aware Minimed doesn't offer warranties after your four years is up. I was told by my contact at Medtronics of Canada that one does not have to upgrade consecutively within their series; meaning you can skip an upgrade and wait until the next one. However, your best bet would be to call Medtronics and ask them those questions.
Personally I have the 512 and I think that anyone with the 511 would be well-served to upgrade. It's a wonderful pump with many useful features that aren't available on the 511.

Do let us know what you decide to do. :)
Shy

[Amanda_Jo22]

Thanks Shalyndria :) I'm glad I found this place. It's great to have a place like this to connect w/other's with this disease. It can be frusterating sometimes trying to explain it to well-meaning people who don't live w/ it.

That's good to know about the upgrade. I'll ask my pump trainer when I see her about the upgrade. I've been off the pump for a while (actually I totally fell off the wagon--ended up in DKA) so my endo wants me to reconnect with her before pumping again. I'm anxious to go back on it because my BG's have been a rollercoaster on MDI (Lantus and Novolog).

Do insurance companies usually pay for a new pump or upgrade when the warrantee runs out? I've heard a lot of people talk about switching pumps after their warrantee is up.

[Shalyndria]

Originally posted by Amanda_Jo22
Do insurance companies usually pay for a new pump or upgrade when the warrantee runs out? I've heard a lot of people talk about switching pumps after their warrantee is up.
I would imagine it probably depends on your insurance company; I have heard talk from other members here from the States that your physician decides whether a new pump is medically necessary. Maybe one of them can help answer that for you. :)

I'm glad you found us! It is a real privelege to be able to interact with all the wonderful ppl here, and to know that someone can empathise with everything we experience. :D

Shy

[soremom]

I would contact your insurance company on what their policy is. Alot of companies are now letting you upgrade after your warranty is expired and paying for it, amount depending on your coverage.

I just upgrade in Aug. My company has always had bc/bs but the plan has changed so I am not sure if that makes a difference. I sent the paper work to the pump company and they submitted it to the insurance company. As far as I know, I did not have to a medical necessity form filled out. I believe they had a reply from the insurance company on how much they would pay within a week.

Kim

[Amanda_Jo22]

Thanks for your responses Shy and Kim. Kim I also have bc/bs insurance. I'm just concerned b/c we had to jump through hoops to get the pump through them. Although that was a few years ago so maybe their policies have changed. I will definatly have to find out what their policy is about upgrading.

[Belinda]

I have bc/bs too and didn't have any problems getting my first pump. Will keep you updated on what I decide to do next about the pump...(thinking I want a new one but thinking should I wait...).

[soremom]

When I was talking to the pump she asked about my insurance coverage. I said I have bc/bs PPO. She then asked my if my card said PPO on it and I read her what is say, I believe PPO Blue or something to that affect. Apparently with bc/bs it all depends on what type of coverage you have. I got the impression that with HMO's you may have more trouble getting it approved quickly. Just the vibe I got from her, she never said that.

The company I work for has several people who deal with the insurance coverage that I can ask questions to about what should be covered and what may not. Sometimes it is better to talk to them than call the insurance company and ask them. In the past I have been told wrong and then told it was my problem even though I was told right.

Just a little more background.

Kim

[dpav]

I called about the pump replacement information because they were advertising one when I called for refills of my infusion sets. They told me I could have a new one after the warranty is past from the one I have now(508) If the 508 was to mess up now they would have to replace the 508 with one like it. So after next January I can get a 712 from MiniMed and my insurance will pay the difference for it.
Thanks for all of the input information. It has been educational.
Don

[Alaska]

With my insurance company they will pay for a new pump once the warranty has expired on the one I have.

[gettingby]

:topic:
Glad to see ya Alaska.
Cin:D