Wow

[Aftiel]

Just had someone from my Doctors Office call, and they made arrangements with my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield) to cover my test strips.

I was told by my last doctor that couldn't be done, and the pharmicist said the same thing.

So get this, they gave me a Accucheck Aviva meter (I was using Accucheck Active) - and they are going to ship 300 strips per month to my house.

The only cost to me is my prescription deductible of $15.00 - that is simply awesome. So $15.00 per month for all my test strips - I could do a dance right now.

Just had to share that good news with everyone, that will be a huge money savings per month.

- Aftiel

[psilocybin]

amazing..i got kicked off my insurance at 21 and didnt know it till after i was diagnosed...im hurting for cash. dont know what quite to do to tell you the truth

[rzrbks]

Ins companies are learning that if people with Diabetes test often, they'll keep better control and therefore the INs companies will have to pay less in the long run since the person with diabetes won't need a foot or kidney or eyeball cut off.

[Aftiel]

I could be waaaaaay off on this (so someone please correct me,) but I "believe" that if you don't have insurance, the Government have some programs that will help cover Diabetic supplies.

- Aftiel

[Erin]

Depends on where you are... government programs vary vastly by location.

And a few years back federal law changed so that insurance companies are REQUIRED to cover diabetes testing supplies for all people diagnosed with the big D. That's in the US anyway. So if you're fighting with your insurance company you might want to remind them of that fact.

[lelggren]

True, but you have to be practically living in a box before you can get approved for these programs. While I was still living in MN, I got kicked off my parent's ins. at 21. So, I went to apply for Medicaid and for basically any medical assistance that I could possibly get. I didn't qualify for any of them....These govt. programs are not all they are cracked up to be. And, it wasn't like I was making tons of money. I was making $7.95/hour working at a shoe store part time while going to school. I just recently got Insurance back in November, 2005. I tell you, it is hard to not have insurance for almost 2 years. I'm still paying off the medical bills that were accrued during that time. We can only hope that these programs will get better someday!


I could be waaaaaay off on this (so someone please correct me,) but I "believe" that if you don't have insurance, the Government have some programs that will help cover Diabetic supplies.

- Aftiel

[lgvincent]

Super price. I'm getting only 150 per month and I'm paying slightly more than that. I've tried to get the doctor to write a prescription for more strips but I think it would be easier for me to walk on water than for him to do that.

[gettingby]

That's super Aftiel. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I get 200 strips a month from the drug store with a $20 co-pay.

[sydneya]

Fantastic!! Especially share when things are going right. Have a good time at the dance!!

[jeggeman31]

And a few years back federal law changed so that insurance companies are REQUIRED to cover diabetes testing supplies for all people diagnosed with the big D. That's in the US anyway.

Not in all states. I think there are 3 or 4 states out of the loop, and Ohio is one of them

[JediSkipdogg]

Just had someone from my Doctors Office call, and they made arrangements with my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield) to cover my test strips.

I was told by my last doctor that couldn't be done, and the pharmicist said the same thing.

So get this, they gave me a Accucheck Aviva meter (I was using Accucheck Active) - and they are going to ship 300 strips per month to my house.

The only cost to me is my prescription deductible of $15.00 - that is simply awesome. So $15.00 per month for all my test strips - I could do a dance right now.

Just had to share that good news with everyone, that will be a huge money savings per month.

- Aftiel


Most, if not all of the major insurance companies (Anthem and Humana to name the two largest) cover testing supplies as part of their prescription package plans. You just have to figure out what level drug the brand of test strips you want are and then figure out how much you pay.

One thing you may want to look at, I know Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a mail order program. On some plans it is vastly cheeper to order by mail. I was on a plan once where the mail order was a 3 month supply, for the 1 month price. So I paid $15 every 3 months. I sure do miss that company. But you may want to look into that.

[stella117]

amazing..i got kicked off my insurance at 21 and didnt know it till after i was diagnosed...im hurting for cash. dont know what quite to do to tell you the truth
I have found if you explain your situation to your doctor, he/she will work with you to help--give you samples, etc.

Also, my CDE has given me test strips and needles. The insulin companies do have patient assistance programs. The test strip people don't, but research clinics in your area. Often they may be able to help you with supplies.

[Simon]

Just out of interest (I'm in the UK so don't really need insurance) how do you get back on insurance once you're diagnosed? Surely the insurance companies run a mile when they see a guaranteed loss coming?
Before you all get too jelous of the Brits remember our purchace tax is 17.5% and about 30% of our income goes straight on tax as well to pay for all this. Add on the extra cost associated with living on an island and it's an expensive place to live.

[Aftiel]

I did the quick math:

I WAS spending about $2,800 per year on strips.

I will now be spending $180

I am a happy Type 1 :)

- Aftiel

[kgm0612]

A friend of mine referred me to a company called Focus Pharmacy. They accept what your insurance pays as full payment and they DO NOT bill you the co-pay. www.focuspharmacy.com

I was paying out $52 a month co-pay for 400 test strips. A friend of mine has been with Focus for over 4 years and referred me to them. They took down all my insurance info and made the call to my insurance company, which is United HealthCare. Rae called me back within 30 minutes to tell me that I could purchase ALL my diabetic supplies through Focus.... test strips, meter, pump supplies.......without having to pay a monthly co-pay.
I've been ordering from them for two months and love the service that they are providing. My test strips arrive within 2 days of ordering them, and shipping is free! The best part of all.............a REAL person answers the phone every time you call the toll-free number to re-order.

Under United Healthcare's plan, I have Medco for my prescriptions. They will not allow me to fill my Rx's for insulin or any other medications that I take daily through Focus.

Just thought I'd pass this information on to anyone who may be interested.

Karen

[Erin]

Not in all states. I think there are 3 or 4 states out of the loop, and Ohio is one of them

My brain simply can't accept that! Are you SURE??!? I mean, I don't doubt that you'd know better than I would, but that is awful. I thought it was a national law. Y'all need to start writing strongly worded letters to your state congress people, and Governor.

[Erin]

Just out of interest (I'm in the UK so don't really need insurance) how do you get back on insurance once you're diagnosed? Surely the insurance companies run a mile when they see a guaranteed loss coming?
Before you all get too jelous of the Brits remember our purchace tax is 17.5% and about 30% of our income goes straight on tax as well to pay for all this. Add on the extra cost associated with living on an island and it's an expensive place to live.

Most people in the US are insured through the companies they work for. The company buys a big policy for all of their employees, and insurance rates (for the company) change based on the total usage, not usage by each individual. So, having 75% of your employees who NEVER go to the doctor balances out the 25% who have chronic conditions and who use it all the time. It's illegal to fire people or not hire them because they have a medical condition, so having diabetes really doesn't change your chances of getting insurance that way.

As far as buying your own insurance, I'd imagine it'd be hard, but not impossible. You'd probably either have a deductible (a set amount you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in) or have a limit on how much you can use (your insurance can "run out" if you go to the doc a lot) and then you have to pay out of pocket for the remainder of the year. OR you'd have comprehensive coverage, and just have really high insurance rates.

[jeggeman31]

My brain simply can't accept that! Are you SURE??!? I mean, I don't doubt that you'd know better than I would, but that is awful. I thought it was a national law. Y'all need to start writing strongly worded letters to your state congress people, and Governor.


There is 3 or 4 states that way. I am not sure of the others but Ohio is one of them. If I get time I will look on the ADA website, I am sure they are listed there someplace

[JediSkipdogg]

Just out of interest (I'm in the UK so don't really need insurance) how do you get back on insurance once you're diagnosed? Surely the insurance companies run a mile when they see a guaranteed loss coming?
Before you all get too jelous of the Brits remember our purchace tax is 17.5% and about 30% of our income goes straight on tax as well to pay for all this. Add on the extra cost associated with living on an island and it's an expensive place to live.

Erin said it pretty well about the business aspect. And for businesses, you don't have to even disclose you are diabetic upon being hired for insurance reasons. It doesn't matter either way.

As for insuring yourself if in between jobs or something. It's expensive and many times you pay what you would pay if you bought the supplies yourself. My brother is currently unemployed but his old job let him keep his health insurance on their plan as long as he pays them what they pay. Therefore he pays his old job $450 a month to stay on their insurance. He looked at getting his own insurance, and since he is diabetic they want over $800 a month. That is $9600 a year. He doesn't even use that much in supplies a year. The only advantage for him would be if he gets in the hospital for some reason because then the bills would be outrageous.

[Simon]

Blimey! Even $450 a month sounds like an arm and a leg:tongue: . To think I moan about spending about $28 a month on cover in case I become too ill to work and pay household bills.