switching pumps?

[grdella]

I have had a minimed 515 for about 8 months. I am very interested in the new omnipod coming out. I am planning on at least giving it a try to eliminate tubing. The issue is insurance. They bought the pump 8 months ago so I am figuring that I am on my own with the omnipod at least for the initial cost( I am hoping they will pay at least a portion of the monthly supplies). My question is, if I like the omnipod, what options do I have with ;the minimed pump? Getting some money for it would be nice to defray the new cost of the omnipod, but I know it is illegal to sell it without a prescription. Does minimed buy pumps back? Or is there a way to sell it and transfer warrranty legally, maybe through a facilitating company?
thanks in advance

[Dewey]

I have had a minimed 515 for about 8 months. I am very interested in the new omnipod coming out. I am planning on at least giving it a try to eliminate tubing. The issue is insurance. They bought the pump 8 months ago so I am figuring that I am on my own with the omnipod at least for the initial cost( I am hoping they will pay at least a portion of the monthly supplies). My question is, if I like the omnipod, what options do I have with ;the minimed pump? Getting some money for it would be nice to defray the new cost of the omnipod, but I know it is illegal to sell it without a prescription. Does minimed buy pumps back? Or is there a way to sell it and transfer warrranty legally, maybe through a facilitating company?
thanks in advance
I think if you wind up liking the OmniPod and they allow for trade-ins (which most companies do), that would off-set the price a little. The only problem is they don't usually offer a good enough price for the trade to off-set the amount owed. Perhaps if they offer payment plans, that may help? I did that with Animas, traded my 507 & got about $480 off the amount owed. On my MM512, I was offered $660 from Animas (for trade-in) & $600 from Deltec, but insurance covered most of my Deltec, so the trade knocked off what I owed.

If you went through a facilitating company, that may also help, but not sure how that works. I do know that MM doesn't like to buy pumps back, as I tried to go that route with them, & it didn't work for me. Your case may be different, but most companies are in it to make money, not lose it (or customers).

I think it's wise to give the OmniPod a trial run first. This way, if you decide you don't like it, nothing's lost. Are OmniPods now available in the US? I thought they were still pending approval by the FDA...:dontknow:

Anyway, hope some of my babble has been helpful to you and welcome aboard. :shakehand

[JediSkipdogg]

I second everything Dew said.

The problem you also need to check is to see if your insurance company covers the Omnipod. They may not cover it yet therefore you could be SOL on the supplies. Also, check with Omnipod to see if they will buy your pump from you. Like Dew said, most companies do, but with Omnipod being so new, I'm not sure if they would be willing to do that yet until they get enough of a financial stronghold in the company.

Good luck with your decision.

[Cyborg]

I know there is a new member on the forum that can't afford a pump and Medicare won't pay for one.

[JediSkipdogg]

I know there is a new member on the forum that can't afford a pump and Medicare won't pay for one.

Then who will pay for the supplies? It's a costly supply use, otherwise a good idea minus the new pumper not having the warranty and such.

[Cyborg]

Then who will pay for the supplies? It's a costly supply use, otherwise a good idea minus the new pumper not having the warranty and such.

Good point. :dontknow:

[Funnygrl]

The initial cost of the omnipod is suppose to be less than a traditional pump. I think I would prefer dealing with tubing though, rather than a fairly new company, and a pod that turns itself off after 72 hours. So I guess that is why I am waiting for my cozmo, not an omnipod.

[UpNorth]

The whole Omnipod thing scares me a bit... I think i'll stick with the slightly inconvenient tubing that gets stuck everywhere but can be disconnected, than dealing with a huge nondisconnectable *is that a word?* bump that turns itself off after 3 days:argh:

[Cyborg]

Since I wear my pump in my shirt pocket, tubing has never even been a remote issue. Auto disconnect after 72 hours, would have been!

[UpNorth]

I mostly have my pump in my jeanspocket, or clipped onto belt or bra... Only get the occasional doorknob if i have forgotten to hide the tubing under my clothes properly:laugh:
Personally i don't even see a reason to wear a big bump that can't be disconnected:dontknow: If someone wants to be able to manage bolusing without fiddling with the pump, there IS pumps with remote control:T And the tubing... well, wouldn't it be worse to wear a big bump that bumps into everything:s: at least the tubing can be hidden under the clothes, it's even possible to use sticky tape and tape it onto your body as much as possible- only leaving enough tubing to be able to look at, and handle the pump...
Guess i just don't get it :dontknow:

[grdella]

Okay, so I talked to a rep from Omnipod today. He said most insurance companies will pay for the entire thing. Some will not pay for the initial cost if they recently bought a pump for the patient. The initial cost is $800 which includes everything you need plus 2 months supply of pods. The pods are $32 each. They hold a minimum of 80 units and turn off after 72 hours but he indicated there are plenty of warnings it is running out of time. The unit has to be near the pod only to make changes, ei suspending, giving boluses, etc. You do not have to be near it otherwise once you have set your basal rates you are good to go. They can also go anywhere and insert at a 45 degree angle. From the dimensions indicated the pods are about the size of a minimed silhouette cannula and .7 inches thick. That is very small to me. Just thought I would pass on the info. I am definitely going to try it out. Seems lifechanging to me. No more pump to lug around and the same control.

[spike]

They can also go anywhere and insert at a 45 degree angle. From the dimensions indicated the pods are about the size of a minimed silhouette cannula and .7 inches thick. That is very small to me. Just thought I would pass on the info. I am definitely going to try it out. Seems lifechanging to me. No more pump to lug around and the same control.

.7" thick? Ouch! I can't stand Silhouettes--I wore one for 3 miserable hours recently, until I yanked it out due to the discomfort.

[Cyborg]

.7" thick? Ouch! I can't stand Silhouettes--I wore one for 3 miserable hours recently, until I yanked it out due to the discomfort.

Sounds like a test drive is appropriate!

[lelggren]

.7" thick? Ouch! I can't stand Silhouettes--I wore one for 3 miserable hours recently, until I yanked it out due to the discomfort.
I bit the bullet last week, and tried a silhouette, and I actually liked it! I couldn't believe it! It pinched for a second going in, but after that, It was not bad! The only thing I disliked was that the tape became so loose in the shower that I had to take it out. But, I bought tegaderm today, and so that should fix that :) But yeah, I actually found it kinda comfy.

[psilocybin]

Sounds like a test drive is appropriate!

ive never heard of these things, who are they made by?

[grdella]

I think I am being confusing when I said .7" thick. I was referring to the pod itself NOT the cannula. The silhouette cannula is 17mm long I think. The needle is long but it works better for us thin folks. The omnipod cannula is supposed to be almost pain free for insertion.

[psilocybin]

im skinny!!! is it supose to be better than the short comfort??

[kidg]

Good for you, grdella. If the Omnipod was available in Southern California, I'd probably have one already. (we don't get any of the good stuff out here...not counting weather).

I've been considering a pump for a while (been MDI for 15 years), but the tubing has always been a turn-off. My endo hooked me up to Medtronic's System Gold for 3 days last year (predecessor to the Guardian RT), and the tubing drove me nuts. I seemed to catch it on everything and couldn't wait to get rid of that thing (played basketball with it...not fun). I understand that you can hide the tubing under clothing but, isn't there anyone out there who spends time on the beach or showers at the gym after a workout and finds tubing to be an inconvienience?

I don't mean to sound all "anti-tubing" but I find it odd that no forum members find tubing as unappealing as I do. I'd be interested to hear from people who feel the same as me.

And keep me up to date on your luck with the Omnipod, grdella. At least I can experience it vicariously.

[JediSkipdogg]

Good for you, grdella. If the Omnipod was available in Southern California, I'd probably have one already. (we don't get any of the good stuff out here...not counting weather).

I've been considering a pump for a while (been MDI for 15 years), but the tubing was always a turn-off. My endo hooked me up to Medtronic's System Gold for 3 days last year (predecessor to the Guardian RT), and the tubing drove me nuts. I seemed to catch it on everything and couldn't wait to get rid of that thing (played basketball with it...not fun). I understand that you can hide the tubing under clothing but, isn't there anyone out there who spends time on the beach or showers at the gym after a workout and finds tubing to be an inconvienience?

I don't mean to sound all "anti-tubing" but I find it odd that no forum members seem to find tubing as unappealing as I do. I'd be interested to hear from people who feel the same as me.

And keep me up to date on your luck with the Omnipod, grdella. At least I can experience it vicariously.

One quick question. How do you see having a WHITE box stuck on your skin as more appealing than some tubing that is easily hidable while wearing a bathing suit? The Omnipods are almost 3/4 an inch thing and about 1.5 inches by 1 inch in size. Therefore you can't hide that in the wasteband of your pants like you can an infusion set tubing.

I think I'd choose tubing anyday over a box stuck on my skin.

[Cyborg]

:driver: Will they let you try it out before you commit to it? Some pump manufacturers let you do a test run with saline....

[kidg]

"One quick question. How do you see having a WHITE box stuck on your skin as more appealing than some tubing that is easily hidable while wearing a bathing suit? The Omnipods are almost 3/4 an inch thing and about 1.5 inches by 1 inch in size. Therefore you can't hide that in the wasteband of your pants like you can an infusion set tubing."

While I don't disagree that having a "box" attached to my body isn't a thrilling prospect, I'm simply stating that I know for a fact that, for me, tubing is a much less appealing option than needles.

My interest regarding the Omnipod is because it would provide another option for me which doesn't involve tubing. Currently, there are not enough people using it to provide useful feedback as to whether or not a "pod" is preferable to a tube or a needle. When that day comes, we may finally have enough consumer opinions to determine whether or not the "pod" does, in fact, blow.

Like I said, I'm not trying to start a debate, just trying to see if anyone else feels the way that I do.

(By the way, aside from tubing, I also refuse to listen to Depeche Mode or watch American Idol...I'm just quirky that way).

[JediSkipdogg]

(By the way, aside from tubing, I also refuse to listen to Depeche Mode or watch American Idol...I'm just quirky that way).

I have no idea what Depeche is, but I'll join you on AI. I watch some of the original shows just so I can see Simon make people cry (I somehow get a kick out of it), but after that I don't care for it.

[Cyborg]

Hey, you can always tell people that the big lump under your shirt is your third nipple! :hahaha:

[psilocybin]

Hey, you can always tell people that the big lump under your shirt is your third nipple! :hahaha:

lol why didnt i think of that!

[Shotokan]

I understand that you can hide the tubing under clothing but, isn't there anyone out there who spends time on the beach or showers at the gym after a workout and finds tubing to be an inconvienience?


Before I did a trial on the Cozmo and the Animas, I tried to get an OmniPod but it wasn't available in my area and it won't be available until next year.

Now that I've done the trials, I realize that the tubing isn't quite such a big deal for some things because, for example, I can disconnect the pump and tubing from my body and put it in my locker while I'm working out at the gym or while I'm taking a shower. Also, I can bolus and then remove it at the beach for a couple of hours. If I had an OmniPod I would not be able to "disconnect" it. If I removed it, I would have to do a full replacement.

To be honest, if the OmniPod was an option that was available to me, I would give it a try before deciding on a pump. I know that a lot of people happily wear their Pods on the back of their arms, where it doesn't show much as long as a shirt sleeve covers it.