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09-11-2007, 12:26 PM
|  | Junior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego
Posts: 13
| | | Pens and Insurance
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
__________________
If it weren’t for gravity and law enforcement I’d be unstoppable. |
09-11-2007, 12:30 PM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,526
| | 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. |
09-11-2007, 12:40 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,020
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by 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 | 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. |
09-11-2007, 05:01 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spotsylvania, VA (USA)
Posts: 1,234
| | | My insurance, Anthem (Blue Cross / Blue Shield) covers my Novolog 70/30 pens just like any other prescription. I love the pens. |
09-11-2007, 05:40 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Texas
Posts: 684
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill-O 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. |
09-11-2007, 05:47 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bucks County, PA, USA
Posts: 804
| | | 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.
__________________ 
Unless otherwise stated, the opinions expressed here are my own and are in no way intended to be considered as anything other than my opinion. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
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09-11-2007, 05:53 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: illinois
Posts: 3,316
| | | my opticlik pen was covered and so are my needles......hope you get it straightened out! take care,trish
__________________  ]jan.a1c-9.2...may a1c-6.1...aug.a1c-5.8 jan.a1c 6.0  |
09-11-2007, 06:25 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kent, WA USA
Posts: 2,599
| | | 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. |
09-11-2007, 07:03 PM
|  | Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Nebraska
Posts: 158
| | | What's the difference between Novolog 70/30 pens and Novolin 70/30 pens? Which is indicated in what situations?
__________________
Wildbill
"I am wounded,
but not slain.
I will lay me down to rest awhile,
then rise and fight again".
Sir Andrew Barton
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09-11-2007, 07:15 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,235
| | | Novolin is a 70/30 mix of NPH and R.
Novolog is a mix of Novolog and..... (drawing a blank here)
__________________
●Blue Ash, Ohio Police Dispatcher
●Type 1 diabetic for 25 years (11 months old)
●Animas pumper since December of 2002
~IR 1000 (Dec. 2002-Jan. 2005)
~IR 1200 (Jan. 2005 - ?)
●LifeScan OneTouch UltraSmart Diabetes is an Art, NOT a Science. You must master the control by skills and not by knowledge alone. |
09-11-2007, 07:46 PM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,526
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg 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. |
09-11-2007, 07:47 PM
| | Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Nebraska
Posts: 158
| | | Interchangable then?
__________________
Wildbill
"I am wounded,
but not slain.
I will lay me down to rest awhile,
then rise and fight again".
Sir Andrew Barton
|
09-11-2007, 08:15 PM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,235
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildbill Interchangable then? | Kinda, the problem is Novolog works twice as fast as R. So some thought has to be put into that.
__________________
●Blue Ash, Ohio Police Dispatcher
●Type 1 diabetic for 25 years (11 months old)
●Animas pumper since December of 2002
~IR 1000 (Dec. 2002-Jan. 2005)
~IR 1200 (Jan. 2005 - ?)
●LifeScan OneTouch UltraSmart Diabetes is an Art, NOT a Science. You must master the control by skills and not by knowledge alone. |
09-11-2007, 08:25 PM
| | Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Nebraska
Posts: 158
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg 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?
__________________
Wildbill
"I am wounded,
but not slain.
I will lay me down to rest awhile,
then rise and fight again".
Sir Andrew Barton
|
09-12-2007, 06:19 AM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,540
| | | 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 |
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