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02-06-2006, 10:54 AM
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 155
| | | Wow
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 |
02-06-2006, 11:05 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada, ontario
Posts: 1,747
| | | 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 |
02-06-2006, 11:09 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1.5 | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hogwarts, Hobbiton, the Galactic Milieu &Ks when I have to be here
Posts: 4,299
| | | 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.
__________________
"I am wounded," he said, "wounded, and it will never heal."
Frodo to Samwise
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02-06-2006, 11:25 AM
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 155
| | | 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 |
02-06-2006, 11:41 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 705
| | | 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.
__________________
That would be a good thing for them to cut on my tombstone: Wherever she went, including here, it was against her better judgment.
- Dorothy Parker
T1 18 years
26 years old
Minimed Paradigm 522... yay!
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02-06-2006, 02:46 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 840
| | 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! Quote: |
Originally Posted by 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 |
__________________  Laura Anne  "Happy Day! All is well! Pumping with Paradigm 712 since November 17th, 2004 Type 1 since April, 1995 |
02-06-2006, 02:49 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The city on the edge of forever.
Posts: 4,841
| | | 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.
__________________
Brandy
My Little Princess
August 18, 1990 - May 3, 2006 
Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Lead me, save me
from my solitude . . .
Say you want me
with you ,
here beside you . . .
Anywhere you go
let me go to . . .
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that's all I ask of . . .
(you)  |
02-06-2006, 04:09 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: May 2004 Location: NC
Posts: 6,992
| |
That's super Aftiel. 
I get 200 strips a month from the drug store with a $20 co-pay.
__________________  Rest In Peace Jack- 5/1/08. You may be gone from us but you will never be forgotten. Our love goes with you. |
02-06-2006, 04:11 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia River Gorge
Posts: 1,139
| | | Fantastic!! Especially share when things are going right. Have a good time at the dance!!
__________________
" Those who wait for roast duck to fly in mouth must wait a very long time. If you need something, don't wait. Go get it."
"This one makes a net. This one sits and wishes. Can you make a bet, which one catches fishes?"
______________________
Syd--20 years Type II diabetes 18 years insulin dependent.
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02-06-2006, 04:44 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1.5 | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grove City Ohio
Posts: 2,105
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Erin 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
__________________ Jim  Diagnosed April 1990 Pumping with the Clear 722 along with the CGMS
Last A1C 7.1 ( February 2008 ) Diabetes & Endocrinology Center Of Ohio Website Proud Fan Of NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver Jimmie Johnson, Lowes #48 the 2006 AND 2007 Nextel Cup Champion. The opinions expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily represent
those of my wife who runs our house and makes more important decisions
than I do |
02-06-2006, 05:52 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 8,244
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by 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 |
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.
__________________
●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. |
02-06-2006, 06:58 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 90
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by 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 | 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. |
02-07-2006, 05:13 AM
|  | Member
I am a: Type 1.5 | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cambridge, England
Posts: 407
| | | 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.
__________________
Type 1.5 Diabetic since July 2005
Age 40
On Lantus & Novorapid
Recent A1C: 6.2% MySpace profile |
02-07-2006, 05:56 AM
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 155
| | 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 |
02-07-2006, 07:27 AM
| | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,576
| | 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  |
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