[Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

Wed Aug 14 23:31:08 UTC 2013

Mike

I received your message and will provide information tomorrow as I have been training and traveling today. 

I appreciate the opportunity. 

Kelly

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 14, 2013, at 4:11 PM, "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:

> Greetings.
> 
> 
> 
> While seeking a permanent solution to the problem of obtaining accessible bg
> meters and their ancillary supplies which are covered by insurers in general
> and Medicare in particular, it occurred to me that an interim solution to
> the problem would be for both Prodigy and Biosense to publish names and
> telephone numbers of Medicare-eligible suppliers that carry their equipment.
> Accordingly, I sent an email to my contact at Biosense re the Solus V2 and
> have a telephone call into Kelly Massaro-Neal at Prodigy to obtain
> information for the Prodigy Voice. Below, please find Biosense's response.
> You will see names and telephone numbers of a number of providers who are
> reimbursable by Medicare. When I get similar information from Kelly, I will
> either publish it myself or have Kelly put it on the list since she is a
> subscriber.
> 
> 
> 
> I think Biosense is wise to proceed carefully in endorsing providers.
> However, I consider the situation sufficiently urgent that it justifies
> public disclosure of provider contact information.
> 
> 
> 
> Mike Freeman, President
> 
> Diabetes Action Network
> 
> National Federation of the Blind
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: Chris Gwaltney [mailto:chris at biosensemd.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 12:54 PM
> To: 'Mike Freeman'
> Subject: RE: Medicare and Solus V2
> 
> 
> 
> HI Mike,
> 
> 
> 
> We have taken a very thoughtful approach to who we wanted to partner with in
> the new Medicare market.  There is a lot of disparity between the bid
> winners market knowledge, capabilities, and approach.  It was equally
> important to us that we not only partner with companies that will support
> our products, but that operate in a patient-first manner.  While there are
> other bid winning companies that list SOLUS on their Medicare formulary, the
> list below is the companies that we feel best represent the previously
> stated criteria.  
> 
> 
> 
> A1 Diabetes (800) 316 - 7955
> 
> Binson's Home Health (855) 307 - 2973
> 
> Care Services (800) 633 - 7167
> 
> Diabetes Care Club (800) 955 - 9277
> 
> Home Care Delivered (866) 392 - 8040
> 
> Home Delivery Incontinent Supplies (800) 933 - 0822
> 
> Kohll's Pharmacy & Homecare (866) 414 - 9900
> 
> 
> 
> Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
> 
> 
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> CG
> 
> 
> 
> Chris Gwaltney
> 
> BioSense Medical Devices 
> 
> 6555 Sugarloaf Pkwy Suite 307-168
> 
> Duluth, GA 30097
> 
> p 678.276.7075
> 
> f 888.620.2345
> 
> chris at biosensemd.com <mailto:cgwaltney at biosensemd.com> 
> 
> www.BioSenseMD.com <http://www.biosensemd.com/> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> From: Mike Freeman [mailto:k7uij at panix.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 10:45 AM
> To: Chris Gwaltney
> Subject: Medicare and Solus V2
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Chris:
> 
> 
> 
> Beginning July 1, Medicare CMS is requiring that meter and strip providers
> go through a bidding process in order to be reimbursed by medicare and that
> Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers be the low bidder in order that
> Medicare pay for diabetes supplies. For most diabetics, of course, this is
> not a problem; while they may prefer a certain meter, they can get along
> with whatever Medicare will pay for. It's a different matter for blind and
> visually impaired persons with diabetes. In the opinion of the diabetes
> Action Network (DAN) of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), there
> are only *two* fully-accessible blood glucose meters currently being sold in
> the United States: the Solus V2 and the Prodigy Voice. The problem is that
> many suppliers of diabetes equipment are telling their blind and visually
> impaired customers who are on Medicare that they can no longer supply strips
> for the Solus V2 (Prodigy Voice users are also encountering the problem).
> 
> 
> 
> I have a suggestion for Biosense: it would behoove you to put together a
> list of suppliers of the Solus V2 and ancillary equipment (lancets, strips,
> control solution, etc.) that are currently able to supply these items via
> mail-order and which can accept Medicare payment for these supplies. I would
> publish such a list for our DAN members and other blind and visually
> impaired persons with diabetes. Incidentally, I am making the same
> suggestion to your competitor. Blind persons deserve a choice and the Solus
> V2 is a good enough meter and enough people prefer it that you would do well
> by putting together a list of suppliers that are acceptable to CMS/Medicare.
> 
> 
> 
> I look forward to your response.
> 
> 
> 
> Mike Freeman, president
> 
> Diabetes Action Network
> 
> National Federation of the Blind
> 
> 
> 
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