[Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

Fri Aug 16 03:55:56 UTC 2013

Mike,

I'm still waiting on a complete list with phone numbers as we are doing
business with 17 of the 18 providers but here are two that I have readily
available as I said I'd deliver today and I'm determined to deliver
something....today.  I have 6 minutes until tomorrow so I'm typing
fast...smile

Arriva Medical	888-216-3576
United States Medical	800-787-6331

Kelly Massaro
kellym at prodigymeter.com
704-458-9400

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 10:23 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

Great! Rest up.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kelly Massaro
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 4:31 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

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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