[Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

Sun Aug 18 17:20:42 UTC 2013

A friend sent this to me today and I thought you folks would be interested, 
as am I. -- Bill Lewis

Subject: accessible prescriptions

http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=1&SectionID=47&DocumentID=6078
President Obama Signs Landmark Accessible Prescription Drug Label Bill
AFB Applauds White House and Congress for Protecting the Safety of Americans 
with Vision Loss

New York (July 11, 2012)On July 9, President Barack Obama signed into law 
the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which brings us 
a
step closer to ensuring Americans with vision loss have access to the 
important information on their prescription labels. The Act includes 
provisions that
establish national best practices for retail and other pharmacies to use in 
providing accessible prescription drug labeling to customers with vision 
loss.
This includes proper dosage, the name of the medication, accompanying 
information about possible side effects, and more.

"We applaud President Obama and Congress for taking this important step," 
said Carl R. Augusto, president and CEO of the American Foundation for the 
Blind
(AFB). "AFB has been working on this issue for many years and we're thrilled 
that this is now a reality."

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has long championed safe and 
effective ways to address the significant public health challenge of 
inaccessible
prescription drug labeling.
Past studies have shown
the dangers posed by the inability to access necessary instructions that 
accompany prescription and over-the-counter medications, including illness, 
emergency
room visits and the reliance upon sighted companionsor even strangers.

"The significance of this measure cannot be understated," said Mark Richert, 
Director of Public Policy at the American Foundation for the Blind. "For the
more than 20 million Americans living with vision loss, being unable to read 
drug container labels and package inserts is a scary reality."

The provisions in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act 
will serve as a valuable supplement to existing requirements under the 
Americans
with Disabilities Act and other federal and state laws imposing obligations 
on pharmacies to ensure effective communication and barrier removal for 
people
with disabilities. Whether this new legislation entails that medication 
instructions and inserts be available in large print, braille, or via an 
assistive
technology device remains to be seen.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mike Freeman
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 11:35 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

Fumble-fingers strikes again. Sorry, Kelly.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 9:09 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

Thank you, Kely.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Kelly Massaro
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 8:56 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] FW: Medicare and Solus V2

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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