[Diabetes-talk] insurance not covering Prodigy test strips issue

Thu May 12 21:52:46 UTC 2016

Well who does?  LOL.  No, seriously though, I'm sometimes convinced that the 
purpose of insurance employees is to find a way to save the company money by 
finding ways to not pay even very legitimate medical claims.  It's really a 
travisty.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 10:27 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] insurance not covering Prodigy test strips 
issue

What I don't understand is that I've been getting these strips for years, 
and even placed an order this year, but now all of a sudden, they don't 
cover them? And I was assured last year things would not change with my 
coverage, but this is not the first issue I've had this year with my 
prescriptions. I also don't understand insurance at all.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
Mark Tardif via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 7:34 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Mark Tardif <markspark at roadrunner.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] insurance not covering Prodigy test strips 
issue

Expect them to fight you though, since they will always try to find a way to
get out of paying if they can.  Sorry, just my nasty, not so humble opinion.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Ley via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 10:48 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: TALey at ups.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] insurance not covering Prodigy test strips
issue

Bridgit,

I strongly suspect that if you have your endocrinologist write a
prescription for the Prodigy autocode strips and have him provide
documentation to your insurance that you have to use a fully accessible
meter, your insurance will have to cover them, even though they are not on
their formulary.

That is how I had to handle it. Large insurance companies want to get the
least expensive price for test supplies, so they contract with one company
to provide them all their meters and strips. Since the meter/strip company
is going to be selling so many to that insurance company, they give the
insurance company a better deal. For example, my insurance has the One-Touch
line only. Unless you have a medically necessary reason you can't use
One-Touch models, you don't really get a choice. But, blindness and the need
for a fully accessible meter is a reason for them to allow the exception.
Their accountants may not like it so much, but I don't think they have a
choice if the prescribing physicians provides the documentation.

Good luck,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 10:30 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Test strips and solution for Prodigy meter

This is really great info because I was just told yesterday that my
insurance does not cover the Prodigy test strips, even though they have for
several years now. So I need to find an alternative.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Jolena Foster via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2016 10:01 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jolena Foster <fosterp55 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Test strips and solution for Prodigy meter

I don't know about the recalibration and stuff like that. But I get my
strips from Maxi Aids. They come 50 strips for 16 dollars or 200 strips for
67 dollars. Check them out at www.maxiaids.com. I hope this helps.

Jolena Foster

On 5/10/16, Raul A. Gallegos via Diabetes-talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> Hello all. I just joined the list. I myself am not diabetic, but my
> girlfriend is. She uses the talking Prodigy talking meter. I am
> wondering where the best places you have found to get additional test
> strips and calibrating solution. I'm very new to all of this and so I
> want to learn as much as I can. Walgreens sells 50 strips for $60 and that
> seems like a lot.
> I found 100 strips for $33 from Amazon from a seller with great
> reputation.
> What sort of things should I watch for when purchasing test strips? I
> know they should not be expired. Also I just learned that if they are
> stored in extreme temperatures that could ruin them as well.
>
> While I am at it, are there only one kind of talking glucose meters
> for blind people to use? I have only seen the Prodigy. Lastly, how
> often should it be recalibrate do?
>
> Thanks, and my apologies if my questions seem elementary.
>
>
>
> --
> Raul A. Gallegos
> Assistive Technology Trainer
> “Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” –
> David Thornburg
>
> Voice/Text: 832.554.7285
> Office: 832.639.4477
> Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
> Work Email: training at raulgallegos.com
> Twitter: @rau47 and @AT_Trainer
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
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> 0gmail.com
>

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