[Diabetes-Talk] Blind Diabetes Group

Fri Jun 2 00:25:32 UTC 2017

Hello NFB DAN Friends,

I just had a great meeting with the NFB DAN New Jersey Chapter about the new Blind Diabetes Group!

The Blind Diabetes Group has a new sponsor, US Medical Supply, they are a 2017 Medicare Bid Winner, they carry the Dexcom Sensors and the Prodigy Voice Meter, and they want to provide great service for our group!   They have created a special phone line to provide extra special service to Blind Diabetes Group friends, it is 800-809-3472. 

During our meeting, the question was asked about putting blood on the Prodigy test strip. Below are some NFB resources that may provide help.

Finger Sticking Techniques    Listen Now (MP3)     (9:20) <https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Audio/Misc_2009/Bridging_The_Gap/23_Finger_Sticking_Techniques_Final.mp3> 
           by Ed Bryant

Applying Blood to the Prodigy Voice Test Strip without Sight <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/books/bridgegap_diabetes.htm#23>    Listen Now (MP3) <https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Audio/Misc_2009/Bridging_The_Gap/24_Applying_Blood_To_The_Prodigy_Voice_Test_Strip_Final.mp3>      (5:26)
      by Thomas Ley

Just a reminder, join us this Friday at 1:00 Eastern Time for our weekly Blind Diabetes Peer Support Group Conference Call. The call will be 45 minutes long and we will have blind diabetes friends join us from across the country. We will discuss the importance of Healthy Coping ( <http://media.afb.org/2104/SS_audio/Diabetes/The_Basics/10_Healthy_coping.mp3> Listen Now) (11:41) and we will discuss these issues with your peers on Friday.

To join the call on Friday 6/2/17 at 1:00pm Eastern dial 877-237-9339 Code 78. 

See you there!

Jerry Munden

980-253-0949 (m)

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamera via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, June 1, 2017 12:11 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tamera <fidano at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

So far while talking to Dexcom about this matter, I asked about buying sensors myself. He did not say either way but offered to  submit some form of  application for a box while all the medicare  issues continue.

So I am hanging with my last sensor in, and will ask when I hear back. 

Supposedly they will offer me and explanation of why  if they do not  allow me a box, but then again, it will be the hoops of getting my MD to get another RX out. So I might just try the  extending my sensor as was noted on here for  a few more days.

I inquired at Dexcom, and they do not  suggest at all keeping the sensor longer then the 7 days.

I assume I would  just  stop sensor and start warm up as one does with a new one inserted?

               Tamera

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 7:01 PM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'

Cc: Veronica Elsea

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

I consider myself quite fortunate that I have a year and a half before I'll be forced to go on Medicare. I really send hugs out to you pioneers ahead of me who are enduring the pain of setup and all of that right now. I know that some countries can't get sensors yet and some doctors who keep their sensors in longer send their extras over to people who need them. I don't know if there's any value in checking sites like tcoyd.com or not but it couldn't hurt to try. And my heart goes out to you. I am going to hang on to my current fortune and hope that things are at least reasonably smooth by the time I take my turn at the fun.

Of course, Blue Cross denied payment for my last batch of sensors because somehow someone decided that I have another insurance company. So they're not paying for anything. Hmmm, this ought to be really fun as I approach getting that new set of eyes in a month. Oh yippee!

Please keep us posted, all of you going through this foot dragging. 

Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 

To learn more, visit:

 <http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com

                Veronica Elsea, Owner

Laurel Creek Music Designs

Santa Cruz, California

Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of gary-melconian via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2017 8:05 PM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'

Cc: gary-melconian

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

Cant you look around  ands find the best price for senssors , and pay out of pocket .  

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamera via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2017 7:19 PM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' < <mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>

Cc: Tamera < <mailto:fidano at comcast.net> fidano at comcast.net>

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

I learned today Liberty diabetic supply is no longer going to  hold the contract with medicare   in supplying the G5 supplies.

Dexcom says they are waiting  on medicares coding, and then who will be contracted to distribute.

In the meantime I am on my last  sensor. So its  abit stressful but what can one do but wait and do without until?

               Tamera

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamera via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 9:58 AM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'

Cc: Tamera

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

So I went on part G, along w/my part B and D for RX. And Dexcom says Liberty diabetic supply is the place contracted by Medicare to get the G5, and if already on as I am, is to be an easier process.

Well, they are still at a standstill with supplying me, as they have been saying for 8 weeks, they are awaiting some  codes from Medicare  in order to process.

Any suggestions or updates, as I have transmitters from my last insurance who covered, and running low on the sensors  now.

               Tamera

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 8:05 PM

To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind

Cc: Eileen Scrivani

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

Tamera,

If you had coverage and have the certification to prove it, depending on your age and the state you live in you might be able to get a plan C coverage which is the Medigap coverage. It helps cover the percentage that Medicare does not pay on. I don’t think they will cover CGM’s since everything is first processed through your Medicare and the secondary seem to follow in suit.

Eileen

From: Tamera via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 8:23 PM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 

Cc: Tamera

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

Thanks, it's been why I was putting out the funds to keep my cobra with Regence, but it's a tough decision! I can do for 3 years, and having part B, but I have till April first a one shot at part F or G with no questions...

so the clock is ticking. 

Bryam told me to call Liberty mutual, they said in the past month Medicare has  accepted covering the CGM, but  the codes and criteria will not be known till April 15.

So it's a gamble..  go to Part D and G and drop  my Cobra, or  forget about anything other than part B.

You can always go down in Medicare, but once you start, you cannot go up.

I'm finding  Pharmacy coverage is off on insulin, 50% for Humalog!

So again, tough call!

Anyone dealt with Liberty, I am not sure now about  liberty mutual but its diabetes supplies.

Tamera

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 8:25 AM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'

Cc: Jamie Gurganus

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

Yes, and if they don't, I'll save you the trouble of contacting all of the suppliers.  I ended up with Diabetes Supply Center of the Midlands at 1-402-399-8444.  Hopefully, Byram can do this, since they are the supplier that I was referred to when I started all of this Medicare mess.  It was confusing, because they initially said that they could not provide my supplies.  Then, I started receiving notices from them about my need to re-order supplies.  I had already found another supplier by then, so I told them to cancel my account that was never really activated!  Insurance can really create anxiety in a person trying to find Dexcom and insulin pump suppliers when on Medicare.  

Jamie

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamera via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 10:07 AM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' < <mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>

Cc: Tamera < <mailto:fidano at comcast.net> fidano at comcast.net>

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

MY Cobra is BlueCross and I've been receiving my supplies via Byram health care. Guess next step is to see if they are billing medicare?

Thanks,

Tamera

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 4:08 AM

To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'

Cc: Jamie Gurganus

Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

Yes, that is why I had no issues getting the G5 upgrade.  My G4 was purchased when my Blue Cross was my primary.  I did have to switch from getting my supplies from Dexcom to using Diabetes Supply out of Nebbraska.

That was a challenge finding a supplier who will bill Medicare.  My husband is hoping to get a Dexcom, but he can't get one until Medicare approves them.  That is supposed to happen in April.

Will the Cobra not pay for Dexcom supplies?  You still have Blue Cross as primary, right?  Having Medicare as primary and Blue Cross as secondary was my issue with finding suppliers for both the Dexcom and my insulin pump.  

Jamie

-----Original Message-----

From: Diabetes-Talk [ <mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamera via Diabetes-Talk

Sent: Monday, March 20, 2017 11:03 PM

To:  <mailto:Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org> Diabetes-Talk at nfbnet.org

Cc: Tamera < <mailto:fidano at comcast.net> fidano at comcast.net>

Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom5

I've been with Regence Blue cross and using the Dexcom for a year now.. I went on part B in December, post divorce and  have had been paying for cobra to keep the  Regence and Dexcom.

My diabetes Doc says Medicare did  pass a law if you were on prior to Medicare they would cover it..

Anyone have  info to  support this?

I have till end of month to change over to part G if I choose but  my hesitation is my Dexcom coverage.

                Tamera

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