[Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Tue Oct 2 03:03:51 UTC 2018

Perhaps I'm not understanding what you mean, and I apologize if this is
correct, but, you can't make up for eating carbs by eating more protein
later in a day. Carbs raise glucose levels, and only insulin, either given
naturally from the body, or via injections, can lower glucose levels.
Protein helps stabilize glucose levels but will not lower them.

This is why low-carb diets are recommended for diabetics. And certain carbs
can affect blood sugars more than other types. And, it depends on the
person. Sugar doesn't affect mine as much as pasta does. But, a friend of
mine eats a candy bar and has to take extra the amount in a bolus. I'm also
very sensitive to insulin, and I knew a woman once who had to take about 300
mls of insulin in a single day, every day because she was more insulin
resistant. It all depends. But, CGMs are helping us with a lot of this
stuff.

The only true way to control diabetes is frequent testing, whether type 1 or
type 2, but, it's even more vital for type ones. CGMs are amazing because
they not only test us frequently enough, but, they show in real-time what
carbs do to our blood sugars.

Unfortunately, insurance providers don't get this.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
Estelnalissi via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 1, 2018 8:04 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Estelnalissi <airadil at dslextreme.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Dear Veronica,

Thank you so much for mentioning the monthly cost for Dexcom sensors. I
realize the cost must vary depending on the insurance plans and their
combinations. Testing my BG isn't easy for me so Dexcom 06 sounds like a
blessed solution. Having a ball park idea of the dexcom's cost helps me
remain realistic as well as helping me to keep up the finger sticks until
the 06 is approved.

My endo's nurse practitioner has designed a system she feels is acceptable
requiring 2 sticks instead of 4 a day: once when I first get up in the
morning and then two hours after breakfast one day, lunch the next day and
supper the third day and then starting the following day after breakfast
again. After many years as a diabetic I hadn't accomplished the four tests a
day protocol. I'm more than grateful to her.

As for the Dexcom, I was thinking that if it tests fairly continually, it
would know when I go for carbs sweet ;or savory. There would be no telling
myself when I ate big carbs that I will make up for it later by eating
proteins heavily.

By the way, I cooked a recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook of 30 minute
meals for diabetics which my husband is willing to have again. It's a
skillet taco meal with 100 percent whole grain minute rice, ground beef,
corn, tomato paste, salsa, crushed tomatoes water and onions cooked in a
deep skillet. I used a dutch oven because I used more ground beef and onions
than the recipe called for. I'll share the recipe on or off list if anyone
is interested. I like it that there will be leftovers.

I don't post often, but I read almost all of the messages here with
appreciation and best wishes to all of you.

airadil at dslextreme.com

Always with love,

Lissi

-----Original Message-----
From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2018 5:33 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Hi everyone!
Well, I am now a very unhappy camper. Today I officially start on Medicare.
Boo hiss! I hereby declaire my supplemental insurance a giant waste of
money. If Medicare covers something, they will pay a little bit more. If
Medicare denies, they will too. You all probably know where this is going.
My next batch of Dexcom sensors will be paid completely out of pocket, which
is over $300 per month. But I'm not going backwards. According to Dexcom,
Medicare has officially approved the G6, but they just don't have a contract
yet. How stupid is that. The contract could be sorted out by the end of the
year. They will then have an upgrade program for Medicare recipients who are
using the G5. But it makes no sense for me to go through all the prior
authorizations and stuff to go backwards for a month or two or three. And I
can't imagine what takes six months to be written up in a contract. Is this
where they bundle it with an inaccessible meter? Is this where we could
potentially have another fight over not being required to use the receiver?
This is where someone with NFB or somewhere should be on the alert and
working with Dexcom and Medicare. But that's not happening either.
Now I get to go find out if everyone was telling me the truth about the
Omnipod. But hey, my supplemental plan would buy me a hearing aid. It's
amazing how private insurance companies have to offer continuity of care
when you change plans. But the government, nope!
Well, time to start buying lottery tickets I guess. <grin> Anyway, thanks
for listening. I'll keep you posted and I'm back to doing some research
again.
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
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

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