[Diabetes-Talk] getting the Dexcom approved by Medicare

Sat Sep 22 18:06:30 UTC 2018

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd clear up a couple of things about the Dexcom.
First, can't tell you how nervous I feel right now. I'm two weeks away from
being forced on to Medicare. I am currently using the G6 and don't intend to
go backwards. The last I heard was late fall for Medicare approval. I really
really don't understand why there is such a delay in Medicare approval for
things. I'm going to try and chase my legislators and see if Medicare
approval can't be tied to FDA approval. Man, what else is there?
Now, to the clarifications. Yes, with the G5 you calibrate, which means do a
finger stick, twice a day. With the G6, you enter a code for each sensor and
there is no calibration required. Sometimes it takes a little longer than
the two-hour warmup phase for my numbers to settle in so I often do meter
comparisons on that first day. It is so much easier to insert the sensors
for the G6. The sensor goes into your abdomen. The transmitter snaps into
the sensor and sends the readings to either the iPhone app or to the
receiver that comes with it. It's the receiver which is not accessible to
us. You change the sensor every 10 days for the G6 and every 7 for the G5
although I used to fool my G5 and get 10 days out of those sensors.
Using the Dexcom with the app, either for IOS or android is completely
accessible although I must say, the G6 app is far superior to the G5 app.
The G5 app does have some unlabeled buttons and a couple of quirky behaviors
which I'll be happy to explain to anyone who wants assistance. But if
anything goes wrong with a sensor, including, oops I messed up the tape,
Dexcom is very good at sending out a replacement. 
But I can't imagine I ran around for all those years without knowing my
number all of the time. <grin> You can set alarms to notify you of a high
glucose at a number of your choosing. You can also set one for low. It has
an urgent low at 55 mgdl. The G6 has an "urgent low soon" alarm which goes
off if it thinks you'll hit that 55 within 20 minutes so you can act sooner.
I really like this one. It has stopped the rebounding I so often got after a
low. Also, with the G6 you can take Tylenol if you wish. The G5 reacts to
the chemical and you'll get false high readings if you take the stuff. So
maybe some of these differences might be useful as some of you fight to get
it. I hope so. 
But living with the Dexcom is kind of like acquiring a new constant
companion. It's quick and easy to just go into the app and check out your
current reading. Sighted people have a graph where they can see the pattern
over the previous 24 hours. We don't have access to that yet, which is
pretty bizarre since it starts out as raw data and gets converted into a
graph for sighted users. I have been begging them for an option that would
let us get at that raw data so that we too could figure out, say, when we
got off in the middle of the night.
Also, with the Dexcom clarity app, you can look at your averages and
reports. You can also give a code to your doctor, who will then have access
to all your data for a time period you specify.
Anyway, there's your thumb nail sketch for today. Any questions, there are
several of us on this list who are now using the Dexcom successfully and
I've found their tech support to be very helpful.
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

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2018 9:44 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] getting the Dexcom approved by Medicare

My endo is doing all this for me. I don't have to contact Dexcom at all.
She's just putting the order in for me. And I'm on Medicare, which will
cover the G5 right now.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Walter
Mitchell via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2018 10:42 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Walter Mitchell <walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] getting the Dexcom approved by Medicare

Hello everyone,

I just began my attempt to get a Dexcom 3 days ago. I called in to Dexcom,
press 1 for the sales department and pressed 1 again for the Medicare
department. When I got to the sales person, she setup my profile with me and
will send it to the department that contacts my doctor and determine if I am
eligible. I am waiting for there reply now. I called the number in the
previous email, but here it is again:

877-339-2664

Veronica is correct about the information that you will need. I should hear
from them next week and I will provide an update on my progress.

Walter

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2018 8:05 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] getting the Dexcom approved by Medicare

The all-important document is that letter of medical necessity that comes
from your doctor. This is one of those times when your doctor going to bat
for you can make a huge difference. I started on the Dexcom long enough ago
that I honestly don't remember a form on the web site. If you want to talk
to someone about exactly what to do, you can call Dexcom at 877-339-2664. I
think that's where I'd start. As I think while I write, I'm guessing that
they want to know your insurance information so they can see if it would be
covered. Once you get past that bit, then you go for the doctor forms.
That's my best recall anyway. But frankly, I think a Dexcom or other brand
that may come out should be standard issue to anyone living with diabetes,
no questions asked. Too bad I don't run the world, eh?
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

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Doula Jarboe via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2018 3:25 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Doula Jarboe
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] getting the Dexcom approved by Medicare

Hi Everyone,
 I had my appointment with my endo today, and he very readily approved my
having a CGM. Now I have to log my glucose testing for a month testing 4
times a day. I've also been told there is a form on the website that I'll
need to fill out. So any tips tricks or recommendations for getting this
approved? I know this would be much more beneficial for me, especially with
working on weight loss I've had a lot of low glucose readings. Thanks so
much.
Warmly,
Doula

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