[Diabetes-Talk] Just The Price Please!

Sat Jan 9 15:58:19 UTC 2021

And even with that they will rarely allow 4 times a day testing and will
only give strips for 3 times a day most of the time, with continual
documentation needed.

Jeanette

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Sandi Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2021 10:23 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: sjryan2 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Just The Price Please!

Medicare's coverage is not at all a given unless, as a Type 2, you test your
blood four times per day. Then your doctor has to make a good case.

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Peter
Donahue via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, January 8, 2021 8:37 PM
To: mota1252 at gmail.com; 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
<diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: pmdonahue2 at gmail.com
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Just The Price Please!

Everyone,

	I understand that Medicare and other insurance providers will cover
the cost of these devices. That's a given. If for some reason the insurance
companies won't cover this for me I want to know how much I'll need to shell
out to buy the system and replacement sensors myself.

	Since becoming entrepreneurs we fund all of our blindness products
and services out-of-pocket and we like it that way! For us it's a form of
temper control and a way to eliminate unnecessary middle folks and makes for
less hassles when getting the products and services we as blind people need
to live the lives we want.

	The desktop computer on which I'm writing this message was paid for
with our own sweat equity not by DBS praise God! Likewise Over the past few
years Mary bought herself a desktop and two 40-cell Braille displays.

	Humana pays for my ByPAP and my oxygen concentrators. I have both a
home oxygen concentrator, (HOC) and a portable oxygen concentrator, (POC.)
Without trying to go a stray to much I like to know that if for some reason
I need to start using a GCM if the insurance company won't spring for it I
can devise a plan to cover the cost myself and be freed from having to deal
with excessive red tape.

	If someone can share pricing information for these devices for me
and others that would be very much appreciated. All the best.

Peter Donahue

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Milton
via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, January 8, 2021 4:07 PM
To: 'Peter Donahue via Diabetes-Talk' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Milton <mota1252 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] FW: dexcom Cost. Why is it so secret?

Hello Peter,

If you are on Medicare you should be checking to see if they will cover the
majority of the cost of the Dexcom G6. And, if they will cover, how much
would be out of pocket cost.

To go on a continuous glucose monitoring system you need to be testing at
least 4 times daily. Usually testing four times daily would mean that the
doctor wants to see how well you are controlling your glucose levels and if
you are having a difficult time controlling your glucose levels that is when
they have you testing 4 times daily.

It took me over a year to get Medicare to approve me for the Dexcom G6 and
now that I'm using the continuous monitor I'm doing better. I must say it
beats having to test 4 times a day. 

Check with your doctor as going on a continuous glucose monitor will require
a prescription from the doctor.

Milton

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Peter
Donahue via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, January 8, 2021 3:15 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: pmdonahue2 at gmail.com
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] dexcom Cost. Why is it so secret?

Good afternoon everyone,

	After reading about the Dexcom several nights ago I searched the
Internet for the cost of one of these systems if one bought it
out-of-pocket. I found pages discussing the cost but no actual amounts were
given. It would be helpful if the manufacturers of this equipment would post
pricing information on their Websites to allow patients who may not qualify
for inxurance coverage to obtain pricing to best determine how they can
cover the cost if bought without assistance.

	Since I have sleep apnea I went through this same nonsense when I
needed to buy a nazle pillow for my ByPAP machine. When I contacted my
insurance provider I was told that since they recently bought me a new mask
which is what the nazle pillow is I was not eligeable for an additional mask
for another year. I then asked about the cost of the nazle pillow if I were
to buy it out-of-pocket as I was in need of a different kind of BYPAP mask
and replacing it wouldn't wait. I was told that they could not give me that
information. I hung up a very unhappy camper.

	I had a similar thing happen in 2014 when I underwent an employment
evaluation for work at our local lighthouse for the blind. I learned from my
counselor at the time that the cost for the evaluation was around $300.0
something I could have paid for myself and wouldn't have had to have the
Texas Division of Blind Services involved.

	While many folks need assistance with covering the cost of this
equipment and services there are those who have decided to distance
themselves from blindness rehabilitation systems as much as possible and
cover the cost of products and services they need to manage their diabetes
and to cover other blindness and life expenses via other channels. However
we can't make these decisions if the information we need to make them isn't
readily available. Why should I involve my insurance company if I'm a
borderline diabetic and it wouldn't be covered anyway. It would be crazy if
the Dexcom is around $100.00 for the system and a small amount for
replacement sensors something I could cover out-of-pocket quite easily? It's
time companies that provide medical supplies and rehabilitative services
such as that offered by state programs for the blind make product and
service pricing freely available to allow individual consumers to determine
the best course of covering their cost. All the best.

Peter Donahue

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