Frustrated!
jamie_lee80
Posts: 176 Member
I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 10 years old. I am now 32 and have never had good control, my last A1C was 11. I finally have found a gread doctor that is supportive and has prescribed an insulin pump. I got a call from the company today and am getting a medtronic minimed 530g, which was just approved by the fda. I was very excited until he told me what this was going to cost me. I have health insurance that we pay $250 a week for, for my husband and myself. I have a $500 deductible and then my insurance pays 80% after that is met. So I got the call from medtronic today and my pump is going to cost ME over $1800......and then my supplies are going to run me a few hundered dollars a quarter + the cost of my insulin! This is very frustrating to me! I am fortunate that I will be able to swing the cost of this, but what about the people that can't?
Sorry....needed to vent! This is a very expensive disease.
Sorry....needed to vent! This is a very expensive disease.
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Replies
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I hear you!
Been fortunate to be covered at work with an outstanding plan. Just had to pay tword my out of network coinsurance but all of the supplies etc are now covered 100%, and that is for both the pump and cgm.
If your in the states have you looked at what a plan throughout the ACA exchanges will run and if the coverage would be better?0 -
I have checked, it would be cheaper and better coverage, but im not eligible because my husbands employer offers coverage. I am self employed and cant buy regular healthcare.0
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I just got the Medtronic MiniMed Revel with the option to upgrade to this newest pump. I'd love to have the CGM but my Aetna coverage doesn't cover the CGM. If I want them to cover it, I'll have to set myself up for some serious lows. I'm tempted. I'll have to ask my Dr. what she thinks.
Glad you can afford it, but it sure stinks that we have to pay so much to live a relatively "normal" life.0 -
I pay that much a week for my insurance as well. Luckily, my boss knows of my situation and has me go over the coverage every year before they sign on to a plan. My Medtronic pump goes toward durable medical equipment. So, do my supplies. I have a $100 deductible on that, then 80 - 20 coverage. It's very expensive. But, my situation is two fold. My daughter is also type 1. We've both been pumping now for 14 years. She is just going on her own insurance. Her coverage is no better than mine, unfortunately.
People that have their health without issues have no idea what it's like to live on our side of the fence. Vacations?????what's that? Who can afford it when you live with this?
OK. I'm done venting!0 -
Its nice to have others that understand! Luckily medtronic offers payment plans so i was able to spread it out over 6 months. My pump arrived on Thursday- i cant wait to get trained so that I can start!0
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I was diagnosed in January of 1991 at age 8 and have also had poor control. My A1C the day I went live on my T:Slim was 14+ and I don't even remember when mine was below a 12. I have been trying to get a pump for over 10 years. I have medicaid so don't pay out of pocket for my stuff other than $2 (though having a higher copay with more options for meds would be better for me) and they told me 4 separate times that a pump wasn't medically necessary. Once I started to go blind and lost feeling in my feet and legs and after my son having birth defects because of my sugars (they loaned me a pump for my oldest but not my youngest) they allowed me to get one. I wish I could have a CGM but medicaid considers them a 'luxury' item. I don't see how anyone with diabetes could NOT have insurance. It is very frustrating dealing with cost, but in the long run you will be glad that you paid for it. In just three weeks after going live, my A1C dropped to 8.6. And I feel so much better!!
Jenn0 -
That is a great change!! I go to training and go live on Thursday! I can't wait! I was diagnosed at the age of 10, which was in February of 1991....... I am so excited to get started!0
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Still on 5 injections a day.......no pump in the future for me. Lottery could make it happen though.0
