Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by clubkobe on July 7, 2012 at 8:17pm

That's truly unfortunate. Have you talked to Omnipod to see if they have any special discounts for people in your situation. I notice a lot of the big drug companies offer such deals. Maybe they can make it affordable for you.

Permalink Reply by suz on July 8, 2012 at 8:10pm

I am currently getting my pods from a durable medical equipment supplier. When I talked to them about my problem they said they could lower the cost from 3,000 to 1,000. That's a bit steep for my finances. I never thought of calling OmniPod itself. I will give that a try. Thank you for your suggestion.

Permalink Reply by Janet Ballone on July 8, 2012 at 3:17am

I'll be 65 in two years and I have the same concerns. I'll never be able to afford OmniPod without covered insurance. I guess everyone who reaches 65 has to go back on the needle. Doesn't make sense.

Permalink Reply by suz on July 8, 2012 at 8:17pm

My pharmacy says that there are pumps (all using tubing) that are covered by medicare. I don't want to be tied up to tubing. That's the reason I have been on OmniPod. So, for now I guess i will have to go back to the needle. Thanks...hope something changes befor U turn 65. In the meantime, emjoy all the benefits of OmniPod.

Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on July 8, 2012 at 5:29am

I was off the pod for 10 days or so and found that missing the extended bolus feature, I was giving myself A LOT of shots. You might want to split up your basal insulin also. You can use a lot of sites, that's one good thing, as opposed to the few areas that work for placing pods. You have to do all your own calculating and keep track of what you have dosed, when. Maybe you could go without the pod every once in a while, stockpiling and saving some for harder to manage times. I found it was easier to deal when I was at home.
In the meantime, let's hope that Medicare comes around or Insulet is willing to help. Good luck to you.

Permalink Reply by suz on July 8, 2012 at 8:28pm

I agree the basal calculations and temp basal features will be hard to reproduce. I don't know what can be done. I will feel like a newbee...except I will know what I could be doing if I had a pod. Hey...Maybe I could do advertisements for OmniPod. I forgot the dreaded shots. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by barbraann on July 8, 2012 at 6:51am

I have the same concerns! I've got 5 years. I can only hope that something will change for the better but when a lot of normal insurances refuse to cover the pod I have no hope that Medicare ever will, at least not while I need it. I was under the impression that Medicare will cover a normal tubed pump? Am I wrong? I thought if I had to I would move to a tubed pump although the thought turns my stomach! With the baby boomers all reaching retirement, seems like Omnipod could potentially lose a lot of customers. Wish there was someone to write to to get this darn thing covered!!

Permalink Reply by suz on July 8, 2012 at 8:39pm

My pharmacist said there are tubed pumps that medicre will cover...they wouldn't give me the name. I just refuse to be tied down to tubing. Also, I swim, and use a hot tub to relieve back pain from surgery.. I can sit in the hot tub when the pod is on my arms which I leave above the hot water.The problem is with the designation and # medicare gave the omni pod. I had hopes that their new pod would meet medicare reqirements. The new pod doesn't sound like they have improved anything. Sure hope my info is wrong. We all need to write medicare. Thanks for your reply.

Permalink Reply by Gil DePaula on July 8, 2012 at 10:40am

I guess the alternative is to use one of the tubed pumps. At least you one can manage the A1c% better with that than with MDI.

Permalink Reply by suz on July 8, 2012 at 8:43pm

I refuse to use the tubed pumps, mostly as I mentioned earlier, I swim and use a hot tub to relieve pain from several back surgeries. You can't swim or sit in hot tub with other pumps.Thank you for the reply.

Permalink Reply by Jake on July 9, 2012 at 8:43am

Actually you can disconnect.. Its not that difficult.. might want to give yourself half your basal before you disconnect, then give remainder when your done. Don't prebolus unless im disconnecting for more than an hour or 2.. Animas, Medtronic, Roche, and even Tandem I believe are covered by Medicare, heres the catch.. Been told it gets a lot more difficult to go back on a pump, if you go off it with medicare.. But if you are on a pump and change pumps (even from the omnipod), the process is a lot easier.. Still have to do a glucose log and a C peptide however. Its not ideal, but it can be a stopgap till MC gets its head out of backside.. Situations worse for CGMS

Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on July 8, 2012 at 2:04pm

That will be a fun club. All of us past podders switching over to shots or tubes, whining......

Don't most Medicare users have a secondary policy as well, or only the lucky. Maybe they don't cover either?

Another thought I had Suz, was that you are going to need to test a lot, trying to maintain your numbers. How is medicare on test strips?

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