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Blog Entries With Tag: insuranceBlog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Dec 23, 2014
... my new Animas One Touch PING (I think of the game ping pong with that name) insulin pump that I started on yesterday aka Ziggy and his side kick Stardust - the OneTouch meter remote (no more lifting my skirts up to reveal my knickers to the world when I want to do a bolus). It will take abit of getting used to how much blood Stardust uses compared to Limoncello - my FreeStyle Lite (who will remain as my standby for days I can't squeeze out large droplets of vampire blood. I had wanted to change to the Vibe, which has the CGMS option on it's screen which is an extra $200 (the PING is $6,995). I paid for it on my credit card that is allowing an extra 1 year warranty on it on top of the 4 year warranty you get with the pump (having had previous probs with the 2020 - I wanted to ensure I had 1 extra year more). I'm one smart cookie aren't I? Well, you won't think so after reading the following. Laws here in Canada do NOT allow you to change your mind once you've purchased a pump ... even if the box isn't opened - live and learn - or move to US of A - where you have better consumer protection - from some of the thread discussion I've read on forums. So, tonight - it's installing a Dexcom G4 sensor - the transmitter and receiver was given to me by islet cell transplant - who now insulin free (whoo! whoo!) from Alberta. I may continue to use it out of pocket once the Christmas present of box of sensors that my Animas rep gave to me (ususallly a box of 4 will set you back $340 for a month supply - cha ching) - runs out. One thing I am finding out about the Dexcom ... after reading/watching the videos on their site. They keep on telling you that ... the CGMS does not replace your blood meter ... that whatever your CGMS tell you - that you should go with what your finger prick #BGNow number is. This is one thing I did not realise when looking into the CGMS. I knew a blood test had to be done a few times a day - but not some of what I came across at this link. Therefore, you still have to purchase perhaps as many blood test strips as you had before, in order to stay in a good BG zone. So, between testing still with the finger sticks as some of us call them - and then to justify the the $7K yearly cost is abit scary (like buying a used car every year as my DH put it to me - men are so practical when it comes to justifying a purchase). Thank goodness for DTC here in Canada as well, but we have yet to see how much we can claim since I was approved a few years ago ... it's sitting down ... pulling out past income taxes, etc. etc. aka - we'd rather be sailing - than crunching numbers. Though my DH says he'll keep on working as long as he has to for affording these items - but the rotten thing is ... he's able to retire next year after 35 years. GUILT!!! Can you tell that I feel so guilty that my DH has to work longer due to my diabetes at times? That shows you how much someone loves you when they give up their retirement plans for you (his are sailing around the world - but you never know - maybe we'll be able to do it). So, here's to the next adventure with devices from Animas ....
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tags: Dexcom G4 (1) insurance (1) pump (1) insulin (1) sugar (1) meter (1) blood (1) Canada (1) Disability Tax Credit (1) DTC (1) Freestyle (1) Abbott (1) One Touch (1) Ping (1) CGMS (1) Animas (1) Related posts:Are you really hypo unaware? | Edmonton man denied insulin for 20 hours | The Brain Battle | She’s got legs and she knows how to use them (the semi-Fashionista and her pump)! | It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ... NOT! | Revina Garcia: Diabetic Handcuffed, Dumped On Pavement By Police | Shame on Johnson & Johnson / Animas | REMOVAL – clinical trial for T1D's in UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark and Netherlands | Riding thru' the mountains of the Adirondacks | My Porky Pig fingers are tiredBlog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Aug 31, 2014
The other day, an American Type 1 diabetic on Facebook wrote to me asking if I could help them in finding more information for a low potassium diet and recipes to go with the foods they’re allowed to eat. They’d seen their kidney specialist and told to go this route. What really got to me was when I asked if they were going to see a dietician or at least a nutritionist was that they'd received a paper – with what they could eat / not eat. That was it! Not that I’m an expert, but I sent them some links from the National Kidney Foundation that at least explains more than what their doctor had given them. I managed to link them up within a few hours with another Canadian diabetic mate of mine, who has been on a low potassium diet for a decade, and hopefully that will help. It really amazes me how these days, we often have to go this route, not via our medical system. What really surprised me more with my American friend was that his health care insurance doesn’t cover for a dietician / nutritionist (they are covered though for an insulin pump/CGMS pump). It's like, WTF, won't more cost be involved from the insurance company if the person has kidney failure? Urrhhhh. I’m sorry, but as Canadian, who may pay higher taxes, may have bit of wait time to see doctors/surgery at times compared to the USA. I know that the province I live in (Quebec), I can make an appointment, upon the recommendation of my doctor, to see a dietician. I had to at one point, when I needed some help with losing weight (still am trying to shed – that’s a never ending story). The main thing, I can go to local government run clinic or hospital, and get the help I need. If I have work insurance coverage, often to see someone FAST, the most you'll pay out of pocket is 20% for that faster service. Either way, n-between the wait time, I do my own research, and of course, don’t leap to any conclusions due to … not everything you see online is the gospel truth! Of course, no health care system, whether public like Canada's is or in the USA is perfect. Actually, no health care system world wide is perfect … people gripe about paying more taxes to fund them, but you always hope that that extra you are giving to the government isn’t being used for admin and other nonmedical needs. Take for instance, my recent PAP smear test - to be analysed in Quebec system, takes 6 months. Other provinces are 1-2 weeks. The reason for wait time in my province? Smaller population, less tax dollars going into the medical system. Of course, healthy individuals that don't use the health system, would get upset to fund the kitty with extra tax dollars, but that's the way our system works, and usually for the better. Anyway, before I rant more about health care - and make this an epic blog that it wasn't supposed to be - on closing words - check out this latest report from the nonpartisan health organization, the Commonwealth Fund … this will get you debating together at the dinner table, if it doesn't get you commenting here on my post!
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tags: kidneys (1) healthcare (1) low potassium (1) insurance (1) Commonwealth Fund (1) Related posts:Here's an interesting study | Welcome Ziggy Stardust | Initial thoughts | I am in love with the i-port - it is like a mini-me insulin pump | Do you take Irbesartan despite not having high blood pressure? | Insurance Billing Code - V700Blog: Anna's BlogFrom: FatCatAnnaPosted: Mar 30, 2013
UPDATE -** NOVEMBER 18TH 2013 ** - I HAVE FINALLY BEEN APPROVED TO USE THE I-PORT! Why it took my insurance company so long is beyond my comprehension - but now I'm so excited - especially when I take my next holiday - where I can't risk having my out of warranty insulin pump go wonky on me - this will make my MDI (multiple dose injection) regime so much easier!!!! ******************* I posted this blog the other day at Blogger - and thought I'd share it here with you at Diabetes1.org!
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tags: syringe (21) insurance (21) BG (1) control (1) cannula (1) infusion (1) slow (1) rapid (1) coverage (1) Industrial Alliance (1) port (1) Patton (1) pump (1) gauge (1) pen needle (1) injections (1) insulin (1) Diabetes.co.uk (1) Diabetes Express (1) i-port (1) Related posts:Type 1 vs. Type 2 | In a slump and scared | Surviving the Holocaust with Type 1 diabetes | Crack Free #ShowMeYourPump | Edmonton man denied insulin for 20 hours | Jenna and The Hypo Fairy | Wearing a dress with medical gadgets | Pre-op visit with endo at hospital | Low potassium diet | When You're Hot, You're HotBlog: Doris' BlogFrom: dorisjdicksonPosted: Aug 21, 2009
Remember this medical billing code - V700. Why? In Massachusetts, V700 is the code to ensure that tests you have performed during a routine annual physical are covered under the Massachusetts mandate. Codes are standard through the country I realize; so, it is the same code used in other states to designate an adult routine annual physical. However, at least until national health reform is passed, it s the one that designates a number of tests that are covered without being subject to a deductible, coinsurance or multiple copayments. According to the representative at BC/BS I drilled earlier in the week, even my A1C and TSH are covered, even though they are not standard routine tests; they are diagnostic. It is important to share this information with you because frequently tests are separated at the doctor's office and performed by multiple outside vendors. Trust me; providers do not always enter the appropriate code and if they do not (depending on your plan details and potential deductibles) it may appear you are responsible for test costs that should be paid under "routine annual physical." This has happened to me multiple times because my primary care physician sends blood tests to the hospital lab (at another location) and the lab does not bill the insurance company properly. Thus, I have received a separate bill for the lab tests. Wrong! I get a bit testy and send it back with a note stating, "bill properly and you will be paid"! I do not necessarily remind them what they did wrong. I should not have to even know what the problem is and the mistake does get a bit old. After all, this was a selling point of HMO and PPO coverage - not patient intervention, double billing, paperwork, etc. Also, if they continue to bill improperly, they can not charge you. They have a specific amount of time, based on the contract they signed with the insurance company, to properly bill the insurer. After that, they have to "eat" the unreimbursed costs and they are not allowed to charge the patient for their mistakes. Their mistakes are not your problem. It is that simple but you need to know it is that simple. As long as you have provided the caregiver with your accurate provider information, you verified they are an approved provider (if necessary), you have active coverage, etc. you have performed the required "patient responsibilities." Beyond that, it is up the provider. So, the next time you have a routine annual physical and a bunch of separate tests (in some states including a mammography, pap smear, EKG, etc.) remember to pay attention to the code they use especially if you end up with a bunch of separate bills. The code is V700! Related posts:Low potassium diet | Welcome Ziggy Stardust | I am in love with the i-port - it is like a mini-me insulin pump |
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