I think BCBS is holding out on me Options

[Wildhorse]

I made my supply order in the 13th and it is still In Processing. If you look at my order history, every thing has shipped mostly next day one order to 3 days to process.
Now on this order I needed strips, sets, and a new clip. I am afraid I will not have enough srrips to make it until I leave for Christmas holiday and can't really afford the 50 bucks out of pocket to buy some OTC. I wonder if they doing this because this is the end of the year and trying to out wait my yearly deductable.
Mostlly I am aggrevated

[Linda B]

I don't think they can withhold supplies. I bet it is just the huge volume of insurance claims that are ordered during the last few weeks of the year.
In fact, if you check with your supplier, I bet the delay is on their end.
Linda B.

[Wildhorse]

Well let's hope so. As I have 8 test strips left. Normally my package would have arrived today.
Yesterday I realized I only had 3 resevoirs left. So ordered those this AM.

[sparkyhedgehog]

Well let's hope so. As I have 8 test strips left. Normally my package would have arrived today.
Yesterday I realized I only had 3 resevoirs left. So ordered those this AM.

Ohhhh....lots of things can delay an order. Having been on the supplier side of things I can say that there are many things that can cause a delay in shipping. I find waiting on paperwork that needs to be completed or changed by a doctor is the most common problem. Some doctors offices just have a harder time doing paperwork quickly (for lots of different reasons - usually not at their own fault). A lot of insurances (especially Medicare) will not allow an order to go until after it's been a full 90 days (or 30 days depending on the patient's preference). BCBS here in NC is the most lenient in that area. The company that ships the package can be at fault as well. I once had to send an order three times because a new UPS driver couldn't find the patient's house. They gave us a different reason each time it had to be returned. The funny thing about that situation was the patient had been getting supplies at that same address for about 5 years. I always tell my patient's to call if they don't get their package when they normally should have because you don't know what can happen. When in doubt call. That is what gives people like me a job! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Oh and I forgot...I always recommend to keep at least a 2 week supply on hand. I try for a 1 month supply but usually can't keep that much on hand. After hurricane Katrina I decided it was something I should do...or at least try to do. I always forget to place my order on time and I look at my supplies and think "Oh, I have plenty." I need to think up a system to rotate my supplies so I'm not dipping into my last reserves. Does anyone else do this or am I a little paranoid?

This post has been edited by sparkyhedgehog: Dec 19 2007, 01:27 AM

[Linda B]

Well let's hope so. As I have 8 test strips left. Normally my package would have arrived today.
Yesterday I realized I only had 3 resevoirs left. So ordered those this AM.

Maybe your doctor or CDE can put you in contact with the rep for the blood meter company - they might be able to get you some strips to 'tide you over'. Or maybe the doctor or CDE might have strips. Especially if they do finger sticks as part of the office exam.
Linda B.

[sparkyhedgehog]

Maybe your doctor or CDE can put you in contact with the rep for the blood meter company - they might be able to get you some strips to 'tide you over'. Or maybe the doctor or CDE might have strips. Especially if they do finger sticks as part of the office exam.
Linda B.

I know some patients in a bind can use their BCBS pharmacy benefits and be just fine. Because DME companies bill under the medical portion BCBS usually doesn't seem to worry about it unless it's a consistent thing and they see that someone is getting duplicate supplies. You're doctor may be willing to call in a prescription.

[Wildhorse]

The order shipped last night, at least I got my email notification last night. But I still won't get them in time before we leave for our vacation.
If I buy them at an RX I have to pay full $ then send in my reciept and wait to get reimbursed. Usually not a problem. It's just that this week I only have 250.00 in the bank until Friday when my hub gets paid. My endo is an hour away so I can't just pop in there and ask for a freebie, because I would (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) .
Yeah I try to keep a months extra also, it just slipped past me this month with the holidays and all.
And you guys wouldn't believe all the cookies and candies that are being dropped off at my work for the staff to enjoy!

[Eric]

Can your endo phone a prescription to your local pharmacy? Mine does that if I'm in a pinch.

[Wildhorse]

I don't need a prescription for the strips because my ins won't cover it at a pharmacy. I have to be reimbursed, but by buying thru minimed they file major med for me which is very nice. Except when the order gets delayed like this one.
My doctor charges 5.00 to call in an prescription and it may take them up to 48 hours to do so per their phone message. They called me the day before yesteray to tell me about my thyroid results and asked that I call them back. I did so twice yesterday and they never returned my calls, so I don't know what is up. I am going to try them again here in a few.
Hey does anyone elses doc charge to read your glucose readings?

[sparkyhedgehog]

Hey does anyone elses doc charge to read your glucose readings?

No way!!!! I'd get a different doctor!!!! I've only ever had doctor's charge for the visit and that's it...and of course any labs that are taken but that's a given. I have never heard of a doctor charging to call in a prescription. I read somewhere that Medicare emergency room visits are on the rise and that some people will go to the emergency room for a simple cold. I can understand why if a person had a doctor charge for every little teeny tiny service. That's a part of the visit. If he were my doctor I'd tell him that I couldn't afford the charge and ask him to help me with my diabetes without seeing my glucose results and see what he'd say. Part of seeing a doctor for your diabetes is going over results. That's why we test and write things down so they can look at them!! I actually download my results into the Accu-Chek software online and it's completely free. I just print it off and the only thing I had to pay for was the cable. I'd be upset is all I'm saying. Some doctors... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/badmood.gif)

[sparkyhedgehog]

Sorry about all that aggressiveness. The doctor may have his reasons but I still think it's ridiculous. The cost of health care is terrible. You caught me on one of my rants. Hahahhahah...

This post has been edited by sparkyhedgehog: Dec 20 2007, 02:28 AM

[Wildhorse]

That's how I felt when I found out. I refused to pay because they didn't pay attention to my fax I sent them asking to call my cell or work # and they called my home # which isn't reliable due to certain husbands who listen to messages then don't let me know I had messages.
Anyway an update. My stuff got here on Friday about 5 hours after we left for our hometown. Got home last night and checked mystuff, I ordered the wrong size belt clip. I got the one for the 5 series not the 7. I called MM and they are shipping me a new one and said to donate the other to my doc's office and I was thinking if anyone here need a 5 series MM belt clip I could send it to you. LMK

Belinda

[dpantous]

I made my supply order in the 13th and it is still In Processing. If you look at my order history, every thing has shipped mostly next day one order to 3 days to process.
Now on this order I needed strips, sets, and a new clip. I am afraid I will not have enough srrips to make it until I leave for Christmas holiday and can't really afford the 50 bucks out of pocket to buy some OTC. I wonder if they doing this because this is the end of the year and trying to out wait my yearly deductable.
Mostlly I am aggrevated

I understand, I have BCBS and I am so upset. I thought my pump supplies were going to be like the cost of my medicine (only the most expencive co-payment of $45.00) I got the first bill and it was $70.00, when I called for my supplies the lady told me I shouldn't be running out, I explained to her I am new at this and make mistakes, she processed the order but I just got the bill today and its $144.00. I have to wait till Monday to call the insucance company, and the minimed company. I am so upset I love the pump but I just can't afford it right now and thinking of going back to injections just to save $$. My insurance is $198.55 a week and you'd think they'd have no co-payments for that much money (that is only my 1/2, my company pays the other 1/2) I live in Mass and it's the law to have health insurance even if you can't afford it.

[KittyT]

I too have BCBS and I haven't really had to deal with them yet, as my pump hasn't shipped. But from what I was told by Animas after they verified my benefits, both my pump and all of my supplies (potentially including test strips as well) should be covered 100%. It's very exciting news - I just hope it's true!

[dpantous]

I called BCBS and they told me the pump supplies are considered like a fake arm or leg and I would have to pay 20%. I have to change my pump every two days and I am just so upset about the cost of things. I don't want to go back to my old ways becasue I am doing so good on the pump and it I do like the freedom of it. I still say with all I pay for insurance there should be no copaymets at all! Oh and now the insurance don't even let you get a physical evey year it's once every three years and my company requires it every two years and no they won't pay for it! Thanks for letting me vent!

[Arlene S.]

In what State do you live?

This post has been edited by Arlene S.: Sep 15 2008, 09:56 PM

[dpantous]

In what State do you live?

I live in Massachuetts and like I said it's the law to have health ins. I have to go for a part time job interview in a couple of days. I am so tired of working my full time job I am not sure if I am physically able to do it just to pay for my medical supplies I need. It S****! I am struggling supporting my daughter, and my mother. I have a great husband who helps, but his hours just got cut and I just don't understand why the ins. companies aren't giving out the best ins. without all the costs. In my state I can't believe they are keeping all there customers and not getting what we call MassHealth. I just applied too and hoping they can help me pay for the $200 a week that I am paying. So wish me luck! thanks

[Arlene S.]

I live in Massachuetts and like I said it's the law to have health ins. I have to go for a part time job interview in a couple of days. I am so tired of working my full time job I am not sure if I am physically able to do it just to pay for my medical supplies I need. It S****! I am struggling supporting my daughter, and my mother. I have a great husband who helps, but his hours just got cut and I just don't understand why the ins. companies aren't giving out the best ins. without all the costs. In my state I can't believe they are keeping all there customers and not getting what we call MassHealth. I just applied too and hoping they can help me pay for the $200 a week that I am paying. So wish me luck! thanks

I suggest that you read the following very carefully and then contact a supervisor at BC/BS.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw00/sl000081.htm

This post has been edited by Arlene S.: Sep 15 2008, 11:10 PM