Not sure why I haven’t shared my latest ordeal, maybe because I somehow blamed myself for the mess.
Back in August, I started getting emails from Animas that my pump warranty was expiring so I started looking at insulin pumps. Haven’t been happy with animas as they have done aero technology enhancements since the pump came in my possession. Ezmanager was still at Windows XP, no changes in the Ping Remote, etc.
Had an appointment with the endo in October and he agreed, in fact, he said he was only doing Medtronic or Omnipod. Talked with both reps but the omnipod was out since I spend time in our hot tub.
I really like the local Medtronics people, both the sales rep and the trainer. I know I told everyone down the line when the pump expired, etc.
Pump was shipped the weekend before Thanksgiving, which meant no one involved was reachable, and I also assumed everyone knew what they were doing. Imagine my shock when I get a bill for $6000 + dollars.
Yeah, a bit of a major freak out.
This happened in January. I am also now assuming supplies are no longer covered.
First calls out are to Medtronics billing who threaten to take back their pump. Oh, I had already sent in my Animas pump in their trade in deal.
Sales rep calmed me down and said that I wouldn’t be left pumpless.
Next was Blue Cross Blue Shield. First, they said they only cover one pump unless the first pump breaks or the doctor articulates the need for a new one, none of the “automatic replacement because of out warranty” that I had been given for two pump cycles.
BCBS did say I could keep the pump without paying for it but that didn’t seem right. Best news was that my supplies were still covered so that wasn’t an issue.
The fun part was that Medtronics was sending the wrong paperwork and asking the wrong questions. I got the right information and got the pump covered though technically I didn’t have to, but then again would they cover the warranty and would I get another pump ever again?
What gets me, is that everyone else I deal with pre authorizes, except them. Doctors, pharmacy, cpap supplier, you name, know my coverage before I hit the door. Weird.