Anyone have Kaiser Permanente insurance?

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
1

My endo told me last week that they don’t cover the costs of the Omnipod, which is such a disappointment.


I’ve been using a minimed, but I really, really want an Omnipod.

So I wonder if anyone else had better luck with Kaiser?
2

Have you called Omnipod itself? They’re very good with working with your insurance company to get coverage. When I went on it, they did all the work for me.

And as far as Omnipod working with insurance - I think they’re willing to work with anyone, I think it’s typically the insurance company itself that makes the decision whether or not to carry a particular pump/device/med/etc.

3

Thanks guys! I’m still trying to work through this, slowly though :stuck_out_tongue:

4

I have United Health Care and had to go through a third party distributor, Edgepark… you may have to look in to that…

5

I’ll have to do that. Thanks, Emily!

6

Here’s my update:

My minimed pump warranty expires on 7/18/10

I called Omnipod and they were really nice and looked up lots of information for me, but what it basically boils down to is that Kaiser does not deal with Omnipod. I tried to find out if there was another distributor that I could get supplies from, but the customer service rep didn’t sound to promising. So basically there’s nothing I can do, except pay for out of pocket.

So I pretty much want to cry right now.

7

Kelsie - I hear you loud and clear. I had the same experience with the customer service rep at OmniPod that I talked with this week too. Oh…they definitely bust their tail to get you the pump IF your insurance is some company like Blue Cross Blue Shield. However if you change doctors or insurance company from your original application they all but cuss you out.

If any other companies ever develop a tubeless pump, they will give Insulet the competition they need to branch out and deal with smaller insurance companies.

I know nothing about traditional pumps, but I’ve heard the new Animas “Ping” has some good features.

8

Mayumi,

I’m actually thinking about getting the Animas. When I think that I’m going to have a pump for the next four years… I want something that I think has a good future. With the Omnipod, they’re going to get smaller pods & integrate with Dexcom soon.

And with Animas, I know that they are working on a closed-loop system…I know that’s waaay far off, but at least they’ve got something in the works. I have no idea what future improvements Minimed has planned, which disappoints me.

So if I can’t get the Omnipod :frowning: I’d like to try for the Animas.

But we haven’t exhausted all the options yet. So we’ll see!

Thanks for the info, Mayumi!

Kelsie