C-peptide do not qualify for Animas ping

Diabetes Technology Insulin Pumps
1

I am first time pump buyer! started initial search with Omnipod , Medtronics ,T slim,Animas Ping .

finally drilled down to Omnipod or Animas ping because of remote/tubeless facility. Now Insurance denies Ping on the bases of C-peptide lab number, i am diabetic since more then last 2 years was on pre refill pen and my current A1c is 8.1.

I am so confused , Please help if any one has dealt with this kind of situation before , i was about to post for
review on my decision of pump and then i just received an email from Ping reps regarding C-peptide result do not qualify.

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Are you trying to qualify for an insulin pump paid for by Medicare?

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C-peptide is an indirect measurement of how much insulin your pancreas still produces. I don’t know the numbers off the top of my head but some insurers, including Medicare, don’t want to finance pumps for people who still have some endogenous or natural insulin production. I don’t agree, but their reasoning is that while type II diabetics enjoy some minimal level of native insulin then they don’t need a pump to treat their diabetes.

You need to find out what the actual numbers are and where you stand relative to that. Perhaps your C-peptide number has changed since the blood draw that disqualified you. I know that @Brian_BSC has more familiarity with this issue. Maybe Brian will comment here or you can send him a private message. I’m sure others will comment as well.

Everyone willing to put in the effort to use an insulin pump should have access to one! It will help you get a better handle on your blood sugar numbers. Good luck!

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maybe it’s because @Ndesai is type2, I think @Thas may have gone through this (I think he has the omnipod)

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5

what is the number? just got mine today, at Medicare’s request. it was quite low, as expected. under .1. Because of that, Medicare has authorized my pump supplies which are now on a FedEx truck…

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Terry , I am on pvt insurance and yes i am on Type 2 with insulin

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My C peptide is 1.6 ng/mL , they said you are just litlle above the range i have to work little bit may be to stop my pancreas making more insulin to come inside range LOL

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Which Pump did you get ?

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I’ve had a number of MM pumps over the last 19 years. current pump 530G

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I have gone thru this in a way. Last year, my insurance turned me dwn for the Animas Ping. In my case, my c-peptide was well below normal. range at 0.6, but my A1c was “too good” - they refused the pump because they “only allow pumps for people with very high BG or A1c over 8.5.” My endo wanted me on a pump to control the lows I was having on MDI.

I ended up getting the Asante Snap because it was paid entirely thru pharmacy, like supplies, an not DME. When Asante went out of business, I got the Omniipod. They gave me the PDM in “trade” and the pods go thru pharmacy, no problem. Currently, I am using the Animas Vibe – again, the pump was a trade-in deal, and insurance pays the supplies…

What insurance do you have? (United Healthcare here). The Omnipod PDM isn’t too expensive (around $500?) - maybe supplies will be approved for you, too?

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yes Omnipod PDM will cost me around 500$ , I have UHC and supplies is approved through pharmacy so , if Ping will be out then I am going for Omnipod from my list ,T-slim is still there in my list but last option!! whats your take on that @Thas

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Sounds like it might be a plan. Omnipod works, and for many people it’s the preferred choice (no tubing!). My issues with the Omnipod may stem more from my previous pump experience (with the Snap) than anything inherent to the Pod - You’ll only know how well it works for you when you try it.

T-slim might have been an option for me; however, knowing UHC’s response to me regarding Animas, I presumed it would be too expensive, so I did not pursue it further. You plan sounds reasonable to me, in that case – And you may well love the Omnipod! Like I said, lots of people do.

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