@Gezunt, this is weird. I have ordered the overpatch before but now I can’t get it to accept my phone number. the message is to use this format: +XXXXXXXXXXX which I have done with my ph # that has not changed in 30 years. I have used this format plus every other possibility including putting a 1 in front of the +. Any clues, please? and my number is entered correctly. Thanks.
I just called Tech help and she said they recently changed the phone format and it is supposed to be +1(xxx)xxxxxxx. She is supposed to send a note to IT to tell them to fix it on the website. I did not try what she told me so don’t take it to the bank, in case I misheard. She sent in my order for me. Fun!
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Before I finished reading your remark, my first thought was that you missed the +1 – but you didn’t!
I suspect that the Dexcom reordering site is glitchy. I have experienced an uneven level of reliability with the Dexcom servers for blood sugar reports, it may be that this unreliability has bled over to the page that enables overpatch requests. If it were me and I really needed the patches, I would call them directly.
- Dexcom have recently changed the algorithm, and the programming now requires the “1” before the phone number. Your entry must be precise or it will be rejected.
- I’m a programmer. I could well be wrong however i don’t think this is a glitch, but rather a request made by a database engineer to force customers to be precise rather than asking the programmer to reformat data input. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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You can order the over patches when you make your regular order. They ship separately though.
That’s how I do it
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Do you order direct from dexcom or DME supplier/pharmacy ?
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No, Medicare folks, me, can’t order direct from Dex anymore, for quite a while now. I had to switch to Edgepark. It was discussed on here somewhere.
I was referring to overpatches, that @Timothy says they can be with regular sensor order. So trying to confirm if that means only for direct orders from dexcom.
@Gezunt, the rep told me it was a change so I did not think it was a glitch. But the directions were unclear and that is what the rep said she would ask IT to fix. all they had listed then was +xxxxxxxxxx which if you count the xs does not include the 1. Though I added the 1 as 1+ which was my mistake. 1+ is the way it is on my volunteer program. But not on Dex which apparently is +1xxx etc!! Who knows now, but I did order by phone because I had to call them. If instructions are not fixed in a couple months, I will do the same again.
But then I also order the Skin Tac from amazon so maybe I won’t need the patch again! I hope. Edgepark sends me tape removal without my asking and I have a bunch of that so maybe it will help remove the skin tac.
When late spring comes, I will either continue to wear long sleeves or risk questions about the gooey rings on my upper arms! If the skin tac is persistent. ; ( ha!
@Blueburd plain alcohol or oil does help remove it too. And fingernails 
I was switched to Byram several months ago. I used to go direct to Dexcom.
When I make my order at Byram I can choose sensors and over patches.
They come separately but they ship direct from dexcom.
The overpatches come in the standard mail.
Interesting, not sure all dmes do that.
I did G6 via pharmacy this year, but 2022 formulary no longer shows G6 sensors. So will go back to dme, and see if Byram is included now, or go back to CCSMedical. But with G7 soon, I may hold off next order, while I use up my G6 supply.
I was told I had to go direct to Dex for the overpatches, by Edgepark. Maybe I got a ‘newbie’ or something but after several orders, it is still that way for that company. I will ask again but am sure. I am lucky they include IV preps standard which is my preferred skin cleaner. I just buy alcohol separately for the Dex sensor cleaning. Can’t put iv prep on that!
@MM1 I would still get your orders. We don’t know for sure about when G7 will hit. But to me most important is that you can use up your excess G6’s when the G7 is available so that you can build a stockpile of G7’s for back up when needed. It looks like the G7 won’t be able to be restarted. That way you don’t have to worry about them arriving on time, or when you switch suppliers, change of doctors etc. Any of those things in life that can delay getting your constant supply!
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I still have a stockpile of Dex G5s and other supplies that my endo office won’t take and is junk in my house. I have extra G6’s but not sure how good that will be in terms of use or waste. But I get your point to MM1 about a few extra G7s. That makes sense. I do hate all the waste that comes with db technology.
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Interesting info. I am glad that Dex got an earful about leaving Medicare folks behind with the G6 and won’t for the G7! Sorry they are sticking with 10 days only. Glad they will include an overpatch in each box. Duh! Why not now with the G6? Nothing said about including the separate receiver. I hope they continue it as I find it easier to check than the bigger iPhone frequently which i have not connected.
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I hate the waste as well but I feel that a personal shortage of CGM supplies is much riskier and possibly more harmful than any waste. I use the data output of my CGM to drive insulin delivery with Loop. When I transitioned to the G6, I used up (or gave away) almost all of my G4/G5 sensors and transmitters while I took delivery of my G6 supplies. That meant that I built up a significant six-month supply of G6 sensors and transmitters.
We each have our own comfort level with any shortage of our diabetes supplies. The current insurance and payer dominated environment in the US threatens my well-being with their just-in-time mentality. They have no idea the stress that their cavalier attitude toward keeping us in supplies places us. I can’t change their position or attitude but I can stockpile to ensure my supply stress stays low.
Once I start taking delivery of my G7 supplies, I will continue to use up my G6 sensors and transmitters so that I can maintain that comfort stock. The payers may not value the reduced stress that this affords me but it’s my job to protect myself the best I can.
I also abhor the cost of medical waste on our environment but my avoidance of the ER and DKA is much more of a benefit to the environment than the few supplies I might waste in the process. I do everything in my power to use these stockpiled supplies myself or I give them to others who will use them.
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There are a few reasons they do the things they do at dexcom.
They built the disposable inserter because they wanted the needle to be trapped in the inserter and act as an official needle disposal sharps container. There were complaints about people who were putting them directly into the trash. This was their weird and wasteful work around.
The receiver and the transmitter both make the g6 fall into the durable equipment category which is covered differently by insurance than is disposable stuff.
That’s why Medicare recipients get the receiver weather they want it or not.
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You can get Skin Tac from Amazon . It comes as a foil packed wipe