Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude
it has been a month for HISD
CDE
Me; My PCP and I want to know what lit shows the B12 shot you are recommending is beneficial. CDE: No lit
Won’t see me any more because I finally had an endo appt.
Endo
Nurse: How much novolog? Me: It varies Nurse: So you aren’t taking it? Me: No. I’m type 1. I take the necessary amount with meals and take corrections when necessary. Nurse: How much? Me: Per day? Nurse: The doctor will be right in.
Endo: looks at CGM data You’re taking insulin after you eat. Me: No. Pick a day, look DP starts at 3am every day. Endo: Not this one day. Me: Because I bloused at 2AM and didn’t get up until 10am the next day when I took lantus and novolog. Endo: I still think you are taking insulin after you eat. (I do MDI so the only data is BG and insulin. She never asks when I eat.)
Me: Fine. I’d like an Omnipod prescription for the times when I delay bolusing because I’m out with strangers. Endo: I won’t give you a pump for some of the time. Me: in my head then why are we talking about this if its not a problem to fix!
later Me: So why is the lower end of the TSH range better for T1D? Endo: boilerplate hypothyroidism and cell division. Me: Is there anything I could read to learn more? Endo: Google it
Me: I need some prescriptions refilled, they are at the bottom of the agenda, Endo: The what? Me: the paper I gave the nurse with my medication list, what I needed to talk about today. The medications are at the bottom. Endo: I don’t have a paper Me: Here’s my copy since I didn’t need to take notes…
Local pharmacy
Them: The BGM has to be ordered. Can you wait till tomorrow? Me: Yes. And the Baqsimi? Y’all usually don’t stock it. Them: We didn’t get a prescription for Baqsimi
OptumRx
I end up transferred to a supervisor because Wanda can’t figure out how to add Lantus to the order. The usual days supply shenanagans except my plan is from the good old days where only 30 and 90 days supplies are covered and if they ship me extra, too bad for them.
Sasha: Want to use the card on file to pay? Me: Who added a card on file? They should be fired. Oh no, not Wayne, Wayne was awesome. Why Wayne, why… (not the last bit but I was legitimately sad I busted Wayne)
Minipharmacy
Call at 4:41pm, on hold and give up at 6:10pm
call again this morning Me: My order should have shipped by now, can you please check for a tracking number? I haven’t gotten one yet. Twilight (yes that was the poor childs name): 90 days since your last order isn’t till tomorrow. Me: Still should have been shipped by now. also my plan allows dispensing 7 days early T: Your PA expired. Me: checking my notes No. I apologize, I see that. Expired in dec. Should have been done by now.
Round and round we go, turns out they screwed me by waiting till the last minute then sent me a text asking me to call them without a reason. Never called me, Never called my doc.
Edgepark
The usual verify everything even through the agents can’t change anything and marketing questions.
Amy: the computer says we can’t ship to your address. Must be due to the wildfires. Do you have an address in another state? Me: giggling like the crazy person I am by now Last time this happened the rep added and edgepark business address to my profile. Do you see it? Amy: Yes Me: start the order using that, add the pen needles to the order, then change the address to mine. Amy: That worked
Amy: Your copay is $120. Me: My copay for DME is $0. Amy: It says $120 Me: after logging in to Anthem and checking I checked, its 0.
Know it all too well. And to quadruple the stress, my doctor’s office just announced imminent closure since they STILL haven’t received past due Medicaid funds. They literally don’t have the money to keep the lights on without it. I live in the middle of nowhere without many options. I’m already driving 45 minutes to see that doc. My next closest option for endocrinology is like 6 hours away, and I had a horrible experience with them in the past. You’d never consider this nightmarish transcript a privilege until you list doctor access to facilitate it. I’m really freaking out right now.
There is no talk of temporary. There is some desperate talk of downsizing or hoping for state supplements, but there’s only so much you can do. It hasn’t been made public yet, but my MIL is on the board of directors. Over 1/3 of the funding comes from Medicaid, and they just haven’t paid any of the outstanding bills. We’re not even talking about future cuts. I’m talking about monies past due for services already rendered to insured patients. There’s also some unpaid essential care grants because otherwise the nearest urgent care is more than 60 miles away, and 2.5 hours from a major hospital.
Clinics like this just don’t have much of slush fund.
You see, the problem with highly monopolized, disordered markets (that I couldn’t understand before) is that the problems extend FAR beyond just money. The eventuality of it is that it turns productive systems to dust. It can turn people into dust. That’s what Solzhenitsyn tries to explain. That’s what has happened to medicine on the more extreme ends of the spectrum. That’s why patients build medical systems and technology for companies for free so that those companies can sell it back to them at inflated prices. That’s why State governments are moved to medication manufacturing. That’s why the pharmacies can’t stay in business. That’s why UHG asks its software programmers to work for $2/hour. The system has already turned to dust. I think Khan tries to explain that, but I didn’t understand before…not really. It’s a system failure that breaks more than just economics.
@spdif - Your experience with the medicos and the dysfunctional medical supply business is disheartening to say the least. As users who have a critical stake in the health of this system, we don’t have the luxury of opting out. All I can offer is that we must focus on what’s important and persist in trying to get what we need. My apologies for what seems like impractical platitudes!
@Robyn_H - Your clinic should, of course, be paid for services already rendered! The politicians have successfully used the term, “Medicaid” as a dishonest pejorative to mean swindlers and tax cheats.
I am sorry that you have been pulled into this needless drama. I have been deliberately disconnected from topical news events because I knew how bad that current political events were going to hurt people, many of them innocent bystanders.
Is there any way that you can build a relationship with a doctor or clinic that could “see” you remotely and minimize in-person appointments? Sorry if my questions come off as ill-informed regarding your situation. It seems we all are going to be forced to be “flexible” in ways we have not considered.
I fear for my insurance coverage with Medicare and my earned benefit income with Social Security. I certainly don’t feel like someone involved in a system of “waste, fraud, and abuse” but worry that that rationale can be used to justify cuts.
Just a bit of an update, pick up at the local pharmacy was fine, had to ask three times to verify the copays on the 4 items before paying but thats normal with many people behind the register. The Doc wrote the baqsimi directions for use wrong (use one in each nostril) and the pharmacist didn’t catch it. Like a sweet treat I’m not gonna eat doc also wrote the prescription for two 2-packs and 4 refills. Oh and UPS delivered my optum order this morning, nice 2 day turnaround. Another upside, there has been no crying this time around. Yet.
As some have mentioned in this topic and others, choosing were to put your energy is important. I often choose poorly, as you can see by my being bothered by the optum credit card thing or edgepark wanting to know if I use a CGM when I’m buying pen needles. I’m working on improving.
@Robyn_H Yeah, this is small potatoes compared to what you are going through with no docs around or when @Tin12 was surrounded by docs not accepting new patients and long waiting lists. I was wondering the same as @Terry4 about seeing someone remotely if there was someone nearby who could cover the in person stuff once s year. I feel for you and your MIL dealing with the government not paying its bills. And the reserve fund probably went up in smoke with last years UHG/Change Health dumpster fire. And its not like Medicaid covers all the costs to see patients anyway. And…
There is one stressor you left out - MEDICARE! I have spent hours on the phone with Medicare reps, trying to explain things, or ask things - in most cases, they have NO IDEA what the heck I am talking about! Last time, I was on with them, it was over 2 HOURS! And they want us seniors to reduce our stress - yeah, riiight!
@HappyG You’re in my head! I wondered that too walking out of the endos office. But I realized kids commit to be being doctors when they are 19-20, finish 12-ish years later under piles of crushing debt, and then some are going to figure out they aren’t a people person.
@jgbar1950 I’m too young for that nonsense but I can see it in my future. Did you call about something diabetes related? Try asking here, we’re fast good and pretty.
I called Minipharmacy to check on them getting the PA. They hadn’t even tried to get the docs fax number yet. I emailed the COO. Maybe a little noise from the executive suite will get things done.
Wow, this would be sooo frustrating! How do you maintain your sanity? I’m so glad that my Ontario health care doesn’t work that way. In my almost 52 years of being diabetic, my brain would have exploded several times over if I’d had to endure this. I hope somehow, there is smoother sailing for you in the future. Good luck!
Edgepark is dead to everyone, they are the DME division of hell. From the truly terrible news dept. Cardinal Health, which owns Edgepark, bought ADS and US Med at the end of 2024.
This forum helps a lot. Not only is it a great place to exhale and get support from nice people like you I can also use what I learn for good and help other people who have similar problems. Or at least be an example of what not to do.
So sorry you’ve had all this going on! And yes, so relatable for so many of us, sadly. Even with a great HMO like Kaiser, I still spend so. many. hours. on emails, phone calls etc to get all my diabetes stuff… I know I’m so lucky to even be able to buy insurance! Hope your month gets better!
This news to me. I’ve been using US Med as my Dexcom supplier for about three years. Medicare pays the bill under Part B.
I’m satisfied overall in US Med’s performance but was irritated by the company’s practice of trying to herd all Dexcom users into the G7. I believe the company was given a bonus from Dexcom for every customer who switched from the G6 to the G7.
Every 90 days I receive a text saying that they will ship the G7 unless I respond that I’m using an insulin pump. While this transaction irritates some, I go along with the game as I believe I’m better off using the G6 for as long as I can.
If US Med deteriorates as Edgepark reportedly has, I will need to find another supplier. I need to consider other candidates now. Any suggestions?
I believe in always having a backup plan so definitely check out the other suppliers but I wouldn’t worry too much about US Med. A few years ago ADS was sold to a private equity company who then used ADS to buy US Med. Since US Med still isn’t causing hair loss for you after the last acquisition maybe this one will be fine too.
I’m limited by who my insurance plan lists as “in network”. I check every year to see if they add Edwards. People here had nothing bad to say about them and they appear to be big enough to be reliable and small enough to not beat the humanity out of their call center reps. Even though Minipharmacy failed me on this order, they usually don’t, and as a small company (disclosure: owned by private equity) when you get the right people on the phone like I did this morning they are amazing. Or do you want my whole list of Dexcom suppliers? I’ve been meaning to update it since I found some different suppliers named on a an Abbott PDF and I figure most suppliers sell both.
Ha! Once a month I visit my barber for a buzz-cut, my long-standing tactic to obscure my obvious hair loss. (If you can’t hide it, flaunt it!) I just couldn’t pull off a comb-over.
I’d rather stick with US Med if they don’t ensnare me in clerical nonsense 4 times per year. I think Edwards is a good backup for me. I’ll check them out!
Edited to add: I called Edwards and I believe they are ready to work with me if I choose to go forward. They answered that they can supply me with Dexcom G6 sensors and transmitters until Dexcom shuts down the supply line. I’m tempted to make the switch now.
DME company sent a transmitter and 3 sensors when I ordered 9 sensors. I don’t accept partial fills.
This rollercoaster is starting to make me nauseous.
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but I can see it in my future. Did you call about something diabetes related? Try asking here, we’re fast good and pretty.