I can deal with the diabetes, but the insurance industry is driving me nuts

Diabetes Advocacy Self Advocacy
1

So I call Dexcom to order new sensors, and they pass me off to another company to order it. Then I call Solara at 5PM Eastern, or 2 PM their time, and get a different company who seems to work under the same roof. They pass me off to a company that is closed for the day. I call again in the morning and leave a message, and no call back.

Then I call BCBS's preferred supplier of DME (Carecentrix), and start the ball rolling with them. Apparently every function is done by a different department. The ordering and billing departments are separate, so I can't just order something and ask "how much?". I have to order it, and get transferred to another department. Then I sit on the phone for half an hour while the other department tries to get their head of out their rears. Then, I'm told it is X dollars for 3 months, but I just want 1 month sent out and am wondering if shipping is included. Well, apparently, Dexcom does the actual mailing, and Carecentrix doesn't have that information.

And price comparison is a nightmare because they have to key everything in (ex. 4 different pumps) before sending you to billing.

I wouldn't mind, but half the crap with insurance is like this. When I passed out at my doctor's office back when I was first diagnosed, and I went to the emergency room. The first thing I had to do when I got home was call my doctors office and make sure they did the referral properly for the ER.

2

I know how you feel! It's so ridiculous that it has to be so difficult and require so much effort to have the tools we need to take care of ourselves. I will give you a word of advice regarding Care Centrix. Watch your billing statements and EOB statements. Carefully look at the billing statements they send. And only send payment once you're sure its the right amount. I was overcharged twice, and paid without realizing and it took an act of congress and almost a year to get my $200 back. They have been by far the worst third party DME provider I have ever dealt with.

3

Medtronic Used to be this way too, but finally (after a decade) they now allow you to do "most" of it online, including ordering supplies, placing reorders, and Finally allowing you to make payments for your share of the deductible online instead of by mail only.

Welcome to the 21st century huh?