I'm considering the Omnipod but my insurance company does not cover Freestyle test strips. I know it's an extra hassle to carry around another BG meter and punch in BG numbers but I'm willing to do that if the Omnipod can be used effectively without having to use the integrated Freestyle BG meter.
Does anybody else have similar issues? Can I get along with the Omnipod without having to use the integrated Freestyle meter?
The other pump I'm considering is the Ping.
Thanks!
Fred
They cover the Omnipod but not the strips? Have you pushed back at all, or called Omnipod to get them to talk to your insurance company? That makes no sense at all.
When I went on Omnipod my medical supplier (CCS Medical) actually started sending my test strips out as Durable Medical Equipment instead of a prescription. This allowed them to get around any test strip rules. I’m actually getting them to do the same thing with my insulin now 'cause they’ve got a new rule that says I can only get Novolog which I’m allergic too. My one caution is that it is more expensive for me to get the test strips as DME than a prescription but even without them I hit my max out of pocket payment so it doesn’t really affect me. It’s something to consider.
I would suggest talking w/ the insurance company and/or Insulet, as Barbra suggested. However, I could understand if that’s a “no”, b/c the pump and the actual meter are basically two separate entities. If Abbott is not on formulary with your insurance company, but someone else like OneTouch or Rouche (accu-check) is, they may only be willing to pay for those other types of strips.
To answer your question though, I use several other meters (some in my house, one at work, one in my gym bag, one with my cycling stuff, etc) and can manually enter BG values w/o any issue. Mine all happen to be freestyle-based meters, but that does not change the fact that I test on something else and enter the number manually. So yes, it’s definitely do-able 
As far as the Ping is concerned, both Omnipod and the Ping are great pumps, but each has pros and cons…so you’ll have to weigh those out in your decision-making process.
Yeah, crawling around in the mind of my insurance carrier makes me feel icky inside. If my overall health care is not affected, I just try to go along my merry way. I actually had to switch from my Abbott Freestyle to either an Accuchek or One Touch when my insurance plan changed at the begining of the year. Same company, just different plan. Not a biggie because they cover 100% of my meter and strips. They just prefer Accuchek and One Touch.
From what I understand, Insulet and Abbott are partnered for the Ominpod integrated BG meter, but they are seperate companies? All I know for sure is that my insurance company will cover 80% of any insulin pump regardless of the manufacturer.
Anyway, not a big deal for me if the Omnipod does not lose effectiveness if not used with the integrated Freestyle. I’ll pursue getting the Freestyle test strips covered in mine and my carriers good time, but it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker right now. I’m just ready to get pumping and I’m seeing my endo about it soon.
Thanks Bradford, sounds like a non-issue from a performance standpoint then. =)
Other things I’m considering:
I’m very active which I understand doesn’t really matter for either system, but I do Brazilian Jiujitsu. From what I understand, the Omnipod can be placed in a more wide range of locations, maybe out of harms way, but can’t be removed totally without having to refill a new pod and start all over again. The Ping is limited by the tubing, but I can DC it if I have to without wasting insulin.
I’m not sure how costly either systen will be in the long run if I have to be disconnecting pods and cannulas evertime I roll around on the mat, but I imagine that the Ping is a bit more convenient in that aspect?
I guess another question I have, is it possible to refill a pod using Novolog pens? I’d like to have those as a backup, but my insurance won’t cover both pens and vials.
I’d get a sample pod and try it out during a Jiujitsu match/training (not sure what you refer to it as). That way you’re not out any insulin or money if it falls off
It sounds like it may be better for you to go w/ the Ping so that you can disconnect, etc. If you had a lot of matches on a particular day it might be difficult w/ a pod…but since I have no first-hand experience w/ that type of activity, I don’t want to deter you if it may, in fact, work! And to speak to the tubing, I used a MM for several years, and while I LOVE the tubeless aspect, the tubing was not the end of the world–it was still a good pump. So the Ping may be what you need.
And while I don’t know with certainty, I think you may be able to use a pen to refill rather than the syringe that comes w/ it…but the pen caps may not be long enough to get through the seal, so I don’t know about that. You could talk to an Insulet rep (but they may or may not have a ‘company position’ with which they have to stick to regarding a question like that). The other thought is that you could get insurance to cover vials and then pay out of pocket for 1 or 2 pens (they may only sell it as that 5 pack box though). But then you’d have a “backup” around without having to hassle with the pens not working well at refilling the pods, etc.
Each pod comes with a “fill syringe” that can either be inserted into a pen or a vial to draw insulin out of. If you were to use it on the pen, however, then the pen should not be used as a normal pen (dial up a dose and press the end to administer) because you’ll have messed up it’s mechanics. I find I’m always carrying some extra pods and a vial of insulin around anyway so I just throw a couple of syringes into the kit too. But I have heard of people who will carry a pen as a back-up (carry with them for a few weeks) and then use that pen to fill their pods and start carrying another emergency pen.
No more competitions for me, just training sessions with some sparring a few times a month for a couple of hours. =)
Great idea about the sample pod though. Just got the email from the area rep that it’s on its way. If it gets here before my endo appointment, I can give it a go!
Thanks again!
Great! That’s sounds workable. In my usual 3 months supply, I always end up with more pens than I can use anyway. I’m sure it’s not as easy as it sounds, but options are always nice to have.
When we switched to the pods we had just received a shipment of One Touch strips and just punched in the glucose numbers. The carry case that comes with the PDM has a place for an extra meter, which is convenient.
One question that you can ask your insurance carrier is if the approval of the pump automatically means approval of all associated supplies. In the case of the Omnipod, you could make the logical argument that the Freestyle strips are associated supplies for the pump/PDM.
I would love for my insurance company to be moved by logical arguments.
My insurance company just did the same thing to me. One Touch is the “preferred” testing system, so they will no longer cover the Freestyle strips at the same rate. I can get them, but they will cost me. That said, I use my One Touch meter many times rather than the Freestyle, and I have not had any problems with putting readings into the PDM and getting good control. Sometimes, just to check, I test twice – once with the One Touch and once with the Freestyle. I find the readings very close… so much so, that it does not affect the bolus amount. Don’t be afraid to stay with the One Touch and just enter the numbers. You should have no trouble.
I had the exact same issue with getting approval for my strips. Yes I could use my Aviva and manually key in every BG number, but what a pain! Especially since it means not only carrying the PDM but carrying a separate BG meter as well. My doctor’s office had to call up my insurance company and “insist” that the Freestyle strips be allowed since it’s the only strip compatible with the Omnipod’s built-in BG meter. They didn’t tell the insurance company that I could just key in the numbers but they stressed the built-in part for me. After about two weeks of going back and forth, it finally got approved with the same co-pay as with Roche strips. Good luck and see if you can get your endo’s office to help. They might be able to “pull some strings” for you.
FHS -
Bradford does seem to know alot abou this stufff. I agree with everthign he says! (though I amn not a doctor, despite my picture). All I want to add is GOOD LUCK!
Thank you Steve! Much appreciated.
I have the Aviva as well. It definitely wouldn’t hurt to, at least, see if it’s possible to get the Freestyles approved. It’s just nice to know a big decision like this is not deoendent on my insurance company being reasonable about test strips!
I got my Omnipod a few months ago and was livid when my insurance denied the freestyle strips. I definitely didn’t want to carry around the PDM, my CGM AND another meter! My doctor just wrote a letter if medical necessity and it went through no problem after that. Hopefully that works for you if you decide on Omnipod! As far as placement, I wear mine on the top of my upper thigh. Pretty much right under where the pocket would be when I’m wearing pants. For me it seems to be most out of the way there.
Yo0ur welcome, Bradford. I’ve been reeading these discussions every day now for a least 5 mos, and you are obviously one of the most informed people in all of them! How long you been a Podster? How long with the blessed disease? (for me its 5years and 30 years, consecutively)
Excuse me…FHS!!! obviously, I am a little distracted today, although all Ive said about Bradford is the truth. He does know an awful lot!