I recently transitioned to Medicare which does not cover the Medtronic CGM sensors. My 670G also just hit the warranty expiration so I’m eligible for new pump. Talking to the Medtronic rep there is no word on when or if Medicare will cover the sensors but she said there is a program where you can buy a box of sensors for $60 and was going to email some info on the program, but it never came. I searched Medtronic’s website and couldn’t find anything. Has anyone heard of this?
I might consider a new Medtronic if this is real, otherwise I can switch to Tandem/Dexcom.
I don’t use Medtronic but I have read of others mentioning that program. If you are on Facebook, you might want to ask your question in the Seniors with Sensors group and I think you will have a couple of people confirm the existence of that program.
These changes in coverage have not yet been instituted but it looks as though there is a path to coverage of Medtronic sensors by Medicare.
CMS admits that it really is just embracing what’s going on in the real world. The fact is that patients are indeed using the Medtronic Guardian 3 sensor to make treatment decisions.
Wow!!!
Medtronics doesn’t have to provide proof of its accuracy. (Which is what CMS was waiting for).
I suspect those that currently use automode successfully, tend to be those very involved in their tight control. My concern would be for those without the skill or diligence to use auto-mode without really understanding it and knowing when incorrect sensor values drive insulin dosing errors.
this is the program you are looking for. It places the sensors on par with medicare pricing.
In addition Medicare has initialized a 90 day regulation review that will if enacted make the sensors eligible for medicare coverage.
rick
Note:I am a Medtronic ambassador. My opinions are my own. They did not pay me to say nice things. OK, they sent me a shirt and a cup but even I am more expensive than that.
Thanks for the link Rphil2. When I searched the Medtronic website I was searching for Medicare. Looks like this is program applies to more than just Medicare.
Last month I called Medtronic to inquire about the $60/box program and was advised that if Medicare did not approve my order, I would be charged $60 per box. I ordered three boxes (3 months supply) and was charged $180.
I make absolutely no claims about whether Medtronic sensors should be considered accurate enough for dosing insulin. I was a perfectly happy Medtronic pumper but left them in about 2012 after years of horrible experiences with their sensors. I am a totally loyal Dexcom user and can’t imagine a scenario that I would return to Medtronic. I am mostly pump agnostic but make my tech decisions based on CGM.
