So I ordered the t:slim on Thursday and received it the next day. Now I have to decide on a in network distributor for supplies. Since T:Slim is not in network, I can’t order from them.
I’m down to Edge Park or Diabetes specialty center?
The main points I’m trying to consider the the following.
customer service
Shipping times (I believe both have free shipping so shipping cost is something that is equal)
Cost of supplies, my insurance covers %80
Corrections, being a new pumper I have only tried a couple infusions on without a pump, so if I order a 3 month supply (insurance minimum) and decide the infusion is not for me what vendor is better to work with on having the other 2 months switched out.
Automatic re-orders so I don’t have to worry about ordering once I fins the best infusions that work for me.
Please share any experiences, good or bad. Let me know your opinions. I would guess that both vendors charge about the same but Edge Park refused to tell me the cash cost with out me giving them my health care info. I can do the math myself, it’s not hard to subtract %80.
Side gripe, I do t want to hand out my insurance info any more unless I know I’m going with that company. I met with 4 pump companies, three of them insisted on the insurance information. It was like buying a car. We can talk to you unless we know you credit score, how annoying. Then these 3 companies sent paper work to my doctor as if I told them I was going to buy it. My doctor called me to ask what pump I was choosing because she had paperwork from three different ones. I had to apologize to her and tols her to throw out all three and I would give her the paper work of the one I choose when I choose. These reps must be commission…but I can say Tandom spent considerable amount of time answering questions, even met with the rep and never required my insurance info until I said I wanted that pump
They have amazing customer service. I was just there today. It is very nice to have a brick and mortar location (or4).
I usually pick up my supplies, so I don’t know about shipping times, but as far as the cost, if you go with a preferred provider, the cost of supplies will be the same. Your insurance will have a maximum allowable for an infusion set and you will pay 20% of that price, not the cash price the company charges. FYI.
Exchanges policies are different depending on the item purchased. For example, sensors, no matter where you go, have almost no exchanges. DSC has a 15 day return policy on sensors, since they are perishable.
Talk to your pump rep about sampling different types of infusion sets and tubing lengths because most places I have gone will not exchange or return opened boxes. Infusions sets generally come in a box of 10. If you decide you can’t use a certain kind, your insurance won’t like to cover another box, either, sometimes, you can talk to the person who is taking your orders and they will sell you individual sets, rather than full boxes, until you figure out what you like.
The other nice thing about DSC is that they can do your test strips and insulin, and ar very knowledgable about insurances and how to bill them (ie. prescription benefit vs. durable medical equipment) to your best benefit.
I have come to the conclusion that no matter who you talk to everyone wants to tell you the price of supplies after deductible is me. So what I originally thought would be a break even or slightly less to what I’m paying for MDI turned out to be wholly $¥£T.
So before I hit any of the prices that any of the pump companies said my supplies would cost I have to throw out $2,500 first. Dexcom is completely out of the question at this point, I can even think about adding that to my costs. I have to pay $250 more than I did from doing MDI if I decided to keep the pump.
So tell me, is this pump worth keeping? Will i feel better if I get the peaks to humps after I eat? I know, I know… They claim better management with a pump and in longer have to take 8 to 10 shots a day. Accept for the ridicules added stress from work causing my A1C to tip 8.1 I’m usually around 7.5. Not sure if this extra cost would be worth it so what’s you opinions?
Also because my doctor on vacation by the time I get training and maybe see any benefit in actually using the pump I will be out of my 30 day return and feel like I wasted $1,000 for the purchase if it doesn’t work. I could go on with a big rant, but what’s the point. I’ll try to keep this small instead.
And how do some of you afford the dexcom and pump? I’m told I have a good insurance but it changed a little now with Obama care coming, they went to a deductible to get more money a couple years ago. My company claimed it was cheaper for the people, yea right. So now a normal dr visit of co-pay $20 is done by percentage and may only be $5. But if you have a desies like this what used to be $30 co-pay for a specialist now runs me $300+ after the normal blood work. So No raises in three years (basically was supposed to feel luck I still had a job), health cost up a lot every three months, and now this increase from pump supplies. I feel like I just took a 6$,000 pay cut, and that’s after taxes. This Obama care better work out. But at this point I feel like I would have better coverage if a lived off the state on unemployment or disability.
The decision to do the pump was after the last six months seeing 3 people put on dialssis from kidney failure, one co-worker loosing some toes and my father getting his leg amputated next month from this daisies. It’s almost as if I feel like if I don’t that is my fate. So I have to use money that I try to set for retirement or meet my fate. Maybe I should just accept my fate because working hard with a job that is killing me by stress to have health care that does not seem to want to prevent future complications with out having to spend my saving for retirement does not seem to make sense. So to keep the pump that may or may not help me could let me keep my legs so I can enjoy retirement with no money, WHAT. Realy. That is if this desies does not take my heart before I even reach the age to retire like it did with another friend I had.
Ok, I’m done for now. Type 1 for years and I never let this desies affect my over all mood for the most part. But now trying to do something that I am told is better for me has really got me down and feeling like nothing is worth it. Ya know, I never could understand when people talked about being depressed or just giving up, but I’m starting to understand them now.
I think there is a learning curve associated with any new gadget, that, plus the financial strain, plus a doc out of town, is enough to cause anyone a stress increase, I have been pumping since 2001, and would not go back to MDI for anything. I do think it is more expensive, but you will likely find out that you can “stretch” your supplies. (You probably reuse your syringes and lancets, even thought your prescription is for one time use.) you can do the same with certain pump supplies, too. I would try it for at least a year. By then, I would be willing to bet that you can’t imagine going back to needles.
Often, you can get training from the pump rep and diabetes educators if you doc is out of town. Especially because of the need for weekly tweaks and adjustments to your basal rates and bolus ratios, etc.
Thanks for the words. You say you would never go back to MDI, but is this out of conscience or because you see a difference in your numbers and energy from not swinging high and low?
Believe or not I have only reused 1 syringe in 20 years and that was because I ran out from being stuck at an airport snowed in. And my others were in my Cary on in the belly of a plane in another state. I have heard of people reusing but couldn’t find much details. With the t:slim using a bag I would be worried about the bag breaking down from the insulin and you can’t see the bag. As for the infusion sets I could re-use the tubing, but not sure what good that would do if the tubing comes with the cannula. I am not aware of a way to order just the casuals? Or am I not understanding something?
Are you sure you received accurate estimates of your on going cost to stick with the pump? I know we all have different insurance plans but the monthly out of pocket for me to convert to a pump is just slightly more than shots. Also, my out of pocket for the Dexcom G4 is $200 to start and then $45 a month. Double check your out of pocket numbers and keep your head up.
One thing you might consider is going with the Dexcom sensor and continuing with shots. Having all the data the sensor gives you can give you better control of your bg without the pump. My doc suggested this to me as an option.
Whatever you decide to do give it a 110% and don’t let diabetes win.
Thanks. I have two more calls in and someone mentioned that some prescription plans cover the dexcom sensors? Another thing I need to look at I guess. But as it stands I have received two different numbers that are higher than I’d like them to be. Then it’s always a chance that number will change once I go to get the refill. I guess I’ll have to wait and see. But the wait and see means I will be past my return date on the pump and I would hate to loose that money for something I could not afford on going supplies for. And I believe I can’t sell the pump like a phone to recoup that money. I guess I’m not a gambler and like things to be up front. With different numbers from different companies who knows what I should believe. But I will wait the week and see what the others call back with.
Scott - I use Diabetes Specialty Center. They are very good! The only problem I have is they will not ship my insulin to me and since my work hours don't allow me to get to their office I have to get the insulin through my pharmacy. Other than that they have been great! I don't know of any company that will do an automatic reorder anymore but DSC does have your previous order on file and you can just tell them to send another just like it. I have had issues with being allergic to the adhesive on the insets and allergic to the various alcohol and IV prep wipes. DSC has been very good to exchange unopened boxes for me.
As for going back to MDI. Not in a million years! The small extra expense for the pump and supplies is so worth it! I can give myself a bolus anytime and not have to do it in the bathroom or try to hide the needle under the table. Also, I wasn't sure how beneficial the pump would be for me since I was usually between 7.5 and 8.5 for my A1c's on MDI. Since going on the pump 1 1/2 years ago I have not had an A1c over 6.6.
Now about your insurance, the way insurance works is that you have to pay your deductible then the company will start paying. Usually things like bloodwork, DME (Durable medical equipment), Insulin pump, Outpatient proceedures (minor surgeries, day surgery, erays, etc) will all apply towards your deductible. That may be why your doctor visits are $300 +. Have you checked with your insurance company to see how much of your deductible has been met yet? When does your insurance plan start over? Is it in January? Insurance can be confusing. I know, I work with it every day.
On a side note, I LOVE my T-Slim! This is actually my second pump in 1 1/2 years. Had all kinds of problems with my first one because of where I work, then switched to the T-Slim and have had no problems.
