I’ve been using a Tandem T-Slim X2 for three months now and it’s a great system.
But, what happened today really upset me.
I got a call from a Tandem representative that because they just had a contract change with my insurance company, they can no longer fill my supplies and I’d have to call this other company.
Then he gave me my number and sent me on my merry way. He didn’t say if it’d cost the same, he didn’t say if they’d be able to transfer my information and my prescriptions, nothing. Just…call em and good luck.
So I call this other company and HE can’t tell me how much I’m going to have to pay either, or if it’ll be more. On top of that, I already completed my order with Tandem so they’ve got my $400 for now and I don’t know how much I’ll have to pay this other company.
Why didn’t they tell me beforehand? Someone could’ve called me and said "Jake, unfortunately you’ll have to start filling your supplies with this other company, but they’re good and here’s what you need to know yada yada yada. No, it’s just…"Well, we can’t help you anymore so we don’t care if you’re helped or if you get your life-saving supplies anymore because someone signed a new deal in some boardroom somewhere and we can’t tell you any more. It’s just…frustrating!
Its possible your insurance company initiated the change.
Tandem wouldn’t be able to tell you costs, etc. Your insurance may have changed to get lower costs.
Its often a challenge, but I’ve had best luck asking my employer rep (HR) or the DME supplier for details on coverage.
Many companies are still impacted by COVID and some working from home, and I found this often causes mis-communications, delayed callbacks.
I started Tandem last year and had problems with that, hopefully it has improved.
I had this happen with Tandem and Dexcom both. To be fair it’s highly annoying.
In my case I ordered sensors from Dexcom on a Friday & tried to get my transmitter refilled as well since it was expiring in a day or two. I was told then I would have to call back the following Monday. Between Friday and Monday lol and behold I suddenly had to go elsewhere to get my Dexcom supplies because of my insurance company and they couldn’t help.
I had a similar incident with Tandem when I was fortunate enough to be double covered. They sent me down the road because they don’t do double coverage billing. It took me an extra four weeks to get my supplies but once I was set up with the other company everything was rather seamless.
These things pop up at the start of the new year, when insurance company changes take effect. To be honest, many can do this at any time of year, it comes down to state law, But, it unusually pops up in the New Year. Its called “Non-medical switching,” I think. Its an insurance thing.
The original post is that insurance changed which SUPPLIER of dme was to be used. Not the same as “Non-medical switching”.
Medical switching in my last case was change to my synthoid generic brand. I ended up keeping the new brand, and after dosage increase, it was working as expected. Other option was to get original one oop.
aahhhh, thanks for clarification.
Same thing just happened to me with Dexcom. My insurance company never dealt with Tandem. I first started with Edgepark and now I’m with Pumps It in Texas. And now with the Dexcom change, I will just use Pumps It for both supplies. I guess it will be easier dealing with just one company getting both at the same time. Gotta look at the positives here, right?! Just another insurance nightmare that we all deal with each and everyday. As good as my insurance is, it is the biggest pain in the butt. A battle everyday!
I deal direct with both companies. I really hate how tandem does their orders.
You call and make your order. Then 2 days later they call back to get payment. And if you miss the call good luck getting that person and they will call back but when I. I. The bathroom or driving and I end up playing phone tag.
That’s the one thing about tandem that drives me nuts
I think it’s just a matter of time before you’re impacted.
I agree. At least let me email someone.
I think my cc is on file so I don’t get a second call for payment.
I have Kaiser Permanente and both tandem and dexcom have Kaiser phone numbers for orders.
I think Kaiser pays for those employees to be based in tandem and dexcom.
It’s the only thing that makes sense.
And also possible that Kaiser will switch to pharmacy coverage and eliminate the dme processing and shipping costs. Unless Kaiser wants more control over who meets requirements/approve patient requests.
My plan now covers as pharmacy, all I need is script.