I started using Omnipod last month and loving it. The problem I’m having is that I have to use a third party, Edgepark, to get my supplies in network. I’m really having a problem with them sending out my pods. January 2 they sent me the started kit and one month of pods. I was very lucky in getting trained right away, 1/12, and I went live on insulin that day. On 1/27 I was told by Edgepark that on 2/2 they would ship me out a 90 day supply. Sometime in January United Healthcare approved a 90 day supply of pods.
I found out on 2/6 when I didn’t receive my shipment on 2/5 like I was expecting that Edgepark was holding my order due to not receiving a letter from my doctor. The doctor never received their fax and didn’t until 2/9. On 2/6 they reluctantly sent me one box of pods. Now I’m fighting with them to get my last two boxes.
Is there anyone else out here on United Healthcare and using Edgepark? If so are you having any problems with them?
I use Edgepark as well and have had no problems in fact they send things 2nd day if I am in a jam. I will say though UNH requires a stupid amount of forms and sometimes it can be a pain. My suggestion is two fold. First, get at least 3 months supply ( i see u tried that ) every time you order to cut down on the hassle factor for you. Second, I have had more success in getting things done when I call daily to get a status update. It takes a lot of time but it seems like things do not get done otherwise.
I recently found out from visiting with Insulet that new customers get a free box of pods with their first order I did not get that with Edgepark. Insulet tells me they are trying to get approved by UNH so hopefully we can deal direct.
Thanks for your response. You are very lucky. I’m still fighting with them on getting my last two boxes sent out to me. They broke up my order last Friday because I was running out. They received their letter from my doctor this past Monday and are refusing to send me my last two boxes. It appears they do not know what a 90 day supply is.
So far I have filed a complaint with United Healthcare and with Insulet about this company and I’m getting ready to go to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
I was told at the end of January that United Healthcare wouldn’t approve a 90 day supply. Have you always gotten a 90 day supply from Edgepark? What I have been told they just started sending out 3 boxes this month. If you can get them to send you all 3 boxes.
I’m getting ready to go directly with Insulet and pay out of network for my supplies. This is really getting out of hand.
Lisa -
I had a pretty similar experience with Edgepark, although some of the issues were the fault of my endo’s office not getting the correct paperwork faxed over. Jenna at Edgepark has been very helpful in getting the issues resolved and is working on getting 3 months’ worth of supplies at a time approved by UHC for me. Call and ask for her. She is very proactive and seems to be able to get things done. There is word that Insulet and UHC have ironed out a deal to work with each other directly for coverage. There was an article on Streetinsider.com (financial news) that stated:
"January 8, 2009 10:40 AM EST
Canaccord Adams upgrades Insulet Corp. (Nasdaq: PODD) from Hold to Buy. Price target increased from $6.50 to $12.
United Healthcare (UNH) initiated a favorable national coverage policy for disposable insulin pumps effective January 2, 2009. Furthermore, CE Mark is expected in late Q1/09 with the distribution strategy expected soon thereafter, and management is working on various cost-reducing initiatives to conserve cash thus avoiding dilution. Impact: Very positive…Macro impact to Flextronics likely to provide Insulet an opportunity to reduce inventories and gain leverage in price negotiations…Management is focused on reducing expenses and believes there is a path to allow the company to survive on its current cash position."
Sounds to me like we will be able to ditch Edgepark fairly soon.
That is good news. I do hope United Healthcare works out a deal in the near future. Like before my 90 days are up…LOL
Edgepark has finally agreed to send out my two boxes that are owed to me. Not sure if calling the CEO Ronald Harrington and leaving a voice message helped. I swear how hard is it to count out a 90 day supply.
Tony, thanks for the contact. I will keep her name just in case. I did get the lady who was helping me supervisor name and number along with her supervisor name and number. Hopefully I will not have to contact any of them in the future.
Good stuff you found but that is stock research and as such s slightly misleading:). All it means is that UNH is allowing for the reimbursement of the product. Insulet is still not part of their Network. You would think if they reimburse people they would enable us to buy it direct. Go figure stupid insurance companies adding another layer to the process. When will they learn? Insulet is hopeful that soon they will get the nod from UNH that they can deal directly with people in the UNH network. Dont try and make sense of it because it does not make any sense.
I have filed a complaint against UNH with Insulet and was contacted by them yesterday. In their voice message they told me that UNH will not sign a contract with them. They have approached UNH several times trying to work out a deal but they keep refusing. I’m going to try and get in touch with her today and get more information. I will keep everyone posted on what she has to say.
If you ever have any problems with Edgepark and would like to contact Ronald Harrington the CEO he’s extension is 3089.
Spoke with Insulet and it is not their policy to send a FREE box of pods with a new order but rather an extra box which is billed to insurance. There seems to be confusion about this item I thought I wold post the clarification for all those concerned.
I started on the OmniPod with a job that self-insured (and left within a week of getting my OmniPod- they had only approved 2 boxes of pods at a time) My new job doesnt have UHC but my insurance said they would cover my pods but didnt have a supplier! I called and called and called and was finally told Edgepark could supply them to me only to have Edgepark tell me they didnt carry them! (this was about 6 months ago) In desperation I had my endo call my insurance company and presto! I had three boxes overnighted from OmniPod the next day! Apparently, all my insurance needed was a “friendly” threat about standard of care from my endo. OmniPod sends me my three boxes every three months and so far I havent had any insurance issues. Maybe your endo could call UHC?
