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    • 5 hours, 13 minutes ago
      Lenora Ventura likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      same here. I was able to get a neurologist to diagnose it as that.
    • 6 hours, 49 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I have developed this very weird numbness and pain in my left outer thigh which I attribute to neuropathy, although there has been no official diagnosis. Of course, like every good diabetic, I did my own research and found that it is called meralgia paresthetica. It only comes on intermittently and rarely interferes with daily functions. Rest remedies it. Having lived with T1D for 56 years so far, I consider myself to be pretty lucky...so far.
    • 6 hours, 50 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I feel the same way. I'm never sure who to believe or how to get a valid assessment.
    • 6 hours, 51 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 9 hours, 33 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      Gastroparesis
    • 9 hours, 34 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      In late summer of 2017 I lost all feeling in both lower extremities to my hips and both upper extremities to my shoulders. It was not all diabetic related though. Lowered the drug in my chemo regimen but didn't reverse by next treatment, so that drug was stopped. Slowly I regained feeling in my arms and legs; left with no sensation in hands & feet up to ankles & wrist. I'm thankful that my oncologist realized that it wasn't just a diabetic thing.
    • 12 hours, 24 minutes ago
      Sandra Rosborough likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 13 hours, 12 minutes ago
      KSannie likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 19 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      My feet were killing me when I started taking insulin. Saw on another website that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) was good for neuropathy. Once I started taking it, the pain was gone within a week! Still using it 20 years later, still pain free
    • 16 hours, 20 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 39 minutes ago
      magoo likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 39 minutes ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 16 hours, 52 minutes ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      Do you live with diabetes-related neuropathy?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. There have been slight indications of neuropathy for a number of years. However it is not severe. Whenever I go to orthopedics, I try to stop at endocrinology first and get an accurate assessment of my current neuropathy. Whenever a non-endocrinologist doctor reads I’m T1D every problem I’m having is caused by T1D. Then the root, non-diabetic, issue is never addressed.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      I spend a bit of time in my garden, yardwork , the animal shelter. Days I'm not with the Shelter my herd gets walked.
    • 1 day, 5 hours ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      avid cyclist for many years now ........... OK ..... add in resident year around maintenance yard work
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Walking and hiking.
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      Steven Gill likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Try pausing insulin on your pump if you are below 150mg/dl.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Daniel Bestvater likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Dennis Dacey likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Good old WALKING!
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      What types of exercise do you participate in regularly? Select all that apply.
      Really struggle with bouncing blood sugars and so I don’t exercise. I know this is a bad thing but really end up with so much bouncing hard to figure it out.
    • 2 days, 13 hours ago
      Bonnie Lundblom likes your comment at
      What event(s) prompt you to calibrate your CGM? Select all that apply.
      I always do 3 successive finger sticks about 1 day after applying a new G7 sensor. I'm amazed at how much variability there is among sensors. Some are spot on, and remain so during the entire 10 days, while the worst I saw was off 100 mg/dl at the start (reading half of the actual level) (I demanded -- and got -- a replacement for that outlier, since I did't want to have to trust it for days and go through piles of strips just to see if it was as bad as it seemed). I generally also do another batch of 3 tests several days later, just to check. I care about accuracy. I've found that it is essential to do multiple sequential finger sticks to get an accurate number from strips, since they too are far more variable than I am comfortable with. If the variability in strips is too great, I do 4 tests rather than 3, and throw out one, averaging the rest. I love my CGM, but it doesn't completely replace strips.
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    Does your health insurance offer benefits or cover services that meet your needs?

    Home > LC Polls > Does your health insurance offer benefits or cover services that meet your needs?
    Previous

    If you use an insulin pump or CGM, how does your summer wardrobe impact where you insert your pump or CGM? Select all that apply.

    Next

    Has a stranger ever approached you to talk about your visible diabetes device(s)?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    37 Comments

    1. Steve Rumble

      My insurance covers my needs, but not my desires. CGMs and pumps are not considered medical necessities, finger pricks and MDI meet my needs, so they are not covered.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. LizB

      My insurance technically covers all pumps, but not really. I can get Medtronic infusion sets or sensors or a new transmitter for a special $30 diabetes co-pay. But that diabetes category somehow only includes Medtronic. Everything else has to meet a $2,000 deductible and then 30% of the full price after the deductible is met. I don’t see why Dexcom is considered to be anything other than “diabetes” supplies and has different rules than Medtronic. I can’t afford it so I have to stay with Medtronic. Anything not on the pharmacy formulary’s preferred drug list (preferred is basically cheap generic drugs) is pretty much full price. Humalog and Lantus are the preferred insulins and while Humalog works for me, if I have to go back to MDI I’ll end up having seizures again. Lantus is just barely one step better than NPH for me. They only cover One Touch strips and I hate them after using the Contour Next for over 3 years.
      I know I should be grateful that I can get a pump & supplies and insulin at an affordable price. The crappy test strips are still expensive on my plan.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Gustavo Avitabile

      I live in Italy. Our NHS National Health System fully covers all diabetes drugs and devices.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Patricia Dalrymple

        What about preexisting conditions?

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Mary Dexter

      Begrudgingly

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Merry Woolsey

      It covers MOST labs and my scripts are only $25/month. BUT I can’t get a CGM covered YET. It has been in past with a co-pay of around $100/month. I am 57 yo and I have Tricare Humana military.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Larry Martin

      Now that I am on Medicare with a Supplement, NOT PART C, I pay only $233 a year. When I was on the ACA my deductible was very high but DME was not part of the deductible but was only a discounted price and a percent of that. The Pump itself was subject to the decuctible (fancy that) so I had to pay $4000 for it in 2020. They did allow no interest financing for 6 months. My Medicare premiums are probably higher than most buy an extra $140 a month more than pays for the $1,000s every 3 months for supplies and a pump every 4 years so I am finally happy. I also pay nothing for insulin and test strips.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. GLORIA MILLER

      As with Steve Rumble, my Federal BCBS meets my needs but not my desires. I have an Omnipod and Libre but I want the Omnipod 5 and Dexcom G7 (when the FDA gives approval) but my insurance says no. Eventually they will agree but it is frustrating to having to wait for something that will help prevent so many lows that I experience after 65 yeas T1.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. ELYSSE HELLER

        What is going on with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield FEP program, which I also have. I never had problems with this insurance but now it seems as if we need prior authorizations for everything. I have been fighting with my doctor and the insurance company for months now. I agree, it is very frustrating. Are you on the Liveongo program? FEP BLUE sends you the meter and strips at absolutely no cost. I plan to keep fighting them until they agree to cover the Omnipod 5. This is not exactly how I planned to spend my retirement years.

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Mick Martin

      I live in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), where our NHS (National Health System, which is financed via direct taxation of all working people) fully covers all diabetes drugs and devices.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. ELYSSE HELLER

        I wish that we had National Health Insurance in the USA. The argument against socialized health care that I always hear is “you will never be able to get an appointment under socialized health care”. Well, I decided to switch endocrinologists in May because my doc is not filling out the prior approval needed for my insurance company to cover Omnipod 5. The earliest appointment that I could get was October 19. That argument has never held any water.

        1
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. Patricia Dalrymple

        So preexisting conditions are covered unlike Ontario Canada?

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Meghan Larson

      Needs, yes. Wants, no. Restricted to certain pump, insulins, etc.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Daniel Bestvater

      I do not have any insurance for medication or diabetic supplies. With a pre-existing condition I can not get coverage in Ontario Canada.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Patricia Dalrymple

        You are the first with socialized medicine that says coverage isn’t there due to preexisting condition. One for Obamacare in the U. S. I was always fearful before that of losing my job.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. AnitaS

        Wow, I thought that diabetes supplies are covered with the universal coverage in Canada.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
      3. Teri Morris

        I hear you. I built a house, but can’t get it insured as a diabetic. Ontario can sometimes not even be comprehended.
        If, for any reason, I lose my home, I will not be able to survive.

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Marty

      Medicare Part B + supplement covers 100% of my pump and CGM costs, including insulin, but I am restricted to the one kind of insulin (Lispro) offered by the only feasible Medicare part B supplier. I’d love to try Affreza, but it’s not covered. I lost vision and dental coverage, of course, when I went from my employer’s PPO insurance to Medicare.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Joan Fray

      So far, my needs and my coverage are met by Kaiser California. I don{t even know if I should want anything else. I do pay 20% on the Dexcom equipment, and the Tándem pump, but strips are fully paid for. I dont test with strips as much as I should, but I do ok.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Christina Trudo

      I get what I need on Medicare, but in order to get the coverage I need my combined costs (Medicare, supplement, and drug plan) cost more than most any employer plan I’ve had, and for less coverage. This is not the time of life to have to be dealing with this stuff. I guess I can consider that I have just been quite lucky during my employed years.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. gary rind

      my PBM is the bigger problem. kicking me off FIASP so will be trying Lyumjev later this month. we’ll see what happens.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Moe Giguere

      I rate Kaiser an Always. They do a great job. Pay 100% on Dexcom, Cpap, and reasonable copayments on everything else. All health info integrated in one place. Doctors easy to talk to (email). Pharmacy pick up or mail order off your phone. Great web site with tests results readily available.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. cynthia jaworski

        this contrasts with what I hear from others. A friend who has had t1 for 50 years has not been given access to an endocrinologist since he is “doing just fine” without it. Thw same response when a cgm was asked for: “your A1c is good without it.” I guess alot depends on the individual Kaiser office4, and perhaps the aggressiveness or persuasiveness of the patient?

        2
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. cynthia jaworski

      there are some services that are continually being offered that I would prefer not be pushed so strongly. Everybody wants to coach me. For a while I would get a monthly call in which I was asked what I am doing to improve my a1c. My answer is that I will continue doing what I am currently doing since it is working pretty well. Do I have a “game plan” from my doctor? Good grief!

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Brian Vodehnal

      I would think they would pay 100% for CGMs…it’s preventative and helps keep costs down for treatment of issues related to blood sugar management.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Janis Senungetuk

      Right now, yes, but things keep changing with the percent of coverage along with formulary changes. When my spouse retires soon it’ll be a totally different story.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Karen Mason

      So far good. Medicare/supplement, but that could change.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. PamK

      I had great insurance through my spouse’s employer for years which covered everything. Unfortunately, the business closed due to COVID and we had to find insurance as we were both out of work. We chose a plan on the government marketplace that listed my CGM/Pump as covered with a Prior Auth. So, I thought I would be able to get them, but would possibly pay a little more.
      Well, so far they are not covering either one. Several attempts have been made to get authorization, but they keep denying coverage.
      I don’t want to switch to a new pump or CGM because I have tried the other two pumps that are currently available here in the US, and I did not have good control with either one. I’ve also tried one of the other CGMs and it did not work well for me. There are two other CGMs on the market, but I don’t know if they are covered. I do know that they will not pair with my pump. So, I am very disappointed with this new plan and hoping that one of us can find full time work with benefits. For now, I am having to pay out of pocket for my supplies, which is costly.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Ahh Life

      Dental coverage and health insurance are like two ships passing in the night – neither one really sees the other.

      I have supplemental dental insurance. Costs an arm and a leg and covers oh, about a fingernail or two. What about the 32 chompers? I kinda would like some decent treatment of them too. ¯\_( ͠❛ ෴ ͡❛)_/¯

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. KarenM6

      They are stingy with the delivery of CGM supplies. They also don’t cover any new technologies. They also require a huge (imo) deductible, so I practically pay for insurance and supplies half of the year. While I realize that I receive way more benefits and care than many people (especially compared to countries where it’s hard to get and keep insulin let alone the fancy tech), it is still annoying that things like AID technologies aren’t covered. You’d think they’d jump on it considering how well they appear to work!
      Also, the level of approval and waiting for approvals does not meet my needs.
      Nor does taking medications (that I’ve been on for years) off their formularies when the “substitute” really does not work as well.
      It REALLY doesn’t meet my needs for my insurance to act like my doctor.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Russell Buckbee

      The major thing they miss are BG test strips as they claim that I don’t need them since I’m on a CGM. (Right how do I calibrate it?)

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. AnitaS

      I was always happy with my medical coverage for diabetes medical supplies until I applied to get afrezza. Sadly they don’t cover that.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Teri Morris

      Not the current health insurance through work. The company they used to use covered CGMs, but Green Shield does not, and will not, so I can’t afford to spend $100 every 12 days for a treatment that they have deemed is not “essential”.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Lawrence S.

      Most of my diabetes supplies are covered, after I pay the Medicare deductible. Other services are hit or miss. It seems that I’m either paying deductibles or large copayments. Sometimes I get rejection notices that “this service is not covered.” Overall, I am NOT satisfied with the quality of my health insurance. I purchase my own dental and vision insurances. The dental is expensive, and I seem to have a lot of deductibles and copayments there, as well.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Steven Gill

      My insurance provides good coverage but there is a sizeable deductible. My CGM and pump copay could be a new car but I’m fortunate to be healthy and have a job. And yes competing against kids have made me consider a less physically demanding adventure but now’s not a time to risk anything.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Carol Meares

      Reading through the comments, I fall somewhere in the middle or better in my insurance coverage. I can’t get Afrezza and preauthorizations are becoming much more common practice making access to helpful meds more difficult and time consuming. Access to physicians will become more difficult for me as my endo and general practitioner will both be retiring. I don’t know if our community will get another endo to replace him. Off subject but that’s what’s on my mind. We need more doctors and nurses. And we need universal healthcare to make health options more equal to American citizens.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Cheryl Seibert

      I marked “usually” because when I retired, I lost group dental and vision coverage, but not major medical. Because of T1D, the majority of my eye services are covered through major medical. HOWEVER, the refraction is not covered even though I have individual vision insurance. This is due to private insurance companies not using Coordination of Benefits with my major medical insurance. Its the same with my private dental insurance as well. The dentist does not participate in networks for private companies. So I pay a dental premium, but they only cover about half of a dental cleaning.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    Does your health insurance offer benefits or cover services that meet your needs? Cancel reply

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