During the pandemic, have you experienced shipping delays for your T1D supplies? Tell us in the comments how these issues were handled.
Home > LC Polls > During the pandemic, have you experienced shipping delays for your T1D supplies? Tell us in the comments how these issues were handled.
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) 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 Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
Turned out to be not significant because I try to do plan ahead. Living in Alaska one always has to plan ahead because of shipping. Sometimes insurance makes it difficult to plan ahead because they refuse to pay. I always want to have 30-60 days of backup insulin, supplies, and meds. I have learned that lesson through times like 911 and now the pandemic.
It’s really hard to know if shipping delays are related to the pandemic or other factors. It’s important to order early and try not to get short on supplies.
I was so thankful to have all supplies and medications delivered to my front door during this pandemic. No problem in receiving or no delays in receiving. All positive news for Mail Order pharmacies !
No shipping delays during the pandemic but I’m suffering from shipping delays since we had a little winter storm here in TX. Been working for two weeks to get my Dexcom order and only have a few days left on my last Dexcom.
I had an order of Dexcom sensors that got “stuck” in a FedEx warehouse for several days in December. I called FedEx and explained that they were medical supplies, and the absolutely incredible agent called me back with daily updates until the package was delivered. I can’t measure the extent to which she was able to expedite the parcel (versus when it would have arrived if I hadn’t called in), but the customer service was phenomenal. I did run out of sensors and had to resort to fingerpricks only for several days, but better to run out of sensors than pump supplies or insulin!
I could not get my Dexcom G6 sensors from Solara-they didn’t have them. I also had a new doctor so a problem with prescription. Dexcom would not let me buy them from them because I am on Medicare. I found a Giant Pharmacy that did let me buy some. Eventually Solara sent them.
Having multiple inputs to my source for supplies, the delay from the time they post they have the order until it gets shipped is sometimes extraordinary. I understand one day or a hold over a weekend. But up to five days to get it into shipping is not necessary. It has happened a couple of times. But the worst thing is the Medicare rule of only a thirty day supply! Really? I plan to be around for more than a thirty day supply.
Amazingly no but letters I mailed weeks ago have not arrived at destinations and I am hopeful all Christmas cards sent my way will arrive before Spring.
Not sure if the shipping delay for my pump supplies were pandemic or holiday related, but I never received the order. It was just pending in the tracking system with no movement. The supplier sent the next set out overnight shipping.
NO!!! At age 7, there’s no such thing as a “honeymoon” stage! All I knew was I got a shot every day AND I HATED SHOTS!!! (You could put one of today’s needles down the barrel of one used on me then!)
Located in N TX so there were massive delays, had Dex Sensors scheduled for Tue 16th, not received until Tue 23rd. It felt like being back in the dark ages before any help, sort of like going back to urine testing. I need a Spare Sensor.
I don’t know if it was related to COVID-19 or not. Could be many things, mostly Byram sending the wrong supplies repeatedly. That made me have to to pay out of pocket for insulin pump and Dexcom supplies or go without for months on end. Since Medicare wouldn’t pay another company for the correct ones and Byram refused to send the correct ones.
I responded NO, and I’ll supplement that response with, since COVID-19, DELIVERY FROM MY SUPPLIERS HAS IMPROVED. All my pump supplies, and all my CGM supplies come through Byram, and with doctor prescription, my CGM orders are placed and shipped on a timely basis by Byram technology without need for my action. Additionally, my other prescriptive medications are shipped automatically, usually much sooner than I need, by the United Health OPTUM Px – I assume the “early delivery is because of this SARS-voX2 pandemic.
I have had numerous problems getting Solara to send me CGM sensors and transmitters, and pump infusion sets (and they keep sending me more cartridges than I need). During the past year I have been unable to use my CGM for more than a week twice. I’m looking for a new supplier.
My OmniDash just quit working. I called and support team was to send me a replacement. This was a Friday evening. Sent via FedEx. No pump by the following Tues. Called and spoke to the support team again. Due to weather issues I was told it was held up. They sent me another one that Tuesday and I did not get the second one until a week later on Wednesday evening. I went 13 days having to take injections.
Turned out to be not significant because I try to do plan ahead. Living in Alaska one always has to plan ahead because of shipping. Sometimes insurance makes it difficult to plan ahead because they refuse to pay. I always want to have 30-60 days of backup insulin, supplies, and meds. I have learned that lesson through times like 911 and now the pandemic.
It’s really hard to know if shipping delays are related to the pandemic or other factors. It’s important to order early and try not to get short on supplies.
I was so thankful to have all supplies and medications delivered to my front door during this pandemic. No problem in receiving or no delays in receiving. All positive news for Mail Order pharmacies !
No shipping delays during the pandemic but I’m suffering from shipping delays since we had a little winter storm here in TX. Been working for two weeks to get my Dexcom order and only have a few days left on my last Dexcom.
I had delays getting CGM sensors, but I attribute that to extremely poor customer service from my supplier, not particularly related to pandemic.
I had an order of Dexcom sensors that got “stuck” in a FedEx warehouse for several days in December. I called FedEx and explained that they were medical supplies, and the absolutely incredible agent called me back with daily updates until the package was delivered. I can’t measure the extent to which she was able to expedite the parcel (versus when it would have arrived if I hadn’t called in), but the customer service was phenomenal. I did run out of sensors and had to resort to fingerpricks only for several days, but better to run out of sensors than pump supplies or insulin!
Shipping got plugged up around the holidays.
The winter weather has caused delays more than Covid has caused issues.
I could not get my Dexcom G6 sensors from Solara-they didn’t have them. I also had a new doctor so a problem with prescription. Dexcom would not let me buy them from them because I am on Medicare. I found a Giant Pharmacy that did let me buy some. Eventually Solara sent them.
Having multiple inputs to my source for supplies, the delay from the time they post they have the order until it gets shipped is sometimes extraordinary. I understand one day or a hold over a weekend. But up to five days to get it into shipping is not necessary. It has happened a couple of times. But the worst thing is the Medicare rule of only a thirty day supply! Really? I plan to be around for more than a thirty day supply.
Nope. Byram for pump and CGM supplies has been great and everything has arrived in a timely way. CVS for insulin and other meds with no delay issues.
Amazingly no but letters I mailed weeks ago have not arrived at destinations and I am hopeful all Christmas cards sent my way will arrive before Spring.
Not sure if the shipping delay for my pump supplies were pandemic or holiday related, but I never received the order. It was just pending in the tracking system with no movement. The supplier sent the next set out overnight shipping.
NO!!! At age 7, there’s no such thing as a “honeymoon” stage! All I knew was I got a shot every day AND I HATED SHOTS!!! (You could put one of today’s needles down the barrel of one used on me then!)
Located in N TX so there were massive delays, had Dex Sensors scheduled for Tue 16th, not received until Tue 23rd. It felt like being back in the dark ages before any help, sort of like going back to urine testing. I need a Spare Sensor.
I only had one delay. It was minor (just a couple of days). EdgePark immediately notified me of the delay.
Answered yes but I think mimimed was just back ordered on cgm sensors at the time
I don’t know if it was related to COVID-19 or not. Could be many things, mostly Byram sending the wrong supplies repeatedly. That made me have to to pay out of pocket for insulin pump and Dexcom supplies or go without for months on end. Since Medicare wouldn’t pay another company for the correct ones and Byram refused to send the correct ones.
I responded NO, and I’ll supplement that response with, since COVID-19, DELIVERY FROM MY SUPPLIERS HAS IMPROVED. All my pump supplies, and all my CGM supplies come through Byram, and with doctor prescription, my CGM orders are placed and shipped on a timely basis by Byram technology without need for my action. Additionally, my other prescriptive medications are shipped automatically, usually much sooner than I need, by the United Health OPTUM Px – I assume the “early delivery is because of this SARS-voX2 pandemic.
I have had numerous problems getting Solara to send me CGM sensors and transmitters, and pump infusion sets (and they keep sending me more cartridges than I need). During the past year I have been unable to use my CGM for more than a week twice. I’m looking for a new supplier.
Items tops longer than before the pandemic.
My supplies that the supplier insisted on shipping USPS were two to seven weeks late, so I had to pay extra to have them shipped UPS or FedEx.
3 weeks late and I’m still waiting. (Better Living Now)
My OmniDash just quit working. I called and support team was to send me a replacement. This was a Friday evening. Sent via FedEx. No pump by the following Tues. Called and spoke to the support team again. Due to weather issues I was told it was held up. They sent me another one that Tuesday and I did not get the second one until a week later on Wednesday evening. I went 13 days having to take injections.