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    • 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
      Sarah Berry likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      My pump
    • 7 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      One nice thing about a watch for readings is that, while it is normally redundant, you can be separated from your phone. For example, when you are in water.
    • 7 hours, 21 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 8 hours, 21 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I selected “other” because my preference (smart watch, mobile phone, or pump screen) depends on circumstances. Watch for a quick and discrete view; pump if I’m preparing for a profile or activity adjustment or bolus, mobile phone if just a food bolus.
    • 8 hours, 24 minutes ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 9 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Gerald Oefelein likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 9 hours, 28 minutes ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I’m curious about the reasoning behind using a dedicated reader. Could someone please enlighten me?
    • 9 hours, 28 minutes ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I selected “other” because my preference (smart watch, mobile phone, or pump screen) depends on circumstances. Watch for a quick and discrete view; pump if I’m preparing for a profile or activity adjustment or bolus, mobile phone if just a food bolus.
    • 9 hours, 29 minutes ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      For Minimed, the dedicated reader is the pump.
    • 9 hours, 29 minutes ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I chose "dedicated reader". That reader is my pump, a Minimed 780G.
    • 9 hours, 29 minutes ago
      Marthaeg likes your comment at
      If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), where do you prefer to view your CGM readings?
      I use both as you can’t do everything you want in one or the other
    • 22 hours, 1 minute ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How comfortable are you, on a scale of 1–5, with artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into your diabetes technology?
      Sorry. I'm not sold on AI. I don't trust the people making it. There are too many reasons it could go wrong and be disasterous (just read the above comments). I'm not opposed to computers helping with things such as Control IQ, but when the computer starts doing the thinking, I think we've crossed the line. An aside: I've listened to AI music, and I think it sounds impersonal. It lacks a humanness. I don't find it pleasant to listen to. I've heard horror stories about AI being used by the military, with the end result being nuclear holocaust. I am a hard NO to AI. I gave it a "5".
    • 22 hours, 2 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How comfortable are you, on a scale of 1–5, with artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into your diabetes technology?
      I believe that AI may very well become a great tool - but at this time it still makes too many errors for me to be confident in it.
    • 22 hours, 2 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How comfortable are you, on a scale of 1–5, with artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into your diabetes technology?
      Here's my concern. I've used AI when meeting new clients to take notes of my meetings while I'm talking with the client. Ostensibly, this frees me up from having to jot down notes while talking - allowing me to give my full attention to the conversation. (Very good benefit of AI) Then, when reviewing the notes, AI literally fabricated scenarios that weren't discussed (AI Hallucinations are a very bad side effect). Not knowing when AI will fabricate a fact pattern gives me great concern that AI will fabricate a glucose reading and then act on that hallucination. AI has great potential, but it's not ready yet.
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      D-connect likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      I have an MA in writing and lit, but gobbledegook is gobbledegook. The fancy term is obscurantism.
    • 1 day, 3 hours ago
      D-connect likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      They change all the time. Generally not in a direction to improve my health, but to increase the money in their wallet.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      D-connect likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      At the risk of being overly simplistic, it boils down to: "Heads, you lose. Tails, You lose." ╰── ──╮
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      I have an MA in writing and lit, but gobbledegook is gobbledegook. The fancy term is obscurantism.
    • 1 day, 4 hours ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      Extremely. I have a certificate in Medical Billing & Coding.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      "Slightly," I think, maybe. Insurance companies change their policies, constantly. Prescription coverage changes every time I look at it. Medicare is a huge question mark. Honestly, Health insurance has become a big money making business, for them. I get different answers every time I call, depending upon whom I am talking with. I say it's time for socialized medicine.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      atr likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      At the risk of being overly simplistic, it boils down to: "Heads, you lose. Tails, You lose." ╰── ──╮
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How comfortable are you, on a scale of 1–5, with artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into your diabetes technology?
      Roughly half my lows are caused by my auto correct system now. I expect AI hallucinations to make it worse. I have enough hallucinations when I'm low and need non-hallucinatory help. We all need more info on this subject to make better decisions. As my favorite 80's AI robot (Johnny 5) said, "Need input."
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How comfortable are you, on a scale of 1–5, with artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into your diabetes technology?
      I'm not comfortable for many reasons: 1) AI hasn't proven respects boundaries, quite the opposite, too many reports of AI tend to view its responsibilities and decisions as NOT mine; 2) the companies behind AI systems do likewise in not respecting my data as mine and jumble it in with their own; 3) AI systems haven't proven themselves as reliable parties regarding data and actions. There are many more; AI systems have a long way to go before I entrust one with dosing strategies while I'm awake, let alone while I'm asleep!
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How comfortable are you, on a scale of 1–5, with artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated into your diabetes technology?
      I’ve done a large 2 week focus group through Syracuse University on AI. I’ve also been watching shows on European news about AI and medical issues. AI still has too many glitches when it comes to medical issues.
    • 1 day, 8 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      How well do you understand the details of your health insurance coverage?
      At the risk of being overly simplistic, it boils down to: "Heads, you lose. Tails, You lose." ╰── ──╮
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    Have you ever run out of insulin and had issues getting more because of insurance? Share in the comments what you did.

    Home > LC Polls > Have you ever run out of insulin and had issues getting more because of insurance? Share in the comments what you did.
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    How many extra (unopened) insulin vials/pens do you have on-hand?

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    If you’re at an event that asks guests to “silence devices,” do you adjust the alarms on your CGM and/or insulin pump?

    Samantha Walsh

    Samantha Walsh has lived with type 1 diabetes for over five years since 2017. After her T1D diagnosis, she was eager to give back to the diabetes community. She is the Community and Partner Manager for T1D Exchange and helps to manage the Online Community and recruit for the T1D Exchange Registry. Prior to T1D Exchange, Samantha fundraised at Joslin Diabetes Center. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors degree in sociology and early childhood education.

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Their collective expertise is central to our mission of improving outcomes for all people living with T1D.  “We’re excited to be working with our advisors given their deep expertise across a broad range of areas in T1D,” said Dave Walton, CEO of T1D Exchange. “Their involvement magnifies our reach, knowledge, and impact. These advisors are shaping the future of diabetes care — driving innovation across research, clinical practice, and quality improvement.”    Meet the Medical & Research Advisory Team  The T1D Exchange Medical and Research Advisory Team brings together four leading endocrinologists, each offering a unique perspective and shared commitment to advancing T1D care:    Jenise Wong, MD, PhD Pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco Focus areas: Diabetes technology adoption and usability; health equity and access to care and technology; community-based and peer-support interventions; culturally responsive care          Jennifer Sherr, MD, PhD Pediatric endocrinologist at Yale Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut Focus areas: Clinical trials in diabetes technology (CGM and AID systems), disease-modifying treatments and immunotherapies, and emerging technologies and medications, including continuous ketone monitoring and nasal glucagon     Viral Shah, MD Adult endocrinologist at Indiana University Health and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana Focus areas: Diabetes technology and adjunctive therapy trials; translational and data-driven research; T1D complications and bone health         Nestoras Mathioudakis, MD, MHS Adult endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland Focus areas: AI-driven clinical support tools; EMR-based data analytics for clinical decision making; data-driven quality improvement; health equity in T1D care        This accomplished team’s expertise spans adult and pediatric endocrinology, research, and quality improvement affiliated with leading institutions nationwide. 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    21 Comments

    1. Mark Cosiano

      I paid out of pocket to get the insulin.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Janice B

      I once was out of town – dropped and broke my insulin vial. Went to pharmacy and had to pay retail. Then found the silicone vial protector online – what a blessing that has been.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Sherolyn Newell

        I am going to look that up. Thanks.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Sherolyn Newell

      My original prescription was one vial a month, and I always was afraid of running out. Now it’s two vials, and I have insulin to spare because I only use about 1.5. I keep the vials in the refrigerator all the time so I don’t have to worry about the 28 day limit.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Bret Itskowitch

        Good for you. I don’t understand why absolutely everyone doesn’t do this!

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. lenglish@cimginc.com

      I was in another state and my insulin was put into the freezer by mistake. I ended up in the hospital – the only time I’ve been in hospital due to my diabetes – for the entire day, waiting for the doctor in that state to order the insulin…then my insurance declined the order because it was “too early”. Literally begged the insurance person at the company who got managerial permission to allow one vial to cover the rest of my trip. This was prior to being able to pay $35.00 over the counter.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Justin

      Never ran out, but had issues with insurance. For example, they covered insulin pens, but I had to pay out of pocket for the needles and test strips.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Amber Dietz

      I’ve not had issues with insurance, but doctors have been a huge issue. I’ve had doctors who would not write me new Rx until I came to see them regardless of the fact that I still have diabetes and need insulin.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Kristi Warmecke

      At one time my brother and niece were using Novolog, too, and we would loan to each other; then their insurance made them start using Humalog and I couldn’t loan from them due to my allergy to Humalog. So when I saw I was getting close to running out out I began rationing it.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. LuckyPineapple

      One time, somehow, an insurance payment was 10 cents short..they never told us. One day I went to pick up my insulin and they wanted like $600 for it and I was like uhhh no? So I called my insurance right then and there and they said our payment was past due for 6 months so they shut our coverage off. She said we were behind 10 cents. 10 measly pennies. It was a Friday and I didn’t have enough insulin to get me through the weekend. The callous lady was all “you can pay it, and then we’ll reinstate your coverage in 3-5 business days after we receive it” and I said to her..”it’s Friday, so it won’t go through till Monday, then 3-5 days after that?? I’m going to die by then. I will drive to your office and hand you the ten cent piece right now if you just let me get my insulin now. Wouldn’t you rather me be alive and paying you for years than me dying and you never getting money from me again?!” She didn’t care. Thankfully the pharmacist….chemist? Is that what you call them there? lol was kind and lent me some insulin from my prescription from when it was caught up. I couldn’t believe that ten cents was worth more to that insurance company than my *life*.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Joan Benedetto

      Thankfully, no. Our son was diagnosed at 18 mos of age. His Endo encouraged us to use a vial beyond 28 days as he was using less than ten units per day. She also wrote the script to allow for an extra vial in case of breakage. Our son now uses about 25 units per day, but we have somewhat of a stockpile built up.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Brian Vodehnal

      My original endo used to leave town and not tell his patients. Helped him communicate better by finding the mass text function on his software. But it did result in several of us running low and out in some cases. Not sure he still uses it as I’m on with a new Endo.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. BOldfield

      Had to change the brand of insulin that the insurance company approved of

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. PatC

      Purchased Novolin-R (no prescription needed) and filled my pump with it.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Donna Condi

      Because I use one and one half vials a month I keep lots of backup insulin. I’m not sure what I would do if I ran out.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. KarenM6

      Yes.
      I was at a time when I had to order more through a mail order pharmacy. So I ordered there. But, the insulin didn’t show up soon enough even though I paid the extra “expedite” fee.
      So, my doctor gave me a physical Rx and I went to a pharmacy but they wouldn’t give me more and said that the system showed that I had enough already.
      No matter how hard I tried to explain that I _didn’t_ have any, they wouldn’t accept it.
      So, I had to call my doctor (and, I think it was after hours and/or on a Saturday) and he gave me an Rx for a different type of insulin, which did the trick.
      I was panicking hard for awhile there, though!
      It was about another week before the mail order stuff showed up.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Anita Stokar

      I accidentally forgot an extra bottle of insulin when I went on a vacation. I paid out of pocket at a pharmacy while on the vacation so I didn’t use my insurance. However, when I got home, I was able to be reimbursed for the purchase by my insurance. So my answer was “no”.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. KSannie

      I just waited an extra day before getting a new supply. My sugars were a little high.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Jeff Balbirnie

      Absolutely, yes. Pen went bad (insulin became wonky), vials have broken many times. The WORST is when you call to get a literal emergency refill from your medical doctor, but they REFUSE until you have a MANDATORY in person appointment, but cannot get you on the schedule for weeks/months. NOT EXCUSABLE.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Rex Franklin

      When I had KP insurance, I would run out all the time. the worst was when I was fooled to had KP send my insulin by mail order and it was sent in a bag during 100 degree weather. Couldn’t get it replaced to during Open Enrollment I changed insurance.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Vicki Andersen

      When switching to Medicare I ran out of FIASP and they wouldn’t approve my script due to insurance issues. It was a battle and very stressful.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

    Have you ever run out of insulin and had issues getting more because of insurance? Share in the comments what you did. Cancel reply

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