15 Comments
How many times in 2021 did you have an appointment with your main T1D health care provider?
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When younger, I used to see specialists in diabetes care. A primary care physician has been my main doctor for past 20 or 30 years. If I want a specialist (e.g., endocrinologist) I must get a referral from him. Or volunteer for medical research which usually pays a token amount but also can be VERY informative. I was prescribed a CGM without actually seeing a specialist in person in 2021. But next month in 2022 I’ll go over the two week printout from my CGM with an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes. She’s an excellent doctor, but very cynical (as revealed in a leaked email) about ability of diabetics to follow recommended regimens. I really can’t blame her, after having met some newly diagnosed diabetics who are in denial. They ignore Bernstein, ignore low carb diets, ignore insulin or dietary changes. On the other hand I’ve met in person TIDs and pre-diabetics who successfully are very conscientious.
I will ignore Bernstein till the day I die! not going to live my life like that!
I see my endo every 6 mo and if insurance dictates being seen every 3 mo I see NP in between endo visits
Twice with the doctor and once with the nurse practitioner. My next visit is Jan 3, 2022. The doctor and nurse alternate visits.
Medicare requires me to see a “doctor” every 90 days to pay for my insulin pump and durable medical equipment (DME) supplies. I see an Endo nurse every three months. All of my appointments were telemed in 2021.
I’ve been seeing my Endo every 6 months, but last time a scheduling conflict left me seeing hi CDENP assistant and based on that appointment, I think I’d rather continue dealing with her than with him. She also uses an Insulin Pump and seems much more willing to discuss possibly needed dosage adjustments than my Endo himself is willing to look into.
Medicare requires me to see my endo every 3 months or they will not pay for pump supplies. Otherwise I would only need to go every 6 months. This is a waste of health insurance money.
I suppose since I am considered ¨Controlled¨, they leave me alone. I just looked and it was March 2020 since I last had a phone visit. No news is good news?
In addition to the 4 in person visits, I had to call 3 times an extra blood test to prove I was T1D to medicare.
I saw her 3 times and had 1 appointment with the CDE. My endo is so overloaded with patients I’m now scheduled to alternate 90 day appointments between her and the Diabetes Educator.
One was telehealth
Had to get a new endo this year due to insurance and I saw him in January, April & July. In July he recommended 6 months for the next appointment as I don’t really have any concerns that warrant a visit every 3 months. He sent me a lab order in October to do some follow up tests.
Medicare controls this. Once or twice a year would be fine.
My Endo says to see me every 3 months, but they are booked to the brink and I have no major concerns that cannot be dealt with over messaging and time can be made if necessary. I see her about every 4 months, with this last year having only 2 appointments as 2020’s last appt was on Dec 28.
Every 3 months for 36+ years