31 Comments
If you use an insulin pump or CGM, how often do you ration your device supplies because you are concerned about running out of supplies before your next refill?
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Pump supplies – never, because my endo I change sites less frequently than my script. CGM – almost always because it’s down to the day, so if anything goes south I have to extend to make it last until my next prescription is ready.
Luckily, I’ve never had to ration my supplies. But, over the many years, there was a time or two when my supplies came late, or I had problems getting a prescription fill. There was a time after a hurricane, where all of my insulin froze in my refrigerator, and I had to get all new insulin. But, I did not have to ration.
Never for CGM. Get at Walmart. So don’t have to wait for someone to mail
if you are a Medicare patient, as I am, supplies are closely monitored and you never get extra. its down to the wire sometimes. I have bought sensors at an independent place several times because the supply company did. not agree with my usage and I would have had to go without, so I bought a few on my own so that would not happen. It sometimes depends on the person on the phone not understanding exactly what a sensor is or the need to have a constant supply Everyone misses occasionally on having the right amount on Medicare. it requires the prescription to be changed if you go through the doctor. sometimes that is a real time taker and hassle.
I said never but only because I can afford to buy CGM sensor spares. Medicare has made it a nightmare to get refills. Every 30 days I dread what they are going to require this time to refill the prescription. And the dance that goes on between the doctors, pharmacy, Medicare, and me each time is time consuming and so absolutely unnecessary. Once a T1D, always a T1D … at least for now
Pump supplies – never. CGM supplies -always!!! Very stressful and frustrating. I understand the device manufacturers and Medicare have it all tied up in a tidy algorithm but some months have 31 days and several times a year the sensors arrive late. Since I use Tandem’s Control IQ software it is very difficult to maintain my control from finger pricks and boluses if the CGM piece is not there. To say nothing if when a CGM sensor goes bad or other mishap occurs….
Dexcom is pretty generous about mishaps: insertions that become painful in the middle of a session, accidental pull-outs, erratic results, and the like. I don’t recommend doing anything unethical but being diligent about requesting a replacement when such things happen can help to keep you in supplies.
Monthly
With a libre, there is a set time span for each sensor to run. There is no way to save up, except by skipping a day or two. And why skip a day if you have a replacement on hand.
How can you ration CGM supplies? You either install another sensor or you don’t.
My insurance company requires less than two weeks of “medication.” Libre 2 sensors last two weeks. Nothing better happen to that last sensor. It better not get knocked off, stop working, or in the last, not work at all. They have no idea what CGMs are snd don’t care. They are immovable on that two weeks.
My insurance is strict on timing (thank you Medicare), and because delayed doctor visits or snafus in orders from my supplier sometimes cause delays, I sometimes risk not getting supplies in time – and any delay forces a subsequent delay because the insurance timing requirement is reset. I’m now scheduling doctor visits 9 months out to avoid not having a visit with 3 months of a pump supplies reorder. But I’ve had 2 infusion sets pull out prematurely and Medicare (and probably other insurance) won’t adjust timing requirements.
If you have an accident, call the supplier, they will send replacements…at least Medtronic does.
I have my endocrinologist appointments scheduled until 2025, for this reason. It’s a pain at times but at least I know I did my part. Plus I’ve found that if her schedule changes those who’ve been on it the longest get first choice of new appointment time.
Insurance restricts doctor ordered supplies and refill frequency causing shortages every time, to offset this I frequently go over on recommendations to change Zippo I have enough to last until resupply arrives
Zippo? Gotta love the swipe texting and the weird things it throws unexpectedly
I have a Dexcom G6 CGM and I use a hack I found on YouTube to reuse a sensor a second time so I won’t run out.
Can you share?
I’ve tried all the hacks I’ve seen to reuse my G6 and have never had any luck getting it to restart. I’m happy you have.
Here’s a video that shows a couple of different ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx-kTsrkNUM&t=164s
I’ve read of some people restarting their sensors three to four times.
Always supply issues with G6. Medicare makes it very difficult to have just one on hand in case of sensor failure.
Joan, I too would like to have at least one Sensor on hand. Anything could happen–the current sensor could get knocked off, fail, supply chain held up, etc. I have become VERY dependent on my G6!
I would like to share that Dexcom is great when issues arise. One sensor happened to hit a blood vessel when I inserted it. I called Dexom, told them what had happened, and they sent a replacement that arrived the next day!
I should have rationed my G6 sensors this time because I didn’t realize I needed a new prescription for them and my endocrinologist was out of town for 2 weeks. So I went without one for a little over a week.
I have to say since switching from Edgepark to ADS over a year ago, this is the first time this has happened; and it beyond any ones control, unlike what I was dealing with.
Not my pods, but I always have a finger-stick day between G7s. That way if there’s a delay, I don’t have to have as many finger-stick days in a row.
Up until two months ago, rarely. Two month ago I unexpectedly, suddenly lost primary insurance coverage. I had just received a 90 day pump supply but was low on Dex sensors and in need of an extra transmitter. I asked an online group if anyone had extras and two people had just switched to the G7 Dex. They both shipped what remained of their G6 supplies. I grateful paid their shipping costs. Hopefully, before I run out my new insurance coverage will resupply.
I have Medicare so they should be fully covered, but the process can get so complicated that
just in time” delivery is quite in time.
That’s NOT quite in time.
I haven’t had a need to ration any supplies. In worst case I should be able to get more within 24 hours.
Hoarder of diabetes supplies.
I always want to have at least 3 months of supplies extras. I use the xgm and the infusion set longer than recommended.
Rarely. I proactively reorder. Automated refills are nice, but I prefer to plan when the costs occur. The only time I would ration is if I have difficulties getting the doctor to respond to the DME supplier’s request or they are out of stock.