21 Comments
In your experience, what are the biggest barriers to accessing diabetes-related medical care? Select all that apply.
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It’s hard sometimes to get my endocrinologist appointment scheduled tp be compliant with Medicare rules. I’m on a pump I must be seen every 3 months and there have been times that I had to beg to be fit in on any day at any time. Thankful that where I live there are plenty of endocrinologists who give excellent care to their patients.
For a majority of folks it is probably cost. But right now in January of 2021 my biggest barrier is “other,” namely technical equipment failures–CGM’s, pumps, insulin. C’mon! This is 2021. This should not be happening.
Luckily I don’t have any real issues. Even though I May plop up here or there and feel guilty about my blood sugar numbers, I keep my appointments and face the consequences. If I have to change an appointment though it ends up causing delays as I can’t get in for 3 months!
My biggest problem is getting Solara Medical Supplies to ship me CGM and pump supplies in a timely manner.
Edgepark
I have no problems being seen by my endo. He is the best. He takes time to listen to and discuss my concerns. I dread the day he retires
I do have feelings of guilt being so brittle, everything effects my sugar. I am able to control the feelings. The biggest frustration is calling on medical supplies. I will be on hold forever trying to get through to someone. This is every single time I call.
Like others have stated the biggest barrier is getting an appointment with the endocrine provider within the Medicare q 3 month time frame. To avoid hassles, I typically schedule them a 6 months to a year in advance and make sure I have no other commitments to interfere because having to reschedule with her can be next to impossible. However, the endo practice I go to has a roster of providers that can be seen in a pinch if need be.
By far it’s cost for me. I have been carefull keeping track of my health insurance costs and for 2020 I paid 10% of my income for supplies copays and
Medical equipment providers are a significant road block the need constant attention to have the supplies to manage T1D. And, the fact that the medical field is inundated with profit seekers that are killing and maiming people daily.
Overall I have had few obstacles. I dread ordering supplies by phone which dexcom requires for some reason I don’t understand. It seems like forever once you are connected with the same questions repeated. I would say the pandemic has been an obstacle for many.
I moved from a major city to a rural area some years ago and found that Endocrinologists were few and far between. I do see a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in Diabetes, who is quite good, but I am one of the few Type 1 Diabetics she sees. Additionally, my family practice doctor is very well meaning but unaware of all the differences between T1 and T2. I have had Type 1 for 49 years and am doing quite well nonetheless.
I am in the 4% of replys that say “other”. My other is I am completely satisfied with the NP Endo and her RN who travel 3 times a month to my smaller city. Now I can stay intown and they do the driving. I am so happy about this new arrangement, happy to be on Medicare with a supplement, and happy with my Medicare RX plan. So my only concern is what is going to happen with the Biden/Harris socialized medicine upheaval????? Will I be censored for saying that?
Well, if we are getting political which is not a good idea, I would say my biggest worry used to be losing my job and not being able to get health care because of a pre-existing condition. My answer is time but also how often I have to go. I’ve talked my Endo into 3 times insyea
I really don’t care for this new format – no editing at least via phone. Anyway to continue, I’m in control of my disease and would like to cut visits to twice per year. I go 3 times now.
@Ernie, I order Dexcom online, you should ask again. Regarding the question, my doctor always says come back in 3 months, then the scheduler says the next open appointment is closer to 4 months. So I said lack of appointment times.
Insurance coverage and cost are constant barriers. I waited 60 years before getting an insulin pump because of the cost. Even with supplies ‘covered’ by insurance there are still co-pays and now co-insurance that require payment.
I’m on Medicare with a supplement. I hate it when they decide they are not going to cover something- like now they aren’t going to cover Dexcom-then you have to call you care giver to see if they will talk to the insurance company. Luckily my care givers are great at least everyone but the endo. That was my 2nd check. Not enough endos in the area and I live in a good size city. The 3rd check was feeling ashamed- when I go high I figure it’s my fault I’m with you Connie. I’m worried about the next 4 years Does everyone else get all the comments cause I only get 5
I’ve complained about the number of comments I see as well. Goes nowhere.
I’m on Medicare and dislike that they are so far behind in allowing us to treat our disease with the most up to date medicines and technology. One size does not fit all and sometimes you need more then one size. I dislike that insurance plans can dictate what you can and cannot use or charge exorbitant amounts is you have to use non-formulary meds (I’m allergic to Humalog!). I should be able to use everything I want to manage the Diabetes. We are all different and do is how we can best deal with this disease.
Pharmacy issues with pre-authorization, 90-day reorder time limits and lack of pharmacy coverage for items listed on their formulary are my biggest issues. The inability to reorder outside of the 90-day date causes issues when there have been infusion site / sensor failures. CVS Caremark’s inventory system does not differentiate between various insulin pump supplies (sets vs reservoirs), so in the past on Medtronic pumps, I would reorder sets and the system marked sets and reservoirs as being reordered. I’ve lost days of my time over the past 5-7 years with pharmacy and insurance coverage of all diabetic-related supplies. They lump ALL diabetics into one category (Type 2).