Saturday, February 4, 2017

They want diabetics to do what?!?

If you have any close friends who are type 1, you must know that diabetics are hoarders of medical supplies. They may not be hoarders in any other aspect of their lives, but, to a type 1 diabetic, a stocked cabinet full of sensors, pump supplies, test strips, lancets, batteries, etc... is a source of comfort. We aren't (all) trying to screw over the insurance companies, we just want to have enough supplies on-hand to feel like we're not going to die.

Let me be clear: these supplies are necessary to live. I would have to check into a hospital if I didn't have access to an insulin pod for even one day.

Apparently, insurance companies (mine, at least) have implemented a rule that the patient has to be down to less than 10 days' worth of supplies before reordering. WHAT DIABETIC IS COMFORTABLE WITH THAT FEW SUPPLIES?

While I understand the rule--they are trying to cut down on waste and hoarding--I'll give you a few reasons why the rule is stupid.

1. It often takes a few days to get new supplies for unforeseen circumstances, such as needing a new form filled out by your doctor (pre-authorization, medical necessity, etc), a prescription renewal, or some other bureaucratic snafu. To give you an idea, a medical necessity form is something my doctor has to fill out to verify that yes, indeed, Laura is still diabetic.

2. People travel. If you are going somewhere for 3 weeks, you need to bring plenty of supplies with you and not be out of them when you return!

3. It would give me heart palpitations to have to wait until there is ONE sensor left in my closet before I can order more (one sensor = 7 days). Besides, I'M THE ONE USING MY SENSORS FOR TWO WEEKS AT A TIME SO I NEVER RUN OUT. And that's my right. Insurance still has to cover me for one every week.

4. I can never feel secure that I know where my next bottle of insulin is coming from. Especially with an Obamacare repeal on the horizon, I don't feel confident that my supplies will be available and covered because of all of the paperwork and logistical hassle involved in getting supplies when something goes wrong. I don't trust insurance companies I have enough experience with insurance companies to know that they are capable of some really unsavory practices, like recategorizing pump supplies to fall under "prescriptions" so they can put an absurd annual cap on them, leaving the patient high and dry.


Dear insurance companies,
It is bad policy to put patients in situations that they are deeply uncomfortable with, and in which they are most likely to lie for survival.
Sincerely, 
Diabetics


Lastly, I'd like to share this second-hand story I heard at the medical supply store.

A nice diabetic lady, 77, type 1 for 50+ years, is sitting at home when she hears a knock at her door. Being the nice lady she is, she opens it.

A sharply dressed woman stands at her doorstep. "I'm from the insurance company," she explains. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," says the nice old diabetic lady. They sit down on the couch in the living room. The insurance woman asks a few questions about the lady and her diabetes. Then, she asks if she can look in her fridge to see how much insulin she has in stock. SHE STRAIGHT UP ASKS TO CHECK HOW MUCH INSULIN THE NICE OLD LADY HAD IN HER FRIDGE. 

"I think it's time for you to leave," says the lady, in her most polite voice.

Moral: Never let the insurance company into your house.