tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post116051385959583744..comments2024-01-29T13:03:32.881-05:00Comments on My son has diabetes: Insurance battlesPenny Ratzlaffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1162339101786065372006-10-31T18:58:00.000-05:002006-10-31T18:58:00.000-05:00Absolutely, Penny. Let us know when you here. I'...Absolutely, Penny. Let us know when you here. I'm interested in what they'll have to say.<BR/><BR/>HAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1162074709940739122006-10-28T18:31:00.000-04:002006-10-28T18:31:00.000-04:00Nicole, I haven't heard anything from the FDA, th...Nicole,<BR/> I haven't heard anything from the FDA, the ADA, or from the pharmacist at my insurance with which I left a message. She was who told me about where they got their limit from. <BR/><BR/> I haven't given up on it yet. I'm just trying to gather up some strength for the battle.<BR/><BR/> Thanks for asking.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161986417184882122006-10-27T18:00:00.000-04:002006-10-27T18:00:00.000-04:00Any word yet?Any word yet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161644566180679922006-10-23T19:02:00.000-04:002006-10-23T19:02:00.000-04:00Thank you Nicole. I may take you up on your offer...Thank you Nicole. I may take you up on your offer soon. I called and left a message with the pharmacist that I talked to last week and asked her to clarify what she told me and to tell me where she actually got her numbers from. I haven't heard back from her yet.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161354941687270292006-10-20T10:35:00.000-04:002006-10-20T10:35:00.000-04:00I'd help for sure. We could probably put it up on...I'd help for sure. We could probably put it up on our blogs and get other OCers to write.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161349133945587372006-10-20T08:58:00.000-04:002006-10-20T08:58:00.000-04:00Anon, I have only put my soapbox away for the ti...Anon,<BR/> I have only put my soapbox away for the time being. I will persue this matter and I may ask for all of your help.<BR/> I do know that the ADA recommends that Type 1s test 3 times a day. Perhaps a letter writing campaign is in order?<BR/> Is anyone with me? If so, I can do a post with the contact information.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161291711792461842006-10-19T17:01:00.000-04:002006-10-19T17:01:00.000-04:00Penny -DON'T put your soapbox away - EVER. You ar...Penny -<BR/><BR/>DON'T put your soapbox away - EVER. You are advocating for your child - and we all understand that. You have to keep working to make sure that the insurance company understands that too. I am interested to see what the FDA has to say. If they really recommend 3 to 5 times a day - then we should REALLY get our soapboxes out. That is just not enough testing to lead healthy life with this disease. Please let us know what they have to say.<BR/><BR/>NAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161199824534234502006-10-18T15:30:00.000-04:002006-10-18T15:30:00.000-04:00OK, pretty much every web site I've gone to encour...OK, pretty much every web site I've gone to encourages people with Type 1 to test 3-4 times a day. These must all be written by people who do not have Type 1. <BR/><BR/>We test Riley before each meal and snack. Then again at bedtime and at least once, usually twice in the middle of the night. This is bare minimum testing. That's a minimum of 8 times a day. But, there is usually always a need to check an extra time or two every day. I've looked back and he is tested an average of 11 times a day. Excessive? Nope. I never test unless I need to know what his sugar is for a specific reason. Like I told the insurance lady last week, "I'm not just checking his sugar for fun. As much as I wish I didn't have to do it, I do." <BR/><BR/>I see all in the media and other places complaints about people with diabetes draining the health care industry with their complications. But, no one seems to want to stand up and say how often people with D should test in order to acheive those normal A1C levels which have been proven to greatly decrease complications. It is certainly not 3-4 times a day. <BR/><BR/>OK, I'm putting my soap box back in the closet now.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161183554251981342006-10-18T10:59:00.000-04:002006-10-18T10:59:00.000-04:00Nicole, For time's sake, I have emailed the FDA r...Nicole,<BR/> For time's sake, I have emailed the FDA regarding their recommendations for glucose testing. If I don't get a response soon, I will call them on my day off.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161117654016448532006-10-17T16:40:00.000-04:002006-10-17T16:40:00.000-04:00Penny -Do call the FDA. I think the insurance co...Penny -<BR/><BR/>Do call the FDA. I think the insurance company is using a line on you. Especially considering that my insurance company told me their guideline was 250 - based on some regulation (they didn't site the FDA though) - but that was overridden after numerous and LONG phone calls to them.<BR/><BR/>You are right - it's about ALL of us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161112083051875852006-10-17T15:08:00.000-04:002006-10-17T15:08:00.000-04:00Laura, Here I am complaining that I don't get eno...Laura,<BR/> Here I am complaining that I don't get enough insurance coverage when you don't get any at all. I'm sorry.<BR/><BR/>Shannon,<BR/> Yes, that's my baby in the newsletter. I was wondering if anyone in the OC would notice. (Scott noticed too)<BR/><BR/>Nicole,<BR/> You've got me all fired up again. From following your link I can't seem to find where the FDA guidelines recommend that people on insulin test 5 times a day. Still, "people on insulin" and "people with Type 1 diabetes" are not the same thing. I have plenty of Type 2 patients that are on insulin. Cannot even the freaking FDA differentiate between Type 1 and Type 2?<BR/><BR/>I may be making a call to the FDA and get my story straight before I try to tackle the insurance company again. You know, this isn't just about Riley. It's about everyone that lives with T1 on a daily basis. <BR/><BR/>It just makes me sick!Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161104261393018282006-10-17T12:57:00.000-04:002006-10-17T12:57:00.000-04:00OK - so I did some research. The only "regulation...OK - so I did some research. The only "regulations" around glucose monitoring on the FDA site are here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.fda.gov/diabetes/glucose.html<BR/><BR/>Here are some quotes from this piece:<BR/><BR/>As a general rule, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that most patients with type 1 diabetes test glucose three or more times per day. Pregnant women taking insulin for gestational diabetes should test two times per day. ADA does not specify how often people with type 2 diabetes should test their glucose, but testing often helps control. <BR/><BR/>Often, self-monitoring plans direct you to test your blood sugar before meals, 2 hours after meals, at bedtime, at 3 a.m., and anytime you experience signs or symptoms. You should test more often when you change medications, when you have unusual stress or illness, or in other unusual circumstances...<BR/><BR/>Talk about being evasive... "Three or more times a day?" I'd venture a guess that the vast majority of HEALTHY diabetics fall into the "or more" category. <BR/><BR/>Also - look at that second paragraph. If I count that up - on a day when there is no abnormal occurence, that's 8 tests (before and after breakfast, lunch, dinner, at bedtime and 3am)... <BR/><BR/>What regulations is your insurance provider talking about? I know that you're probably tired of fighting, but I'd call them back and ask them to direct you to the regulations they're following. If they give you the same story - I'm willing to make a call to the FDA for you. <BR/><BR/>It's just wrong that Riley can't get what he *needs*.... What do insurance companies think we're doing - throwing testing parties with all the strips they're giving us??? <BR/><BR/>Oh, I am so fired up right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161103186544614952006-10-17T12:39:00.000-04:002006-10-17T12:39:00.000-04:00Damn. Damn. Damn. Insurance. I can't freaking be...Damn. Damn. Damn. Insurance. I can't freaking believe that.<BR/><BR/>Who runs the FDA? I think a letter writing campaign is in order. I'm pretty sure between all of us in the OC (and our familyies) - we could make some sort of point.<BR/><BR/>I could draft something up - I'm going to do some research... Would others post about it if I did?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161095792616458302006-10-17T10:36:00.000-04:002006-10-17T10:36:00.000-04:00Hey Penny, you're in the Join Lee Now newsletter!I...Hey Penny, you're in the Join Lee Now newsletter!<BR/><BR/>If you haven't received it, I've posted a link on my blog.<BR/><BR/>Congratulations!Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11082031887238694358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161032467609598382006-10-16T17:01:00.000-04:002006-10-16T17:01:00.000-04:00Scott, I cannot for the life of me understand why...Scott,<BR/><BR/> I cannot for the life of me understand why the insurance companies won't get on the prevention bandwagon. It is soooo much cheaper to try to prevent complications than it is to treat the complications be it from diabetes, heart disease or whatever. <BR/><BR/>Plus, a Type 2 would probably get along just fine with 5 strips a day. But, my son basically has an organ that no longer works. It's just very frustrating to me that insurance companies won't differentiate between Type 1 and Type 2. They are two totally different diseases and should be treated as such. <BR/><BR/>Ah, typing this has gotten me all fired up again.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161032397819850022006-10-16T16:59:00.000-04:002006-10-16T16:59:00.000-04:00grrr insurance. I dont even have it because the go...grrr insurance. I dont even have it because the government says i make to much money ( minimum wage)and I also work to many freakin hours to get medical assistance. This didnt help that I was hospitalized 2 weeks ago in ICU for 3 days because i had the flu and my sugars went to 890 and was in DKA<BR/><BR/><BR/>Other then that im fine and dandy nowLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02457460019866821785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161031845487245402006-10-16T16:50:00.000-04:002006-10-16T16:50:00.000-04:00Hey Penny!Open Season was a pretty good movie. Th...Hey Penny!<BR/><BR/>Open Season was a pretty good movie. The kids and I liked it too!<BR/><BR/>The insurance thing really sucks, and I hate having to jump through extra hoops just to get the things I need to survive. It's so very frustrating.<BR/><BR/>How can they not understand that by paying a little up front that they will save a lot down the road?! I suppose they figure you'll be on some different plan by the time you need the big buck coverage. <BR/><BR/>Bastards.Scott K. Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06601851114190791084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161030178078232342006-10-16T16:22:00.000-04:002006-10-16T16:22:00.000-04:00Vivian, My husband is a teacher at a local high s...Vivian,<BR/> My husband is a teacher at a local high school. I thought he had great insurance (and I guess he does), but that 5 strips a day thing threw me for a loop. <BR/><BR/>The walk was great. I have revival at church this week and then I'm heading up a supper at my son's school on Thursday night, so I probably won't be able to post again until Friday. I will tell you all about the walk then.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161026067557008962006-10-16T15:14:00.000-04:002006-10-16T15:14:00.000-04:00I am so sorry, we are going through new insurance ...I am so sorry, we are going through new insurance pains as well. Hang in there. I hope the walk went great. Does hubby work at NC State? My cousin works there.<BR/>VivAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161021354110479052006-10-16T13:55:00.000-04:002006-10-16T13:55:00.000-04:00Jamie, I promise a walk post will be coming short...Jamie,<BR/> I promise a walk post will be coming shortly. It took me over a week just to write the last post. It's been very busy around my house lately.Penny Ratzlaffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03368479901015692591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19128701.post-1161013028236748422006-10-16T11:37:00.000-04:002006-10-16T11:37:00.000-04:00Oh Penny - that is just CRAZY! It always boggles ...Oh Penny - that is just CRAZY! It always boggles my mind how insurance companies think ... we've had our own share of troubles with ours ...<BR/><BR/>I can't wait to hear how the walk went, though. I've been checking back religiously to read up on it!Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08174978790549584487noreply@blogger.com