In the next day or so my brand new pump should be arriving at my doorstep. A Minimed rep called me a few weeks ago to say my warrantee was up on my 503, making me eligible for their latest model, the top-of-the-line 522. Aside from one major component, the new pump isn’t that different from the old pump. The distinguishing feature of the 522 is it actually communicates with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), if a person were to be wearing one. A continuous glucose monitor is a pretty cool device. It monitors your blood sugar on an ongoing basis so you know where you are at all times. It’s a great way to learn about the highs and lows you might not otherwise be aware of. Overall, it’s a fantastic tool to help reduce your A1C.
Back to my story….As fantastic as the CGM is, it is also really, really expensive--apparently too expensive for my insurance company to bear. A few days after my friend at Minimed called to tell me about my new pump, she called back to tell me that my insurance company had denied my request for a CGM. Excuse me?! Yes, in a few days I will have a new pump designed to communicate with a CGM, but no CGM. Every time I reach for my 522 to bolus or make a change to a basal rate I will be reminded of what could be. If only Blue Cross valued my health as much as I do. If and when that day comes, my 522 is fully ready to communicate.
1 comment:
Did you take a look at any of the other pumps models out there? Minimed owns the market, but the Animas and Cozmo are also worth looking at.
If you want more information, you might try one of the pump-related groups at TuDiabetes.
As for CGM coverage, several of us have been working at getting insurance companies to consider this. It's worth starting an appeal process with BCBS. Many insurance companies will deny automatically. But if you can show that you're hypo unaware and you've getting lows < 50, that's a strong argument in favor of getting one.
You could also use the results of this CGM study, to prove that this technology works. Finally, there's useful CGM and insurance information at the CGM Anti-Denial Campaign website.
Good luck.
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