Questions re: Mail order Supplies

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Questions re: Mail order Supplies
13
Tue, 03-23-2004 - 6:44pm

Do any of you get your test strips/other "supplies" (not actual meds) through delivery/mail order?  There's a possibility I can get an UltraSmart for free through my endo's office, but the deal is I get the lancets (I buy generic ones anyway) and strips through this mail order/delivery co. here in LA.  They deliver, you sign, and you get your stuff.  I don't like the whole delivery thing, I've never been real comfortable with that, but it's not through the mail or a shipping co., I guess this company's employees actually deliver. 


Thank you all for your suggestions regarding solutions to the problem regarding my insurance and the strips and everything.  I'm still apprehensive in regards to the LifeScan lancers, as I do test all over my fingers already (6x day does create calluses pretty fast), and this is the very reason why I stopped using the Ultra in 2001, and the alternate site testing never worked, I bruised myself for minimal results.  I guess I can always just keep using my Freestyle one if I really dislike it.


Sometimes I forget how diligent you have to be in all aspects of dealing with this disease, as I've battled with my insurance since I was diagnosed (probably because of where I live and the volume they deal with).  I did find a link on the Blue Cross website where you can check the formulary for what is and isn't covered.  So far, the other five meds I have are.  I'm hoping I don't have to keep going back and checking on a monthly basis.


 


 

 

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

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Avatar for 2sweet02
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Tue, 03-23-2004 - 7:06pm
I have begun to get all of my supplies and medicines from a mail order pharmacy; our insurance plan has some sort of agreement with this particular company. I thought I would not like receiving the supplies by mail, but have found that the refills are quite easy. The pharmaceuticals and testing supplies are ordered quarterly; there is a re-order slip included with every shipment, and all one has to do is mark a dark oval by the supplies that are needed, place in the envelope, and mail the order. Oh yes, another thing, they take credit cards; this helps to keep up with the medical expenditures. I have one credit card that I use only for Dr. visits and medicines; at the end of the year, everything is right there so that I can deduct it from my taxes. 2sweet02

2sweet02

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Tue, 03-23-2004 - 10:19pm
I use a mail order plan for my regular meds. I receive 3 months' supply for the price of 2 months' charge. I receive both One Touch Ultra lancets and test strips from them. The cost is $14 each for 3months' supply. Everything comes in sealed packages as if I was getting them from a pharmacy.

Never having used any other type of meter, I'm quite satisfied with my Ultra. Am surprised that you might be able to get the UltraSmart from your endo for free.

My endo suggested using the sides of my fingers because it would hurt less. I even dialed down the meter and he's correct. It doesn't hurt as much. I use both hands. Haven't used the alternate site. Am afraid to do my arms.

Sorry you're having difficulty with Blue Cross. It's a shame that they've fallen as have other insurance companies.

Kathi

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 03-24-2004 - 1:20am

Gabby,


I get all of my meds in a three month supply by mail without any difficulty. It is required as part of my husband's drug coverage. I can't get my lancets as that is one thing that isn't covered. I found that Costco sells them in the largest box for the least amount of money. I can either charge my meds or send a check with the refill notices. They even contacted my doctor to find out why I hadn't refilled my Lipitor perscription. I hadn't refilled it because he changed the doseage and gave me samples to take until I had my lab work repeated. So I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you. Of course that is, if you have a secure place for them to leave your meds and equipment.


I laughed about your alternative site comment. I tried to used the alternative site on the back of my hand as I have been testing a lot also. It took me three stabs before I had enough blood to use for my test! Remember I use a meter that requires a very small sample. I figured I would give it a try angain after that area healed up.


Hope you are feeling better,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2003
Wed, 03-24-2004 - 7:42am
Does it still (somehow) get covered by insurance if you use mail order? I guess I should contact my IC. At this point though I feel like my Doc changes my meds every 3 months and if I am going on insulin that will change things too but I guess the test strips I could have mailed. But literally I am at the pharmacy at least 2x a week anyway so not sure this would be right for me. Interesting though

Smoochdog (aka Michelle)


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 03-25-2004 - 1:38am

Michelle,


Yes , everything is covered by insurance. I guess when I have to purchase the insulin I am going to have to do that at the pharmacy though. I don't think it is wise to get insulin through the mail because it may not have been kept cook enough.


I have you heard of anyone getting their insulin through the mail?


I am glad you are feeling better.


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2003
Thu, 03-25-2004 - 8:12am
MF - Probably a good idea about getting the insuling at the pharmacy but it will be interesting to see what others have to say. How are you doing on the program? Sounds like you have been able to stay in it despite the lows you have been having. Since I am not off the charts without meds, it will be interesting to see what happens when I go on insulin this summer in prep for TTC. I am sure that I will have to struggle with lows as well.

Smoochdog (aka Michelle)


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Thu, 03-25-2004 - 9:41pm
Sorry I cant remember where, but seems like another diabetes message group i have seen has discussed mail ordering insulin, but i did not seem much discussion on the risks due to temperatures, but i think at several did say that the insulin came packed in some type of cooling container.

I am thankfull i DO have insurance, especially given the various health problems I have. Our insurance has changed drastically and we are worried there will be more slash and burn. Basically due to how spread out we are there are a number of different plans and which one you go on depends on where you live. BUT they have instituted one drug benefit provider and so we now have $5/$15 and $35. Most generics are $5 but they have stuck some of them in that second tier. they also allege that the only ones in "tier 3" ALL have other comparable and or better meds that are in the lower tiers. BUT for instance my one asthma inhaler plus the allergy med I use are both tier 3. They say we should use the inhaler I have used before but that didnt work for me. The allergy med..i finally got on allegra D...BUT they want us to use claratin. I had problems with claritin(basically wired me up so bad it was a miracle if i got 2 hours sleep in a night! I had also tried zyrtec(which is only on tier 2)BUT that sedates me so much that I swear benedryl would WAKE me up compared to that.

The worst is the games they seem to be playing on the diabetes meds. Metformin is tier one, but if you need the sustained release kind or whatever that is called...i think one is tier 2 and the brand name is all tier 3($35). But since then they have also DECREED that we MUST go on metformin first and basically all the other meds i see mentioned here other than the insulin are ALL ONLY allowed AFTER we try and fail with metformin!! Unless I am misunderstanding something everyone MUST use the metformin to start!! Since I should lose weight im sure metformin would likely be the one to try first......BUT what happens with those who cant afford to lose ANY weight. Also what if i end up with permanent major stomach problems from it. I do have IBS which flares from time to time and am concerned that if i have to go on metformin that could cause problems. It also looks like they are NOT very flexible with the kinds of insulin we are allowed to use.

ON the statins I think there is only one of the brand name ones that is NOT the tier 3 or else literally both in tier 3 and only allowed after the doctors swear absolutely nothing else will work. Also did the same thing with the arthritis meds. all those new ones that are supposed to be so fantastic are all tier 3. Mind you in the past we had 2 levels and although now they are trying to pretend this Tier 3 is somehow a generous concession because they are saying none of those meds are in the formulary. Near as I can tell they must have cut the formulary we are NOW allowed in half!!

WE are being encouraged to use mail order pharmacy...BUT i live on edge of college campus(which is also the downtown area....only have a small mail slot in wall of the house which is NOT very wide. ) do not feel its safe to have ANY meds delivered especially since they have already claimed NO ONE will have ANY type of missing med problems ....while at the same time saying they will NOT be responsible for any that go missing!

WE can check for updates on line and this change on the diabetes meds has happened within the last month(this is only the third month with this medication manager program, and there is already over a page of changes...and seems like more than 1/2 are bumping stuff up into the tier 3 group.

One thing that concerns me is it seems like since this "plan" is controlled by company OTHER than our regular HMO"S...I really question if they are ACTUALLY all that concerned about the meds actually preventing for instance diabetic complications!!! They are an offshoot of one or 2 of the HMO's BUT from the reviews in past years...those plans had a LOT more complaints and grievances than other plans(they didnt win that many grievances either!!)

The whole setup really raises my blood pressure when i start thinking about it. Thankfully although 4 of my meds were in tier 3 all except are not ones i have to take every day. I was actually forced to switch to a generic of the daily med in part because the pharmacy was having problems getting it, and since on the generic my blood pressure HAS been higher, not a lot but some(so far we are not sure if that is due to fact my weight has not continued going down, using allergy med that could raise it, and not able to exercise...but we will find out in the next couple months if its really going to the generic or not. BUT that said a number of our employes that live in the most urban areas ARE single parents(and if fact also in jobs that are fulltime only part of the year(new contracts on that will also make them pay a full 50% of the total insurance premiums) and lets face if...if there is one kid with allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc the rest of the family does too. Those families are really being staggered by the increases.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 1:34am
Even if my mail plan would send insulin in the mail (not sure about this), I sure wouldn't get it. I'm too afraid that it either would break or turn bad with our heat.

Since Goldie's & Angel's insulin isn't too expensive at Costco, I think if it ever happens that I need insulin I'll get it at Costco.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 1:43am
dum-da-dum-dum INSURANCE COMPANIES STRIKE AGAIN!!!

What a mess. Hope all of us can get our respective companies and issues straightened out.

Was surprised today by a phone (voice mail) call from my insurance company stating they'd received my new prescriptions and they'd call me when they'd been mailed! They don't charge decent prices, but have time (an employee) to call stating scrips had been received!

:'(

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 2:17pm

Thanks for the input, everyone.

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

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