Laws for Diabetic Supplies

"drstitch34" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Would anyone in these groups have information on the law (not certain if it is only California or
federal) concerning providing of diabetic supplies, drugs,insulin etc. It was passed five or so
years ago and stated that those with diagnosed diabetes could receive all needed equipment, drugs
etc at no cost. Would anyone have any information?

It's certainly not a federal law and it's not that way in CA. I was diagnosed when I lived in CA and
my supplies were covered by my insurance.

--
Type 2 users.bestweb.net~jboveOpen ↗

not at no cost!

california requires all insurance co's in california to cover the cost of supplies including pumps
if a board cert endo says it's needed. at your co-pay or deductable.

Ohio just pasted the same law, not sure if it covers pumps though.

RK ex-36yr socal native

"drstitch34" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Would anyone in these groups have information on the law (not certain if it is only California or
federal) concerning providing of diabetic supplies, drugs,insulin etc. It was passed five or so
years ago and stated that those with diagnosed diabetes could receive all needed equipment, drugs
etc at no cost. Would anyone have any information? Thanks

DR,

These laws are typically to mandate coverage for supplies by insurance companies, not free supplies.

Generally these laws apply to insurance products. Under federal ERISA laws, most "self funded" plans
are exempt, and amount to almost half of employer sponsored health plans.

So if you work for a huge employer, they typically have a "self funded plan" where they hire Aetna
or Cigna or the like to pay all the health claims as a "third party administrator". But the money
comes out of your employer's checking account rather than the insurance company. By doing it this
way they are exempt from all the mandates.

It has been my experience however, that *most* company plans will follow mandate guidelines on
diabetes coverage, even if they aren't legally required to do so.

WCB

"drstitch34" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Would anyone in these groups have information on the law (not certain if it is only California or
federal) concerning providing of diabetic supplies, drugs,insulin etc. It was passed five or so
years ago and stated that those with diagnosed diabetes could receive all needed equipment, drugs
etc at no cost. Would anyone have any information? Thanks

If you are in need of free supplies or medications speak with your Doctor, they know of plans
through the pharmacuticle companies and supply manufacturers in which you can get free meds and
supplies.... Good luck

E. Woodruff, Ph. D.

"drstitch34" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Would anyone in these groups have information on the law (not certain if it is only California or
federal) concerning providing of diabetic supplies, drugs,insulin etc. It was passed five or so
years ago and stated that those with diagnosed diabetes could receive all needed equipment, drugs
etc at no cost. Would anyone have any information? Thanks

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. No bugs, worm or kooties in my mail. Checked by AVG
anti-virus system (grisoft.comgrisoft.comOpen ↗). Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release
Date: 11/1/2003

It has been my experience that in the state of Kansas that diabetic supplies
are covered under durable medical coverage, and insulin under prescription
drug coverage. This was mandated by the Kansas Legislature.
"William C Biggs, MD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:s4xkb.1082$d87.665@okepread05...

Quoted message said:

DR,

These laws are typically to mandate coverage for supplies by insurance companies, not free
supplies.

Generally these laws apply to insurance products. Under federal ERISA

laws,

Quoted message said:

most "self funded" plans are exempt, and amount to almost half of employer sponsored health plans.

So if you work for a huge employer, they typically have a "self funded

plan"

Quoted message said:

where they hire Aetna or Cigna or the like to pay all the health claims as

a

Quoted message said:

"third party administrator". But the money comes out of your employer's checking account rather
than the insurance company. By doing it this way they are exempt from all the mandates.

It has been my experience however, that *most* company plans will follow mandate guidelines on
diabetes coverage, even if they aren't legally required to do so.

WCB

"drstitch34" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Would anyone in these groups have information on the law (not certain if it is only California
or federal) concerning providing of diabetic supplies, drugs,insulin etc. It was passed five or
so years ago and stated that those with diagnosed diabetes could receive all needed equipment,
drugs etc at no cost. Would anyone have any information? Thanks

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Looking at the Accu-Chek offerings I saw their Active machine. It claims to measure in 5 to 10
seconds and use only 1 microliter blood. However, they say that they use "chromo" technique, which
is different from the OneTouch Ultra.

Is anyone here either using now or have used in the past the Active Accu-Chek strips? Are (were) you
happy with it? Was it reliable? Any other gotcha's I should know?

Meir "When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic" John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-)

The Accucheck Comfort Curve strips for the Advantage meter are, in my opinion, the best ones of the
Accucheck series (except possibly the one with the drum which I haven't tried), but the drop
required is bigger than the one needed for the One Touch Ultra.

The reason your insurance company is switching is that Roche (the maker of Accucheck) is giving
them a better deal than Lifescan. The One Touch Ultra is in my opinion the best currently
available meter.

M. Pann said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Looking at the Accu-Chek offerings I saw their Active machine. It claims to measure in 5 to 10
seconds and use only 1 microliter blood. However, they say that they use "chromo" technique, which
is different from the OneTouch Ultra.

Is anyone here either using now or have used in the past the Active Accu-Chek strips? Are (were)
you happy with it? Was it reliable? Any other gotcha's I should know?

Meir "When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic" John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-)

On Sat, 22 Nov 2003 13:00:36 -0500, "M. Pann" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Looking at the Accu-Chek offerings I saw their Active machine. It claims to measure in 5 to 10
seconds and use only 1 microliter blood. However, they say that they use "chromo" technique, which
is different from the OneTouch Ultra.

Is anyone here either using now or have used in the past the Active Accu-Chek strips? Are (were)
you happy with it? Was it reliable? Any other gotcha's I should know?

I think the Active is an older model than the current Advantage. Call Roche at 1-800-858-8072 and
request a Active, Advantage, or Compact meter at no cost to you. They hand the meters out. I got the
Advantage and Compact that way. The Advantage readings are slightly higher than the Compact. So far
I've compared them 5 times. If you feel gutsy, request a Complete meter. It is the twin of the
Lifescan Ultrasmart. I'm beginning to prefer the Compact over the Advantage since I don't have to
mess with those darn strips. Getting strips out of those very small vials is difficult.

_____________________________________________
tcainternet.comindex.htmlOpen ↗

M. Pann said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Looking at the Accu-Chek offerings I saw their Active machine. It claims to measure in 5 to 10
seconds and use only 1 microliter blood. However, they say that they use "chromo" technique, which
is different from the OneTouch Ultra.

Is anyone here either using now or have used in the past the Active Accu-Chek strips? Are (were)
you happy with it? Was it reliable? Any other gotcha's I should know?

Meir "When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic" John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-)

I have used Accu-chek Active since diagnosis. Appears to be simple and reliable to me. Quick, small
drop of blood, can be used in the machine or taking the strip to the finger and replacing, and good
memory with long battery life. In Australia, Roche mail you free batteries on request. I had to
replace the original meter under warranty for mechanical reasons after eight months, with no
hassles, but apart from that it has been good.

Cheers Alan, T2, Oz dx May 2002 , no meds, diet and not enough exercise. A1c was 8.2, now 5.8 Wt was
117 kg (257 lbs) now 91 (200).
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.

M,

The Active is their low cost meter. It isn't advertised much, and the strips are usually less
expensive than Compact, Advantage or Ultra strips.

It requires an infrared dongle to download results, so you would have to buy one to download.
Supposedly it can beam to a PDA, but I haven't seen the program yet.

It has been out for about 18 - 24 months. Contrary to other postings, it is a newer meter, and
doesn't use Comfort Curve strips.

You can load the blood onto the strip and then put the strip in the meter, which can be handy for
alternate site testing.

If a person doesn't have insurance coverage for strips, this one has the best combination of value,
speed, low blood value, and accuracy.

You can buy the Active meter for less than $19 most places. I've seen it on the web for less.

Good luck,

WCB

"M. Pann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Looking at the Accu-Chek offerings I saw their Active machine. It claims to measure in 5 to 10
seconds and use only 1 microliter blood. However, they say that they use "chromo" technique, which
is different from the OneTouch Ultra.

Is anyone here either using now or have used in the past the Active Accu-Chek strips? Are (were)
you happy with it? Was it reliable? Any other gotcha's I should know?

Meir "When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic" John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-)

I used it.. still have it, it's my car's backup :-)

I like it.. just "longer" in size then the ultra. but not much.. works well.. didn't have troubles
with it...

--
RK - t1 In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength
in a world filled with strife and terrorism.

"M. Pann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Looking at the Accu-Chek offerings I saw their Active machine. It claims to measure in 5 to 10
seconds and use only 1 microliter blood. However, they say that they use "chromo" technique, which
is different from the OneTouch Ultra.

Is anyone here either using now or have used in the past the Active Accu-Chek strips? Are (were)
you happy with it? Was it reliable? Any other gotcha's I should know?

Meir "When people are least sure, they are often most dogmatic" John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-)

"M. Pann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I retired a year ago in September and I faced the same dilemma. The new insurance company only dealt
with accu-chek products. I used the active for almost a year and was not happy with it at all. To
insert the strip you almost had to jam it in and then you wondered if your result would be affected
by the pressure you applied to insert it.

I now have the Accu-Chek Compact. It is ok and you don't have to handle the strips to insert them,
but you do to take them out of the machine. It grinds and moans something fierce (actually I have
had 2 of both meters....one for my wife and one for me) before it ejects the strip and it doesn't
seem like the most advanced process to deliver the strips, but so far no problems.......just the
noise. It reminds me of an old turntable or jukebox changing records.

I really felt more comfortable with the One Touch Ultra and that is the meter my endo prefers also
and that is what she uses in her office.

If I can choose another one I will try to get one that uses the comfort strips.

Anyways that is my .02.

Don

"M. Pann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

My insurance company, under the belief that they know best, have informed me that they will no
longer pay for One Touch Ultra strips but will pay for any of the Accu-Chek strips.

I must convert.

Go with the Accu-Chek Advantage. Some people have different opinions, but I find it to be more
accurate than the One Touch Basic, One Touch Profile, or One Touch Ultra, all of which I got for
free, and have tried with results that did not measure up to the Accu-Chek Advantage, in terms
of accuracy.

Your insurance company may be doing you a favor by switching you to the Accu-Chek strips. There is
no cost savings over the One Touch strips when you need to pay for them, but if the insurance
coverage picks up the tab, go with the Comfort Curve test strips and the Accu-Chek Advantage.

If they don't pay for all the strips you need, there are other low-cost test strips available to use
as extras or for a backup.

I don't find any really big difference between 5-10 second results vs 30-45 seconds. They are all
fast enough, and the accuracy is of greater concern to me.

The Comfort Curve test strips can allow you to leave your finger facing upward, so that there is no
chance of dripping any blood. Just take your finger to the side of the test strip, and it will soak
up the correct amount of blood. Pretty much foolproof ! I am a little leery about these one's that
only use a pinhead size drop of blood. The first part of the blood out of your finger may not be as
good for testing when it is such a small amount. (They do claim it is, however.) The Comfort Curve
test strips do not use a very large amount at all, although slightly larger than these newer ones.

If you want more info on the meter, test strips, and an interactive online display, visit the
website at: accu-chek.commain.cfmOpen ↗

(Don) said:

I used the active for almost a year and was not happy with it at all. To insert the strip you
almost had to jam it in and then you wondered if your result would be affected by the pressure you
applied to insert it.

That was the problem I had it replaced for under warranty. No problems with two since.

Cheers Alan, T2, Oz dx May 2002 , no meds, diet and not enough exercise.
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.