I am on a insulin pump, gotten through Medicare. My endocrinologist has told me Medicare says I have to see a DR every 3 months, no longer. We are going to Alaska this summer, and that gives me the problem. I guess I need to take a bunch or records with me , and see an endocrinologist, in Alaska. If I see my DR before we leave, and after we return, I have to see one in Ak.
Has anyone had to do this, and how much of a pain is it going to be????
Any experiences will be helpful. Not just diabetes, but any Medicare dealing. Thanks, the Muffin Man.
Jack, with Linda, the wonder navigator
2001 Monaco Dynasty Regent 40 ft./2 slide with 370 Cummins
2008 Honda CRV , Blue Ox tow gear
2 mangey cats and a Sheltie ( Buddy, Sam, & Smokey )
Done fulltiming, nut still traveling
You do not need a prescription to buy insulin just walk into a drugstore and plunk down your money and buy what you want, lots of drug stores in Alaska they are all over,
Richard
1987 ford f250 6.9 diesel
1997 Innsbruck by Gulf Stream 28ft fifth wheel with slide
and the wife and co-pilot Trudy
You can order extra pump supplies without seeing your Dr. but medicare will not cover them. Call your pump supplier and ask what to do when out of town for extended periods of time.
I'll try again. Pump supplies and insulin are not the problem. What I said was Medicare requires I see an endocrinologist every 3 months. If I go on the road for 4-5 months it is hard to see my normal DR.
Oh never mind, people on this forum seem to read what they want to see, not what is there.
Why does medicare require you to see a doc every 3 months? Did he say you cannot see one more frequently that every 3 months, maybe? That sounds more like what medicare would do. What would medicare do if you went beyond 3 months? The whole thing doesn't sound right. Do you have information on how to contact your medicare carrier? Maybe they can offer some insight.
studmuffin wrote: I'll try again. Pump supplies and insulin are not the problem. What I said was Medicare requires I see an endocrinologist every 3 months. If I go on the road for 4-5 months it is hard to see my normal DR.
Oh never mind, people on this forum seem to read what they want to see, not what is there.
The Muffin Man. Good night and good luck.
Will Medicare pay for any Endocrinologist? If so then what you should do is get a copy of your medical records from the Endo you are seeing now, and explain to them what is going on. I do not think it should be too much of a pain if you have your medical records.
We have Tricare Prime and may run into a problem down the road, because I will need a referal from Tricare to see any Endo in their system, so full-timing or a lengthy vacation may become a problem for us.
Chuck & Lori wrote: Why does medicare require you to see a doc every 3 months? Did he say you cannot see one more frequently that every 3 months, maybe? That sounds more like what medicare would do. What would medicare do if you went beyond 3 months? The whole thing doesn't sound right. Do you have information on how to contact your medicare carrier? Maybe they can offer some insight.
Diabetics are required to see an Endocrinologist every 3 months for a Hemoglobin Hb A1c blood test, as well as show the Endo their blood glucose log books and to get new medications or changes in current medications if needed.
Many of the newer insulins, especially those used in the pump, require a prescription. Your insurance will only pay for the insulin if it is dispensed on a prescription. Insulin can be expensive without a prescription. You will have to plan the medication portion of you trip with you doctor, your insurance carrier, and your pharmacy.
Sister Shotgun, won't ask where that name came from, thank you for a legible asnwer.
I will be going to Alaska and I guess I'll have to see a endocrinologist in AK to get an A1C, and get him to mail the monthly result, of blood sugars, to MEDICARE.
The major pain, and how they get you stuck, is Medicare rents the pumps from vendors so you have to keeo up to date or they will stop remitting monthly rentan, and you pump will be recalled.
If you wonder why Medicare is so expensive; a $2500-3000 pump is leased for $535 per month. I am in the wrong business.
studmuffin wrote: Sister Shotgun, won't ask where that name came from, thank you for a legible asnwer.
I will be going to Alaska and I guess I'll have to see a endocrinologist in AK to get an A1C, and get him to mail the monthly result, of blood sugars, to MEDICARE.
The major pain, and how they get you stuck, is Medicare rents the pumps from vendors so you have to keeo up to date or they will stop remitting monthly rentan, and you pump will be recalled.
If you wonder why Medicare is so expensive; a $2500-3000 pump is leased for $535 per month. I am in the wrong business.
Thanks, the A1CUlater Muffin Man.
Ohhh, now I understand..So until Medicare actually finishes paying for the pump, they will require you to go in every 3 months and they want the reports sent to them.
So, once they have finished paying for the pump will they not require the reports? Also what pump are you using?
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