Monday, December 18, 2006

True Story Conversation with my Insurance Company

*ring* *ring* *ring*

*Automated Voice*

*Crappy Elevator Hold Music*

Insurance Company: "Hello my name is So and So. You're being recorded for quality assurance purposes. May I have your ID number, name, address, and phone number?"

Me: *gives her the info*

IC: "And how may I help you today?"

Me: "I would like to know what my coverage for insulin pump supplies is."

IC: "Insulin is covered under your prescription plan, please contact Medco."

Me: "Not the insulin, the supplies for the pump that delivers the insulin."

IC: "Is that for diabetes?"

Me: "Yes."

IC: "I see. For diabetes supplies, OneTouch and Accu-chek are our preferred brands."

Me: "That's for strips. I want to know what my copay is for pump supplies."

IC: "I see that your copay for test strips is $15."

Me: "NOT test strips. PUMP supplies...cartridges, infusion sets, stuff like that."

Her: "I'll have to call you back on that."

*click*

___________________________________

And that was over a week ago. Still no call back. And now I need to call again. Wish me luck. I can't be their only pumper, can I?

9 comments:

Scott K. Johnson said...

Man, how frustrating.

Sometimes the insurance companies refer to the pump supplies as "DME" or Durable Medical Equipment.

Maybe if you toss in that term when you speak to them next it might get you a little farther?

Best of luck!

Christine said...

Yeah, I've been tossing around that term. They're telling me cartridges are DME and infusion sets are test strips, unless of course they are Comforts, instead of Cleos, in which case, those are DME also. Oh. My. Gosh.

kath said...

Who IS your insurance company? And yeah, Medco does carry infusion sets, not that I've ever ordered them from Medco. Nor has anyone made me.

Lyrehca said...

Oy, I've spent a lot of time on the phone with insurance companies. Maybe call back and ask to speak to a supervisor? One who knows what DME is?

Sarah said...

My test strips are prescriptions, while my pump supplies are DME. But, if I get the BD test strips, they can be billed as DME rather than regular RX, although I spend more money that way. PHEW! I know what you mean, believe me, I do.

Christine said...

It's a division of BCBS that is located in a hick town in Upstate NY that I don't even live in. I always get my strips and insulin from medco, but I can get my strips for insurance also I guess. I've never tried infusion sets from Medco. I've called twice now, and was told they would "research" it for me. I have a feeling I am not gonna like the way this turns out.

BetterCell said...

It sounds like you are dealing w/a bunch of Idiots. The longer you deal w/them, the longer it is going to take for you to get your supplies. The best thing for you to do, is to get away from them ASAP and start dealing w/a more intelligent company who knows what they are doing as well as being able to keep their word(calling you back).

Christine said...

Unfortunately, I have no choice in the insurance company matter. This is the insurance company that works with my parents' employer.

Penny Ratzlaff said...

Riley has BCBS too. We just switched to one of their PPO plans. Insulin is provided by Medco. 150 strips per month are covered by Medco and anything I want above that is billed as DME and is covered at 90% (after the deductible is met). Riley's pump supplies are also covered at 90% (He uses Insets). I'm not sure if this helps or not.