Baited&Switched - Medtronic Paradigm Insulin Pump

by Dennis
(Cincinnati, OH, USA)

I have been living with diabetes for 33 years and have recently made the switch from injection therapy to pump therapy. I have the Revel 723 as of March this year.

I researched for weeks before making the switch, as cost of the therapy was a concern. Prior to the pump my only cost was two co-payments for Humulog and Lantus each month totaling about $70 per month.

I was assured by Medtronics and by my insurance, Anthem Blue Cross, that if I purchase the device for $1,000 then I will have met my out of pocket maximum for the year. This meant that my supplies would cost $0 for the remainder of the year. In disbelief I checked and rechecked and was again assured by Medtronics and by Anthem that this was correct. So I made the purchase ($50 per month for 20 months).

Here we are in July and it was time to order my first batch of canulas and reservoirs for my pump. Online ordering said that my cost was going to be $350+ for a couple of months worth. I called to place the order by phone instead and explained that my insurance should be covering this. I was told to contact them.

When I called Anthem, I was shocked to find out that my benefits changed as of July 1 and that I would have to come up with an out of pocket max of $1500 and pay an additional 20% of the supply costs up to $500. So in effect, my contribution for the cost of my therapy went through the roof before I could even place my first reorder!

While I expected to pay $50 per month for the pump and $35 for Humalog, I now will have to pay $50 + $35 + about $125 for pump supplies. So I went from a barely manageable $85 per month to a whopping $210 per month! I simply can not afford this and may have to go back to injection therapy and endure a much less effective therapy.

When I contacted Medtronics to find a resolution, I was told that it was too late to return the device and that I was still obligated to pay for it. I was also told that I could just order the supplies and "try" to pay it off before I needed to order again!!

Although I appreciate the interest free offer, it is still out of my budget and this would only compound my problem buy purchasing something I know I can not afford. Unacceptable and Deplorable business practice.

I have supplies left through July then will have to go back to syringes, so if anyone out there has a solution for me, please contact me at dennis.cropp@gmail.com with help.

Thanks for listening!