Continuous Glucose Monitor Users

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42 Comments

Comment by Scott on June 4, 2009 at 4:47pm

Hi folks,

I added a blog, It's been a while... talking about my first month with the Medtronic CGMS

Comment by Andrea Wilkinson on May 18, 2009 at 11:13am

Some of the people on the Minimed help line are misinformed.
The Isig number will be low if your blood sugars are close to normal (or low) and the Isig number goes higher when your blood sugars rise. I have been told to not get too wrapped up in what the Isig number is.
I share your frustrations, but still love the cgms when it is working! I am now so dependent on it--I get frustrated when my sensor stops working and I have to go back to testing my blood sugar every hour or two. It is such a beautiful thing when the sensor "works" and so frustrating when it doesn't! : )

Comment by Sheila Green on May 18, 2009 at 11:00am

I have just had a very frustrating 48 hours. Had to change my MM sensor - Sunday 8:00 am. My pump gets into the cycles of Cal Error, Meter BG, BG now, Cal Error then eventually Bad Sensor. I then switch the whole Sensor feature "off" for several hours to allow it to "re-set"....try again,.....same thing....cut a long story short, after two sensors and not getting anywhere called the 800 Minimed help line. I hate these people, they always tell you an excuse (sell the sensor is not wet enough - how wet can it possibly be after 48 hours !!!) then they try the good old one of well your BG's are changing too quickly...well I uploaded my pump info to the carelink site and you can see my BG NOT going up or down rapidly. Meanwhile the "Isig" reading will not go over 10. My pump rep says that it has to be over 10. Now the help line say it is OK at "2.3", 7.2 etc. So now we go through removing the transmitter and testing that with attaching it to the "tester" and the ISIG goes up to 23.00 WELL, duh, finally, duh,....after wasting 48 hours the help line tells me I have a "bad sensor" and will replace it.. What does one have to do to convince these people that there are such things as "faulty" "bad" sensors....no matter what you do , you cannot get it working. Needless to say, I went through two sensors and they will only replace ONE. When are they going to realize that while technology is wonderful, it can very often be faulty. I HATE having to call these people and try and "out-smart" them.....the system is great when it works, but NOT so GREAT when it fails...needless to say I have inserted the third sensor today and it is now working.....
Sheila

Comment by Karen Hudson on April 18, 2009 at 11:02pm

I am a T1 for 56 years and wear a minimed 722,I have been using a Dexcom 7 since Aug 2007 and went thru the denial process. Dexcom did assist in the process. For the second appeal my husband wrote a letter documenting, from his prospective, my struggles to manage my Diabetes as new technologies came along. On September 9, 2008 a study funded by JDRF was published which showed people who use CGM's have improved A1c's. He included excerpts from that study in his letter. Anthem BC approved use of a cgm and reimbursed some of the cost (they are now contracted with Dexcom and pay for the sensors). I'm approaching two years and would like to move up to the seven + system. Here's a link about the study
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/09/09/jdrf.funded.clinical.trial.demonstrates.continuous.glucose.monitoring.improves.blood.sugar.control

Karen

Comment by Jim Devlin on April 10, 2009 at 2:06pm

Laura, Been diabetic 57 yrs., even though I'm still extremely young. Ahem!
Been keeping detailed log books for decades, along with my meter, even what I had for dinner posted. I submitted 90 days of log book entries which clearly showed my highs and lows, ghlucagon shots, and severity of lows. I'm a detail freak when it comes to this stuff.
Letter from my doc., copies of ambulance runs to my home, and pharmacy copy of Glucacon Kit purchases, which I am injected with way to much due to my hypo. unawareness.
With all this, 57 pgs., I was routinely denied, with a lame remark, which might have been stamped on their denial sheet.
I don't get hurt, I get mad. Gathering powerful accomplices.
Jim

Comment by Jim Devlin on April 10, 2009 at 9:16am

Involved with my 2nd appeal. Have Dexcom trial CGM for one wk. Was leaning towards Navigator. Now not sure, at all. Doc likes Dexcom cause he can download results to his office. Do any other models? Sure don't like the Navigator falling off remarks. All opinions would be great.
Thanks

Comment by Laura on April 1, 2009 at 7:50am

Jim, I have Anthem BCBS they covered my CGM with no problem. Medtronic helped a ton but I am sure all the CGM manufacturers would also. What MM told me to do was to write down my BG's for the last 3 months showing the low's and the highs despite constant testing and corrections. Also I wrote a short paragraph on the health benefits and financial benefits of better control for me and them.
Did you do something like that and still denied?

David, you may want to do something like I did and have the CGM manufacture help. The strips depend on how often you test. I test alot but that is not on account of my CGM that is on account of my BG not doing well. I use about 12-15 a day

Be loved

Comment by David on April 1, 2009 at 4:22am

My doctor doesnt really know what a CGM is. I, though have gotten his ok to get one. What can I put on the statement of medical necessity to help my insurance to approve the meter. They say they will cover it, but I want to CMA. Also I have decided to get the Freestyle Navigator, How many strips will I need a month?

Comment by Jim Devlin on March 30, 2009 at 12:08pm

I have been denied on my first insurance appeal.
I have Medicare Plus Blue, which is an Avantage plan with BC/BS as my carrier- Michigan.
Hard to imagine anyone needing a CGM more than I. Very disappointed. Any advice on my next appeal would be great, especially if your familiar with my insurance.

Comment by Greg on March 10, 2009 at 7:34am

Thanks Gerhart. Before reading your link I was afraid it was going to descibe some financial calamity at Apria. So they are possibly going through some changes after a merger last fall. It might why a medical supplier is unable to supply medical items, or can't get their act together. I hope it improves.

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