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Buff · 07-05-2022, 10:41 AM

This thread could be very handy.

I have type 2 diabetes and do a fairly good job of managing it but I have ups and downs and most of 2021 was a super hard year to get on track and stay there.

My A1C in November was 10.0.... yikes! My doctor prescribed me to get the FreeStyle Libre sensors. The pharmacy informs me that my plan doesn't cover them, I'll have to pay in full. Well, both my wife and I have generous health spending accounts, we can claim the sensors on those because we are both allowed to claim un-covered medicine or even the remainder of medicines that aren't fully covered. Nope. Not with the FreeStyle Libre sensors. I have to be insulin dependent to get anything back for these.

This is really terrible because the sensors have been a great tool for me to keep on track. So much easier to check my glucose levels by scanning the sensor at any point of the day no matter where I am. Way easier and better than finger pricking. I had given up on finger pricking because it takes time and effort and it just sucks. 3 months after my 10.0 A1C result my A1C was down to 5.8. But I couldn't afford to pay $100 per sensor. These sensors only work for 2 weeks. My recent A1C saw me back to 7.4, which isn't terrible but I can keep it close to 6.0 if I had the sensors.

The sensors are a great tool for diabetics to keep healthy. I really was able to learn how my glucose changes with certain foods. All these years I thought oatmeal was good for me, but it spikes my levels. Why didn't I know that before? Because I would normally check before meals and sometimes immediately after a meal. Rarely, if ever, would I check mid day or halfway between meals. Some foods don't immediately affect me glucose levels but will after an hour or two. Finger poking isn't convenient to learn this information. The FreeStyle Libre sensors give this flexibility and information.

I want to know how I can advocate for insurance companies to cover these sensors for any diabetic, not just those who depend on insulin. Or at least let me claim in on my health spending account. I can claim a bicycle but not a glucose monitor? My wife can claim a non-prescribed pedicure but not a doctor prescribed glucose monitor?

I have no clue where to start. The person in charge of benefits at my place of employment has not been able to help me.

07-05-2022, 10:41 AM	#9
Buff Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: I don't belong here Exp:	This thread could be very handy. I have type 2 diabetes and do a fairly good job of managing it but I have ups and downs and most of 2021 was a super hard year to get on track and stay there. My A1C in November was 10.0.... yikes! My doctor prescribed me to get the FreeStyle Libre sensors. The pharmacy informs me that my plan doesn't cover them, I'll have to pay in full. Well, both my wife and I have generous health spending accounts, we can claim the sensors on those because we are both allowed to claim un-covered medicine or even the remainder of medicines that aren't fully covered. Nope. Not with the FreeStyle Libre sensors. I have to be insulin dependent to get anything back for these. This is really terrible because the sensors have been a great tool for me to keep on track. So much easier to check my glucose levels by scanning the sensor at any point of the day no matter where I am. Way easier and better than finger pricking. I had given up on finger pricking because it takes time and effort and it just sucks. 3 months after my 10.0 A1C result my A1C was down to 5.8. But I couldn't afford to pay $100 per sensor. These sensors only work for 2 weeks. My recent A1C saw me back to 7.4, which isn't terrible but I can keep it close to 6.0 if I had the sensors. The sensors are a great tool for diabetics to keep healthy. I really was able to learn how my glucose changes with certain foods. All these years I thought oatmeal was good for me, but it spikes my levels. Why didn't I know that before? Because I would normally check before meals and sometimes immediately after a meal. Rarely, if ever, would I check mid day or halfway between meals. Some foods don't immediately affect me glucose levels but will after an hour or two. Finger poking isn't convenient to learn this information. The FreeStyle Libre sensors give this flexibility and information. I want to know how I can advocate for insurance companies to cover these sensors for any diabetic, not just those who depend on insulin. Or at least let me claim in on my health spending account. I can claim a bicycle but not a glucose monitor? My wife can claim a non-prescribed pedicure but not a doctor prescribed glucose monitor? I have no clue where to start. The person in charge of benefits at my place of employment has not been able to help me.