Pump supply costs
I have a Minimed 507C pump and really love it. I called the Minimed Pharmacy for
a renewal set of supplies (3 months worth). We talked about the retail price and
the cost to me after my insurance payments. These figures were VERY surprising
to me. The cost of QR sets, IV3000s, batteries, etc. for 3 months is about $
700. After insurance payments, I will owe just under $ 150. So, although the
amount covered is fairly good, still the costs for everyone seem extremely high.
When the pump costs about $ 5K, it seems a lot to spend about $ 3K/year for
supplies.
Does anyone have these same thoughts or any alternatives? Do other companies
sell QR type supplies? Are they just as reliable as Minimed’s? Thanks for the
collective wisdom of everyone!
July 17th, 2003 at 6:18 pm
hi Jim & Carol:
yes, I’ve had a major hiccup when seeeing the bill….thank the lord for good
insurance. Remember the costs for out of pocket are tax deductible so save
all receipts. and include every receipt no matter how small. When you
consider what the cost of one hospitalization is for complications related to
diabetes, then you realize that the cost of pump and supplies is worth it in
the long run…Joan:)
July 21st, 2003 at 8:29 am
Hi Jim (or Carol?)
Yes - what you have observed is true: the main expense in insulin pump
therapy is for the infusion sets, and other disposable stuff. Although the
pump is a one-off major expense, averaged out over its life, it is
relatively little per year.
You are not obliged to buy your infusion sets from Minimed (but you must
buy the insulin cartridge from them). If you are worried about the expense,
try out all the different infusion sets, and see what is the cheapest that
does the job satisfactorily. Some people like the plain bent needles. Some
move it each day without changing the needle, making one needle last a
week. (This isn’t text book recommendation, but if it works for you,
fine… You can substatially reduce your costs) Others like the Silhouettes
or Tenders - Tenders are the same thing but sold by Disetronic. Check out
the price difference. I personally prefer Rapids, which has a very thin 8mm
needle that goes straight into the skin. There is the new Rapid D which has
a disconnection coupling, like the SofSet QR, but less "nobbly".
Hope that gives you some food for thought…
John
507 user
–
July 21st, 2003 at 4:37 pm
>I did not know that any rapids had a disconnect? Since when John?
Frank, I live in Germany and they’ve been available here since July of this
year. I assumed they would be availble in the US. Is this not so?
I’ve also started using this new Novo Nordisk lispro insulin - NovoRapid.
It’s much like Humalog. I’ve changed to see if I get more stability at the
infusion site.
John
–
July 22nd, 2003 at 6:16 am
Hi Frank & John:
Heard about a new QR coming at my pump training in September. Will check
with IIS to see if they are available yet. They should be cheaper than the
Soft-set QRs but I’ll find out. also the Rapids come in 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm
lengths so that alternate sites can be explored..Joan:)
July 22nd, 2003 at 3:25 pm
The new QR. is available from Minimed it is called the Micron but it is not
the same as the rapid. IN the US they do not have disconnects available yet.
Thanks Joan
July 23rd, 2003 at 2:57 am
What were you using before, John, Humalog??
fp
July 23rd, 2003 at 7:12 pm
Keep us posted on that Joan, I’d like to take advantage of that…
fp
July 26th, 2003 at 2:16 am
>What were you using before, John, Humalog??
fp - hi.
Yes - I was using Humalog for 2 years previously. Generally, I have been
very happy with it. Fast but not too fast. But it is in my nature to try
out new things. You never know whether something might bring some
improvement unless you try it. That’s always been my philosophy.
My main pump problem is that I get such short life out of an infusion set.
Originally I got 3 days. Then it was 2. Now I’m happier changing every day.
I don’t have to, but I feel I get much better absorbtion stability that
way. Luckily I don’t have to pay for my sets, since I have a generous
health insurance. I’ve tried mixing a little Velosulin with the Humalog,
which some people find helps, but it didn’t help with me.
Here’s a little tip I’ve just learnt: I don’t use 10ml bottles of insulin
any more. I use the 3ml pen cartridges instead. One cartridge fills one
syringe. And no problem with dissolved air coming out of solution and
causing pesky bubbles. To draw the insulin out, you stick a second needle
through the rubber plunger at one end, while sticking your syringe needle
through the thin rubber seal at the other end.
Take care
John
–
July 27th, 2003 at 12:37 pm
John,
How come you change sets so frequently? MY last set stayed in 8 days
probably could have gone longer but I was experimenting.
say, your in Germany, right?
fp
July 28th, 2003 at 4:52 am
Ya I kno what they advise they’re trying to sell more product. Seriously ya
really have to keep a eye on ‘em to make sure it’s not getting red etc.
fp
You in Germany?
July 29th, 2003 at 5:05 pm
Hi gang:
I know we all want to stretch those infusion sets and prolong use of the
sites but remember, for all of us there is still the risk of infection, no
matter how aseptic we keep our technique. If you want to reuse an infusion
set, and all nurses, and other health professionals will cringe, but we do do
it, good handwashing is a must, do not I repeat, not wipe off the needle.
You are essentially immune to your own organisms, but not forever. You
remove the coating on the needle, the polish if you will, that lets it slide
into your skin. Ever get one of those syringe needles that were real
ouchers? That’s what I’m talking about. Not only that, you end up
stimulating hypertrophy of the tissue (thickens) and then you’ve shot that
site for use again possibly indefinitely. So much for preaching…..:) Joan
July 30th, 2003 at 3:49 am
Hi fp…
If 8 days works for you, great. You must certainly have very tough skin
But consider what has happened during those 8 days… the healing process
has started, under the skin and on the skin surface. So when you remove the
infusion set, you may already have scar tissue forming under the skin, even
if you can’t see it. This means that the next time you get close to that
area, the aborbtion will be more erratic. Now, I live in hope of a cure,
but in the meatime I’m planning for a long-haul with my pump. In 20 years
time - no, in 50 years time - I want my infusion sites to be as healthy as
they are today. I know people who have been on a pump for 15 years already,
and some of them complain of major problems. Whole areas they used to use
that are now unusable.
So I change every day or two to keep my abdomen and round the sides of my
waist in really good shape.
John
PS Yes - I live in Germany, but I’m British
–
July 30th, 2003 at 1:46 pm
Hmmmm. Thanks for that info John. I’ll definatly take that into
consideration. I’ve only been pumpin 7+ months and 20-25 yrs from now I’ll
be pushin up daisies. LOL
Do you know where Lynge, Denmark is located? Is it far from your location?
fp
August 1st, 2003 at 10:39 pm
What I think we need is a more economical infusion set!!. At $10.00 per
change is too much. I plan on petitioning Maersk to accomplish this anyone
else like to join in?
fp
August 2nd, 2003 at 6:47 am
Frank, is this the name of the company??
The fist new Pump company should be <" animous"> corp. I
understand that
>they are designing new sets but who knows when they will be available.
August 6th, 2003 at 12:02 pm
Yes Frank, I totally agree. Considering I’m the "baby" of this group and
only been pumping 6 months (happy anniversary!). Skin and site care is the
most important issue regardless of using the pump or still doing the shots.
I think one of the things we all must stress to other pumpers is the
importance of educating ourselves…we really have to be as knowledgeable as
our doctors, nurse practitioners (gotta plug myself), nurses, CDEs,
nutritionists….One of the reasons why I decided to become a pump trainer
was to augment what I’ve been learning over the last 18 years teaching
patients about diabetes and how to take care of themselves. The other reason
why I decided to set a goal of becoming a CDE as well was because the need
is there for knowledgeable health care providers. We always think that our
health professionals KNOW ALL…funny how we find out they don’t…
SSSSSOOOOOo, even though we want to save money, saving our sites for future
use is paramount to maintaining our health…think about it…common sense
should prevail….Joan
August 6th, 2003 at 8:09 pm
the new company is Animas and I haven’t found a web site yet, but heard at
pump training that they are presenting their pump for FDA approval. there’s
also a Korean company getting into the development phase but haven’t heard a
company name yet…If we all start a letter writing campaign and get your
insurance companies into the deal (mark-up on medical supplies is in the area
of 200% (believe it, it’s true)…we may be able to make an impact on
marketing…Joan: )