FW: [IP] Phone call from my supplier---problem
I sent Ron's email about the CCS rep to someone I know at CCS who's a bit
higher on the food chain so that she might find out who the rep is and
educate her. Interestingly, below is the response I received from her. I
must say I was surprised and also glad that Medicare is still my secondary.
I dread the day it becomes primary.
Sue
"One of the greatest experiences in life is making a difference in someone
else's life."
Thank you for sharing the email.
Unfortunately the Medicare laws and rules surrounding Insulin Pumpers have
changed effective April 1, 2010, and I don't think that many patients
understand that the questions we have to ask are now required by law. It
seems as though this particular patient was under the impression that the
CCS Medical representative was making her own determination what supplies he
was entitled to, which, based on the line of questioning, isn't the case at
all. To some it might sound silly that we have to verify the amount of
insulin left in a bottle or even the most recent appointment visit, but to
Medicare, it's a requirement that we provide them this information before
they will ever allow us to send in a refill for shipment.
CCS Medical is the largest supplier of Medicare insulin pump supplies in the
entire country and so the company takes great pains to follow the Medicare
guidelines so that we don't lose our serving privileges.
Based on the below patient response it doesn't seem like these guidelines
were explained very well.
I had an interesting call from my supplier, CCS, some days ago.
Them: "The Medicare Rule is now that you have to see your Endo every Three
months, or you are not covered under Medicare"
Them:"When is your next Endo appt?"
Me----"Today"
Them---"What time?"
Me---"1:30 PM"
Them: :We will call your doctor after 1:30 PM to make sure you made your
appt:
I told my Endo, and she burst out laughing.
It sounded like the same woman who had me on the phone for a very long time
until I counted exactly how mant Inserts I had left in the box, how many
Cartridges I had left, how many insulin botttles I had left, and EVEN how
full is the present insulin bottle,
Then she tried to reduce the number of supplies for my upcoming shipment! I
cannot make this stuff up.
It's a very good company, they just have some individual rep who appears to
be on a personal power trip. It would do them well to consider if she should
be retrained or retained in employment----The Company image is starting to
get tarnished due to her, which is a shame.
Best---
Ron :-)
.
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