Re: [IP] Phone call from my supplier---problem
Hi Sue
Thanks very much for sending an e-mail to CCS.
I have been going to my endo every 3 months for some years, so that was no
problem really. Just something I need to be very aware of now.
I was just so taken back by the CCS rep wanting me to open my Insert box
to count out the number left, for her, then the cartridge container to
count, then wanting me to open the refrigerator to count insulin bottles,
then telling me that the next shipment would be 2 bottles of insulin (less)
because I had enough to last the number of days until the shipment would
arrive.
I don't mean it disparagingly, really, I just get down sometimes when
new surprises happen. I hold CCS in good esteem for their good overall
service.
Before CCS, I was in a situation where I had Two suppliers, one would
ship Novalog, but explained they would not ship inserts or cartridges
because they could not receive enough from Medicare/BCBS Illinois to handle
those items. I am glad they explained it, so I could "get a handle" on what
was happening.
The other supplier would send inserts and cartridges, but not Novalog.
After some considerable struggles, I got aligned with CCS, and they do all
the items. I do think they are an excellent supplier.
Surprises are especially hard for me to take.
I am 72 in about 2 weeks, multiple medical problems, taking full total
care of my wonderful wife of 50 years, she being in stage 3 of the 4 stages
of Alzheimers. She wants to stay in our home since 1965, but I don't know
what is going to come next, and basically, I am beyond any meaning of
exhaustion.
So, surprises are kinda like saying "now, in a few weeks you (I) can
deal with problem number 10, 375. If I can".
I hope no one takes offense at my posting personal stuff, but life is
very real.
I keep learning here at IP, and it is an invaluable help.
But hey, tomorrow the sun will come up, and all of us will deal with our
own situations that day.
I keep slugging away, just as all of us do :-)
The very Best to all--
Ron :-)
Belated Happy 4th, I was Navy 4 years, and lived on a warship for over a
year at one point. It's hard for some to understand the feeling of coming
over a hill, looking down at my ship, and feeling "Ahhhh, home" :-)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sue Leferson" <email @ redacted>
To: <email @ redacted>
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2010 5:02 PM
Subject: 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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