On 6/11/18 Medicare announced a change in policy to allow Medicare beneficiaries to use smartphones in conjunction with continuous glucose monitors. “After a thorough review of the law and our regulations, CMS is announcing that Medicare’s published coverage policy for … Continue reading
On April 1 I celebrated Easter, traded April Fools’ Day jokes with the grandkids, and acknowledged the festival of Passover. Although I didn’t think of it that day, it was also my one-year anniversary of going onto Medicare. Is that … Continue reading
Yesterday a couple of diabetes friends on Medicare got in touch with me to see how things were going with the reorder of my pump and CGM supplies. One friend emailed: “Just checking in to see how your Dexcom reorder … Continue reading
Background: In January 2017 it was announced that Medicare would begin covering the Dexcom G5 as a “therapeutic CGM” for patients with diabetes who met certain conditions. After months of delays where CMS, Dexcom, and Liberty Medical struggled to establish … Continue reading
Negotiations between Dexcom and CMS addressing the requirement that Medicare beneficiaries use only the Dexcom receiver have reportedly not been going well. Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) has organized a campaign to lobby our congressional representatives to have this policy … Continue reading
Although those of us on Medicare are thankful that CMS now covers the Dexcom G5, many online discussions are angry and focused on the frustrating regulation that we are not allowed to use our smartphones, smart watches, and pumps as … Continue reading
If you’ve been following the saga of Medicare coverage for the Dexcom G5 CGM, you know that Medicare beneficiaries will be forced to use the Dexcom receiver while being absolutely forbidden from using smartphones and the G5 and Follow apps. … Continue reading
History On January 12, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a ruling indicating that the Dexcom G5 CGM was a therapeutic medical device and eligible for reimbursement as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). I published a blogpost … Continue reading
I thought it was going well. Some of it is great. I’m learning that maybe not everything is going so great. I haven’t screamed at a phone menu yet. I officially started Medicare on April 1. I seem to have … Continue reading
I don’t have much to write about this month when it comes to Medicare. I am signed up for Medicare Part A and Part B. I have enrolled in a Supplemental Plan offered by BCBS of MN. I have selected … Continue reading
