Aetna and Pump coverage

[CatiesDad]

Just got word that my company is switching from CIGNA to Aetna coverage in 2008. After going through about a 7 month battle to get CIGNA to approve the Omnipod I'm concerned another battle is looming with Aetna.

Is there is anyone out there with experience dealing with Aetna and getting Omnipod coverage? Any feedback on Aetna and diabetes coverage in general?

Thanks

[zimbie45]

we have aetna.. THEY are wonderful.. 100% coverage.. We have durable medical at 90/10.. but diabetes care is 100% covered. So when we got our pump. animas .. animas varfied our durable medical.. so we paid the 10% cost.. when i noticed that aetna paid 100%, i called aetna and they called animas and got my $488.00 back...

[Adinsmom]

We have Aetna and have just turned in our paperwork for the Omnipod. When our rep asked what insurance we had, and I responded Aetna, he said "oh good". I assumed he meant good since there is an agreement between Insulet and Aetna. I saw that info on Omnipod's website.

I should be able to give you a concrete answer in the next couple days once they get back to me.

[momofsingingdiabetic]

Just got word that my company is switching from CIGNA to Aetna coverage in 2008.

Maybe that will open up additional opportunities for you to find an Endo that is closer too. I know that drive gets to be hard sometimes...especially in Charlotte traffic!!:eek:

[rmccully2000]

Press Release

Insulet Corporation Announces Agreement With Aetna Health Management LLC
OmniPod® Insulin Management System Now a Covered Diabetes Management Option for Aetna Members

BEDFORD, Mass., August 10, 2006 – Insulet Corporation, developer and manufacturer of an innovative system for managing diabetes called the OmniPod® Insulin Management System, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Aetna Health Management LLC, a subsidiary of one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies. The agreement adds the OmniPod System to Aetna's network of covered products for diabetes management, and is effective now.

"This agreement with Aetna is a major milestone in Insulet's ongoing mission to improve the lives of people with diabetes,” said Duane DeSisto, Insulet President and CEO. “It makes the OmniPod System - and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy, which is considered one of the best therapies for insulin-dependent diabetes – more accessible to Aetna members living with diabetes in the United States.

The OmniPod Insulin Management System brings together safe, reliable, continuous subcutaneous insulin delivery and blood glucose monitoring in an easy-to-use system with no tubing. The System consists of two parts: the handheld, wireless Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM), which programs the OmniPod with insulin delivery instructions and monitors its operation, and the compact, lightweight OmniPod, which is worn discreetly beneath clothing and delivers insulin through a small tube (called a cannula) that the device inserts automatically under the skin. The PDM contains a fully integrated FreeStyle® blood glucose meter and is very similar in materials, construction and appearance to a personal digital assistant.

Insulet received FDA clearance for the OmniPod System in January 2005 and manufactures the System from its Bedford, Massachusetts plant.


Sounds like a good thing your company switched :)

Becky,
Mom to Mason, 7 Dexcom, Omnipod

[linda]

we have had aetna for 2of the past 3 years em dxd. never had any probs, but do u have a broker u can ask?...there are many pluses to aetna, you have to know the tier though, there are different levels, ppo, hmo, etc.....they do have dme(durable medical equipment)....covers pumps etc, and they do not put a"cap"....this is good, and they have a good mail order rx, probably requires referrals(can be done via internet)
Good luck...call the insurance co and ask away, and call all companies you currently deal with, to ask about

[bonhamx4]

We have Aetna and for the most part have had great experiences with them. One thing I can point out is whenever you call them research what you are going to discuss. For about 2 years we were paying out of pocket for ALL of our son's supplies, and after reading their bulletons (aviable on their website) all of his supplies except Insulin are Durable Medical Equip. which now we do not pay for. Some of the reps will gladly point out things like that, however getting information from some of them is like pulling teeth. So far they have paid 100% for Steven's pump and supplies. Which is listed as Durable Medical Supplies on their bulletons.

Rich