A Little Peace of Mind

During an evening chat session on Twitter earlier this month, I mentioned the issues that I’ve begun to have with my insurance company not wanting to pay for more that 2 blood glucose test strips a day. Several of my friends in the diabetes online community (D-OC) weighed in with similar frustrations. And before long, quite the rant session was underway. It’s just disgusting that insurance companies are leaving us all high and dry when it comes to the supplies that we need to survive. I’m not going to climb up on my soap box right now, though, because that’s not what this post is about.

This post is about being thankful for being blessed with amazing friends; and one in particular who helped bring my mind a little peace.

While that rant session was going on publicly, I received a private message from a friend telling me that she had a surplus of the Contour Blood Glucose Test Strips that I use, and that she’d gladly send some my way. If I hadn’t been at work at the time, I probably would have cried. I was just stunned by the generous offer. I provided my mailing address and thanked her immensely, then we both went about our own business.

About a week later, as I was leaving for work, I found a little package from California sitting on my doorstep. It was from my friend. And as she promised, the package contained 100 test strips. Admittedly, there were tears involved this time. Tears of joy. And a big sigh of relief.

I can’t find the words to express how fortunate I feel to have so many friends in the diabetes online community who are willing to do such generous things without a second thought. To do such things for people whom you have never met in person says an a great deal about the people you all are.

So, to you, Jenny, I say thank you. Lots of Love, my friend.

5 Comments

tmana

02/16/2011 at 2:32 am

FWIW, unless my insurance is paying 100% of the freight on my strips (any quantity), I find it cheaper to purchase them through mail-order and be done with. Less aggravation, and I can get as many as I need. The side effect is that I can’t pay for them with an HSA or FSA, and that I can’t use the manufacturers’ assistance programs — but since I’m paying the same amount that I’d be paying with a traditional copay, it’s not worth the effort to complain.

Mike

02/16/2011 at 2:43 am

Brenda, the thing is the insurance company has paid for my diabetes medications and testing supplies in full for the last year and a half because I’m in a program they offer. It’s only been in the last couple of months that the problems have started. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for every little bit they do pay for because with taking 10 different meds, etc… I can’t afford it all on my own. However, two strips a day isn’t enough, and the damn insurance companies could do a whole lot more to help us all.

Katie

02/16/2011 at 6:50 pm

Great post, Mike. Thank goodness for the amazing people in the DOC! I hate how awful insurance companies can be. I’ve had to fight for test strips too. Ugh.

Lorraine

02/17/2011 at 2:44 pm

Aw – so nice. Jenny is “good people”. 🙂

Karen

02/20/2011 at 3:54 pm

I love how the D-OC has each others backs . . . and fingertips. 🙂 Yay!! Here’s hoping the insurance companies see the light soon and realize that limiting test strips is so harmful and – in the long run – probably more expensive to their bottom lline!!

tmana

02/16/2011 at 2:32 am

FWIW, unless my insurance is paying 100% of the freight on my strips (any quantity), I find it cheaper to purchase them through mail-order and be done with. Less aggravation, and I can get as many as I need. The side effect is that I can’t pay for them with an HSA or FSA, and that I can’t use the manufacturers’ assistance programs — but since I’m paying the same amount that I’d be paying with a traditional copay, it’s not worth the effort to complain.
- Mike
  
  02/16/2011 at 2:43 am
  
  Brenda, the thing is the insurance company has paid for my diabetes medications and testing supplies in full for the last year and a half because I’m in a program they offer. It’s only been in the last couple of months that the problems have started. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for every little bit they do pay for because with taking 10 different meds, etc… I can’t afford it all on my own. However, two strips a day isn’t enough, and the damn insurance companies could do a whole lot more to help us all.
Katie

02/16/2011 at 6:50 pm

Great post, Mike. Thank goodness for the amazing people in the DOC! I hate how awful insurance companies can be. I’ve had to fight for test strips too. Ugh.
Lorraine

02/17/2011 at 2:44 pm

Aw – so nice. Jenny is “good people”. 🙂
Karen

02/20/2011 at 3:54 pm

I love how the D-OC has each others backs . . . and fingertips. 🙂 Yay!! Here’s hoping the insurance companies see the light soon and realize that limiting test strips is so harmful and – in the long run – probably more expensive to their bottom lline!!