Diabetes Type 2 Support Group
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, in their infinite wisdom and limitless compassion for patients, decided that my diabetes doc (a board certified endocrinologist with decades of experience and numerous publications in highly reputable medical journals) was just being stupid when he prescribed Byetta.
What would he now?
He has looked at my test results and examined me and obviously a pencil pusher at Empire who is making sure the company's stock value is healthy . .. er .. I mean patients are healthy thought "Let's just deny it ... er .. call it a double-corporatespeak-mumbojumbo-proactive-patient-care-adjustment-request .. or something that does not use the word "deny".
So I am on metformin. Not a bad drug, from what I understand, but it was not the endocrinologist's first choice. Why am I getting something that was not this good doctor's first choice? Why are we even having this discussion? How is it that insurance companies get away with this crap again and again and again and we don't all take to the streets and throw rocks at CEO's heads?
Because they have the $'s and own politicians.
Personally --i hope the stock price of Empire plummets and they are forced to file for bankruptcy ... which is kinder than my first thought of pain and suffering visited upon every pencil pushing corporate weenie who has ever worked to deny anyone anything.
What would he now?
He has looked at my test results and examined me and obviously a pencil pusher at Empire who is making sure the company's stock value is healthy . .. er .. I mean patients are healthy thought "Let's just deny it ... er .. call it a double-corporatespeak-mumbojumbo-proactive-patient-care-adjustment-request .. or something that does not use the word "deny".
So I am on metformin. Not a bad drug, from what I understand, but it was not the endocrinologist's first choice. Why am I getting something that was not this good doctor's first choice? Why are we even having this discussion? How is it that insurance companies get away with this crap again and again and again and we don't all take to the streets and throw rocks at CEO's heads?
Because they have the $'s and own politicians.
Personally --i hope the stock price of Empire plummets and they are forced to file for bankruptcy ... which is kinder than my first thought of pain and suffering visited upon every pencil pushing corporate weenie who has ever worked to deny anyone anything.
I think that there has been a lot of controversy over Byetta and problems it caused.
But I agree, Money talks and I see more and more meds being taken off the list, some with no alternative offered.
But I agree with your thinking.
Corier was right about Walmart and also, K-Mart has the low prices.
Byetta should be used ONLY when other medications together with diet and exercise do not help you to keep on track your blod sugar.
Metformin is cheap, helps you to loose some pound, and it has been prooved to be effective with very limited side effects.
Byetta has been approved by the FDA but still there are areas of concern.
So, choosing the least damaging and the least expensive medication it is a good medical practice.
By the way, I have been on Byetta untill last week and I do not work for any insurance company. I have been fighting until last year with Blue Cross for having prescribed Byetta. I wrote to them a business case, showing them how much money they were loosing not putting me on Byetta. At that time I was taking Lantus twice a day, Lispro 3 times a day, metformin 1000mg 3 times a day and exercising 3 times a week and still my blood sugar was not perfect.
So, I was spending for them every month:
- $ 200 for Lantus
- $ 300 for Lispro
- $ 31 for needles
- $10 for Metformin
VS.
- $200 for Byetta
- $ 20 for needles
They refused to pay for Byetta.
I am now on a different insurance.
My new drug which is my doctors first choice is the highest copayment - $60 a month, and I don't even want to know the retail.. So my total drug cost per month with being overinsured (I have medicare and private insurance too) is $200+ a month :-/
They do not want to pay for the good "newer" drugs..
I have heard that Byetta. has had some side effect issues so maybe this is not such a bad choice.
Let me say I am not a fan of Health Insurance Companies but I know that Dr. are in bed with various Drug companies and get financial rewards for Rx their medicine. Ask your Dr. has he ever RX metformin?
I do not think your health and management of your diabetes will be affected by taking metformin vs Byetta.
paul