I saw this video from the BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-16355299) where "Diabetes patients have joined a trial to assess the effectiveness of pumps which deliver insulin directly into the body. Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge has recruited 1,000 diabetics to assess whether the pumps are more effective than daily multiple injections." I have been on insulin pump therapy for around 8 years and have found it to be extremely convenient. I was so disgusted with excusing myself from the restaurant dinner table to go into the men's room to give myself an insulin injection. The men's room is THE WORST place to go when you need to inject yourself. With the pump, I just pull it out of my pocket and dial in the dose, then put it back in my pocket - DONE. Post some comments on your pump experience.
On the lighter side, came this article where the parents of a 5 year old who uses an insulin pump got insulin pump tattoos so that their child would not feel "alone" being the only kid with a pump (http://medgadget.com/2011/12/insulin-pump-tattoos-make-a-perfect-christmas-gift-for-diabetic-kid.html). I am not personally into tattoos, but this is a creative idea. Maybe my mom and dad could have gotten syringe tattoos when I was diagnosed with diabetes ~30 years ago...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Health Insurance
I had company sponsored medical, dental and vision insurance up until 2008. The company I worked for laid me off (along with 40% of the company) and since then I have had to go through the maize to find adequate insurance for me and my family.
Right after the lay off, I went onto COBRA so I kept my policy as was, but it cost ~$2,500 a month for a family of 4. We found private insurance (HealthNet) for my family, but not for me. Health Net would not insure me due to my pre-existing condition. I called up my COBRA insurance company (Aetna) and asked if they would offer me an insurance policy, being a type one diabetic. They said that there was NO policy they would offer due to my pre-existing condition. So I stayed on COBRA with Aetna for ~$800 a month. After 36 months, Aetna told me that my COBRA insurance would end.
I am looking into my options right now and am looking for advice. Send me your comments.
Right after the lay off, I went onto COBRA so I kept my policy as was, but it cost ~$2,500 a month for a family of 4. We found private insurance (HealthNet) for my family, but not for me. Health Net would not insure me due to my pre-existing condition. I called up my COBRA insurance company (Aetna) and asked if they would offer me an insurance policy, being a type one diabetic. They said that there was NO policy they would offer due to my pre-existing condition. So I stayed on COBRA with Aetna for ~$800 a month. After 36 months, Aetna told me that my COBRA insurance would end.
I am looking into my options right now and am looking for advice. Send me your comments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)