Writing about healthcare stresses me out nearly as much as obtaining it...which would explain why I’ve stopped and started writing this section countless times over the past 10 weeks...BUT, this past week Tandem Diabetes announced the upcoming release of the t:slimX2 with basal IQ technology and Dexcom G6 integrated and I feel super hopeful. While health insurance and healthcare is really frustrating, there are some great companies out there working hard to make everyday diabetes management easier.
So, let’s dive into this mess!
In the past 6 months I’ve held 4 different health insurance policies yet the question still remains...am I even covered? And, if I am “covered” what’s covered and where. Here are the things I’ve learned about obtaining and using health insurance as a Type 1 Diabetic for extended travel.
- Always get travel insurance before booking your travel.
I did not do this. I booked my flight to the UK (stop number 1) far in advance of even getting my NZ visa. What I didn’t know at the time is that having a flight already booked as well as having a pre existing medical condition (i.e. diabetes) is an exception for most travel insurance companies (I called about 8). When I did find a travel insurance company willing to take me on it required that I also have “American Based Healthcare”. Essentially this meant I had to go onto marketplace and get a basic health insurance plan in order to even qualify for travel insurance. For all those following the mental math YES, paying for 2 insurance plans at once.
2. You may (or may not) want to tell insurance your life story.
A small preface of location that is relevant: before traveling to New Zealand I moved from my apartment in Maine, where I had been living and working for the past 4 years, back into my moms house in New Hampshire.
I called the marketplace hotline for help. When going onto marketplace you can go all online or, call for help. I was really confused by this point so, I called. I explained to the really kind lady on the other end of the line that I am Type 1 Diabetic and would be traveling New Zealand for a year and needed “American Based Healthcare”. She then politely told me that all plans offered through marketplace do not cover you when overseas, that I needed travel insurance.
-You see the circle forming here-
After re-explaining what the travel insurance had told me about the need for “American Based Healthcare” she seemed nearly as confused as I was. In short, she told me that “...by being out of the country for a year I did not qualify for a plan through marketplace and good luck”. I sat on this for a day wondering what to do then, called back and told the new customer service member that I moved from Maine to New Hampshire and needed a basic plan. Using my new permanent address (mom's house) I picked the cheapest plan, paid the monthly premium, gave no other details, and got travel insurance.
3. Plans change, optimism and international calling credits are key.
My double insurance worry free days lasted about 8 days. Eight days after picking my plan I received an email from marketplace that the plan I was on would not be offered after December 31, 2017. *eyeroll* The process began again.
4. There is always a catch.
Let’s get back to the travel insurance plan. Again because I have a pre-existing condition and did not get the travel insurance before booking flights, I only qualified for 1 of the companies many plans. This plan was for a maximum coverage of 180 days. After that 180 days (6 months of travel) I had the option to do a 1 time 180 day extension. If, a call for extension was not place within 3 days of the 180 day mark, the insurance would be terminated with no option to continue (ask me how I learned that lesson…)
5. Have someone(s) at home in your corner.
Thanks to the Havard Pilgrim “American Based Healthcare” plan I am now on through that second marketplace endeavor, my Tandem and Dexcom supplies are covered. However, Harvard Pilgrim does not work directly with Tandem. This means I needed to go through a medical supplier to get more pump supplies. Step 1: I called Harvard Pilgrim and got a list of medical suppliers they work with.
Step 2: I called each supplier to find out if they worked with Tandem Diabetes. When I found Bedard Medical supplies they informed me I needed an updated prescription in order to get my pump supplies.
Step 3: I emailed my previous Endocrinologist in Maine and asked if he could send an updated prescription to Bedard Medical so I could continue to receive pump supplies. - Technically this doctor is now considered out of network for me (because I had to switch my insurance and permanent residence from Maine to New Hampshire) however, because the prescription was only being sent to the third party supplier, and I was not actually going in for a visit or check up I did not have to pay at all never mind “Out of Network” costs.
Step 4: Connect with your pump representative. Luckily for me, my Endocrinologist, RD, and tandem pump representative work really closely together. We all ended up on a group email and my Tandem pump representative was able to speak with Bedard on my behalf ensuring my prescription was updated, filled, and sent to the permanent address on file.
6. MOMS are the real MVPs!
While I love Tandem and my t:slim pump, they cannot ship my supplies overseas. My mom has been receiving all my medical packages and shipping me the parts and pieces I need. *Important to note here that if her address was not listed as my permanent residence with my healthcare company she would not be able to receive the packages*.
Health insurance is messy but, having strong relationships with your Endocrinologist and a pump supplier makes a world of difference. As far as the initial question “Am I covered and for what?”- I have only gone after pump supplies and it worked. The question still remains if I ever need to seek medical attention or access care in New Zealand…
I have been on a t:slim pump with integrated Dexcom G5 technology since 2016 and I love it. I am SO excited for the continued advances in technology like the X2 and G6. It’s thanks to my pump and Dexcom that I have never had to find the answers to those big healthcare coverage questions. See you soon X2.
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