Good news for Libre users, I think

[Stephen Lewis]

My insurance company would not cover the Libre and I assumed this was because my provinces medical plan had not approved this equipment. Health benefits are provided through a pension plan and require provincial approval. I have been been corresponding with the province to get approval but finally just ignored. At the suggestion of my pharmacist I obtained approval from my MD to use the Libre and when submitted to the insurance company they accepted the product and have now paid out all my claims. I understand other insurance companies in Canada will pay claims so if you live here without coverage keep pushing everyone you can. Not sure if Diabetes Canada will be any help.

 

[Copernicus]

Self-funded for 3 years and now have prescription on NHS BUT only allowed one Sensor each script. GP said they were too expensive to write up more! Gobsmacked.

Gemma, might I ask which of the criteria you met in order to get yours on prescription

 

[AndyGW]

I can’t answer for Gemma but a friend of mine has just had letter to say he can get his on prescription (26 per year) and criteria was the >8 tests per day. Given that he pretty much only now uses the libre sensor that he, like me, has been self funding for 3 years it must have been those tests/readings that were taken into account.
Great news for him and I have my ‘assessment’ this coming Monday so hoping I’ll get same response.
My fingers are crossed!

 

[Peter03]

Good news for those of you in the UK or is it just England, type 1diabetics in france have been able to get libre on the French health system for the last two years,only problem was abbott could not keep up with the demand, although I always managed to get enough to keep me going, I find them not great but much better than 8+ finger prick tests a day, but new systems are coming (I hope)

 

[Deleted Account]

I have just been approved fir the Libre under the justified and proven more than 8 tests per day criteria.
The approval was from a diabetes consultant who has written to my gp. I am waiting for my go to respond so I don’t know how many I will get per prescription. I expect some negotiation with the surgery pharmacist as, in my experience, she knows nothing about any diabetes medication.

 

[AndyGW]

England coming into line more with what is already happening in Scotland and Wales. Scotland having almost 5,000 on prescription in April 2018 (across 10 of 14 territories) while Wales look to have been prescribing for longer.
I hear you on the demand issue. Abbott cut down numbers able to buy direct from them in the UK some time ago (when NHS demand started) so would expect there to be even further delays in getting orders filled as the new guidance result in more and more new users starting to get on prescription.
Would assume though that there will be some strict SLA in place to ensure Abbott can meet demand... or maybe given this is the NHS one shouldn’t assume anything of the sort.

 

[AndyGW]

Congrats Helen.
Hoping to end up with similar letter after my appointment on Monday.

 

[Rokaab]

I also just found out a couple of days ago that I've also been approved (the hospital phoned me), I have to go along to the hospital clinic on Monday to collect a letter for my doctor which says to prescribe them - I do have to sign a 'contract' though to get them - which it why I have to go collect the letter - I did ask about what I'd have to sign and they said I had to agree to scan at least 8 times a day and continue to regularly attend my diabetes appointments - I think I qualified on the 8 readings a day criteria - they didn't tell me that but that's the only one I could've qualified on.
Not sure what it'll say about the number I get but I know I've got a call with my DN at the docs on Tuesday and she normally sorts out any new diabetes type prescriptions for me - she is very good, so she will prescribe enough for one every two weeks if she has any say in the matter.

 

[AndyGW]

Considering my friend’s letter specifically stated 26 per year I’d like to think this would be standard I guess each CCG may decide themselves on how many.
Bought 2 more myself last weekend so hoping they’ll be my last (touch wood) after my assessment on Monday.

 

[Peter03]

Considering my friend’s letter specifically stated 26 per year I’d like to think this would be standard I guess each CCG may decide themselves on how many.
Bought 2 more myself last weekend so hoping they’ll be my last (touch wood) after my assessment on Monday.

I think that is about right in France we are entitled to 26, that's 2 every 28 days plus abbott can supply 4 for bad or not working sensers

 

[EllieM]

they said I had to agree to scan at least 8 times a day

Failing to understand who would have a libre and not scan at least 8 times a day. When I self funded (before my body decided that it didn't like the sensors and the sensors retaliated by giving me nonsense readings) I probably scanned at least 20 times... Feeling bored? ... do a scan. Want to know what time it is? ...do a scan. Wake up in the middle of the night? ... do a scan.

 

[Rokaab]

Failing to understand who would have a libre and not scan at least 8 times a day. When I self funded (before my body decided that it didn't like the sensors and the sensors retaliated by giving me nonsense readings) I probably scanned at least 20 times... Feeling bored? ... do a scan. Want to know what time it is? ...do a scan. Wake up in the middle of the night? ... do a scan.

Hehe yes, also I find if I scan it, then forget what it was after a few mins it's quicker just to scan it again rather than having to find the previous scan result
But yeah over the last 30 days my average has been 27 a day, so I think I'm covered for the scanning 8 times a day
I presume its just 8 because that's how many blood tests you had to be doing per day if you were using that criteria to get one.

 

[Copernicus]

I've been self funding for over three years now and my average scans per day are about 16. My consultant says that does not count as the 8 + tests a day have to be finger pricks and not Libre scans. It seems that there is still a difference of opinion across the country as to what constitutes a blood test for the purposes of getting Libre on the NHS Perhaps I need to see a different consultant. Northumberland CCG are being very tight over who they will approve the Libre for. Good luck to those of you who have managed to get it prescribed.

 

[AndyGW]

Yes. Still differences.
I went into local Diabetes Centre today, showed been scanning 16 times/day over 90 days on phone app and, hey presto, given new meter and first sensor there and then and told letter with GP now to add to my repeats.
It seems to very much to be happening quickly here locally as I’m now aware of 3 friends that now also have on prescription in the last week alone.
Try a different consultant or kick up an enormous fuss maybe?
Good luck

 

[AndyGW]

Oh - this is in Ipswich, Suffolk

 

[Mad76]

Does it have to be via a consultant as opppsed to a gp ???

 

[Mad76]

Also, any experiences of Hillingdon ??? I will definatly ne pushing for this once im.back home !!

 

[Rokaab]

Does it have to be via a consultant as opppsed to a gp ???

I know my DN at the doctors had to write to a consultant at my local hospital and the hospital are approving it for me (I'm in the Berkshire West CCG area) - so I have to wait for the letter from the hospital before the doctors will prescribe it.

 

[Deleted Account]

Does it have to be via a consultant as opppsed to a gp ???

I believe the process varies by CCG.
However, as all my GP knows about my diabetes is what is in the letter my consultant writes, I have absolutely no confidence my GP would understand the value a Libre would provide.

As with everything diabetes related, if you have type 1, I would encourage you to get to know your diabetes consultant or DSN. Given, as people with type 1 diabetes, we are less than 10% of the people with diabetes that are seen by GP surgeries, it make sense that type 1 is considered a specialism rather than something for a General Practitioner.

And, to my knowledge (but I am happy to be proven wrong), Libre are only avaialble on the NHS for people with type 1 diabetes.
I recommend being prepared with justification and evidence why you would benefit from a Libre as the estimate is only about 20% of people with diabetes will qualify.

 

[becca59]

Last Gp I saw had never heard of one. I had to show him how it worked. Consultant/DSN all the way if you want to go for it.