Supplies and World Traveling

[Adventurebetic]

Hello Diabetifamily

I'm from the US, currently planning a year long backpacking adventure around the world, but spending a few months in the EU and around the UK. I use and love the omnipod and would like to continue using it while traveling. I feel like it's the best management plan out there.

I'm reaching out to you guys, the diabetic community across the pond, asking for your help. I have three questions that I would appreciate any answers to:

1) Generally, how expensive are vials of insulin in the UK? Without medical coverage, this is most likely how I will be getting my insulin. In the US, a single vial can be upwards of $120-$200, ridiculous.

2) Is it possible to buy pods out of pocket? Does anyone know of an omnipod dealer? And how expensive they might be?

3) Is it possible to receive short term healthcare benefits with a travel visa? All the information I've researched on this has been vague and not very helpful. And if this is possible, could it be used to supply me with insulin and pods?

I'm new to this forum and, it seems like this is an amazing supportive group of people.

Thank you all so much for any and all responses.

 

[himtoo]

the vials of insulin are only available in the UK on prescription so an actual cost I am not aware of.

here is a telephone number for ypsomed ( omnipod suppliers) here in the UK. 0800 092 6787
thinking out loud you may not be able to dial an o800 from outside the UK -- i will research this and post again if i can find anything

perhaps their customer service may be able to advise on supply of the pods in the UK and europe.

good luck - wish you all the best -- sounds amazing !!

 

[CarbsRok]

Hi, Question 1 you can only get insulin on prescription in the UK,
2 Omnipod are the only suppliers in the UK and you have to have a Drs letter to buy them, perhaps email them and ask what you need to do whilst in the UK.
3 I have no idea about the answer, perhaps the embassy could help out in that dept! I'm sure others would be able to help though.
Enjoy your travels

 

[tim2000s]

Hi @Adventurebetic it's possibly a bit more complex.

1) Generally, how expensive are vials of insulin in the UK? Without medical coverage, this is most likely how I will be getting my insulin. In the US, a single vial can be upwards of $120-$200, ridiculous. If you use any NHS services you will be charged at 150% of the NHS tariff for the care you receive. As I'm not sure what the tariff is for a GP visit, but a prescription would be about £13 at those rates. That's all you would pay for insulin. You could also use a private GP which will cost you more (I think they are around £80 per appointment) and then you'd have to pay the full price of the insulin, which is typically around £50 per vial.

2) Is it possible to buy pods out of pocket? Does anyone know of an omnipod dealer? And how expensive they might be?
You may not be able to - as @himtoo has suggested, contact Ypsomed. They will supply privately but are likely to need proof of your registration on the Omnipod in the US.

3) Is it possible to receive short term healthcare benefits with a travel visa? All the information I've researched on this has been vague and not very helpful. And if this is possible, could it be used to supply me with insulin and pods? As per my answer to 1, you'll probably be able to get insulin, but you absolutely won't get pods through the NHS on that Visa - you will have to purchase those separately.

My comments all refer to the UK. My experience in Europe is that you will have to have a private GP appointment (paid for) and pay for a private prescription for medication. I can't answer about the access to pods in those countries.

 

[RuthW]

Tourists are NOT entitled to any NHS medical services, except in emergency. Even UK citizens who are not 'ordinarily resident' in the UK are not entitled to use the NHS. You can use the private healthcare system.