Order FreeStyle Libre through insurance & increased price

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi all,

After finally my insurance accepted to cover the cost of a CGM sensor, I sent to the Abbott an email ([email protected]) with:

- insurance acceptance letter

- patient formula for the libre 3 sensor

- doctor's letter

in order for them to send me a code to use in their website for the option "order through insurance".

I sent this email first time on 8th Nov 2022. I never got an answer and after 3 weeks I called the support line.

Unfortunately my German are not good, so I understood that I need to order myself and then claim back from the insurance.

I did that, and it worked, but.. they announced an increased price for individuals that order the sensor outside the insurance.

So, I got an Italian friend to call again the Italian help line, and the employee said that they haven't received anything from my side and to send the documents again in the same email. I resent everything on 17th Dec 2022, and of course I got no reply yet from the company.

Has anyone experience with that? Should I call them again and try to understand?

Thanks for your replies and wish you a low A1c

2
Try calling them directly again - my son had quite a long delay just before Christmas - Abbott couldn't really work out what the problem was (before that, his orders using the website)... were being handled and he was getting the sensors within 7-10 days maximum.... he ended up calling the customer phone number after sending a couple of emails without a solution...

3
Thanks swisspea, I will try to call them again then and see what happens. My other thought was to send the application via traditional post.

4
I've always paid myself (with credit card so I get the miles) and claimed back from insurance.

Submitted bill to insurance early January and they approved it. Not sure why but not going to ask.

5
If insurance approves, it's wise not to question it

I just wanted to avoid the increase of the price (65chf vs 72chf) and the admin when comes to do the claiming from the insurance.

6
No admin, I download the invoice from the abbott app and submit it to the insurance company. 5 minutes at worse.

7

Got this letter from Abbott this week (translated from the French using DeepL)

Price reduction for FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 in the online store

Dear Sir/Madam

We recently informed you that we would be migrating our www.FreeStyleLibre.ch online store to a new platform in the coming months. Prescription orders and direct billing to the health insurer (tiers payants) will no longer be possible.
Orders against prepayment (tiers garants) by self-payers (invoice, credit card, immediate transfer) will continue to be possible.

We are therefore lowering the prices of FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 products so that self-payers in our online store will not have to pay a third-party guarantor surcharge to health insurers.

When will prices fall?
From June 1, 2023, the prices of FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors will be lowered for self-payers to the maximum reimbursement amount (MMR) set by the Swiss Medical Device List (LIMA). After calculation, our new price for FreeStyle Libre sensors is CHF 67.60 (incl. VAT) . The price of a FreeStyle Libre 2 reader will also drop to the MMR of CHF 65.30 (VAT comp.).

Where can I get FreeStyle Libre products?
Self-benefiting customers can continue to order FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 products from our online store at www.FreeStyleLibre.ch or by calling our customer service department.

FreeStyle Libre products are also available from many endocrinologists/diabetologists, hospitals, diabetes associations and pharmacies. Please note: depending on the point of supply, prices may vary and a surcharge may apply.

What dates should I note?
●On June 1*‘2023, we will lower the prices of our FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 products to MMR levels.
●By June 30, 2023, we will continue to accept FreeStyle Libre prescriptions for direct billing to health insurance companies.
●From August 1*’ 2023, no more prescription orders can be placed in our online store at www.FreeStyleLibre.ch . Your customer account will remain open after this date. Orders against prepayment in our online store by people bearing the costs themselves will continue to be possible.

Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department on
0800 804 404*. Contact us Monday to Friday from 08:00 to18:00, and Saturday from 09:00 to17:00.
Best regards.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

While I am glad to see a price reduction (to 1758f a year!) it’s a pity they won’t bill the insurance companies directly.

8
I haven't been able to have Abbott bill my insurance directly since I migrated to FS 3, so I've had to pay direct to Abbott and claim from my insurance. On top of that they increased their prices at the beginning of the year and I have to pay about 5.50 CHF per sensor myself (on top of whatever franchise I still pay).

9

Thanks bowlie. Hubby got that the other day and I was going to do the translation to make sure I understood the nuances of it.

Honestly not sure if this is a good move by them or not. Considering husband clears his franchise and then the extra on his Swiss health insurance pretty easily anything that he orders from around May/June is “free” anyway" so he’d have to buy it and then claim it back which is a bit of a nuisance over them direct billing the insurer.

10
I also got this letter and will just add the cost to my yearly franchise deductible. A bit of a pain, but OH is the one who pays the bills, so no difference to me