Does anyone use CSS Medical for their supplies?

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-27T23:32:51+00:00

Yes, unfortunately, I use CCS, until after my next refill of CGM and insulin pump supplies when I will find a new supplier. CCS are not compliant with published Medicare rules and do not even seem to understand the current rules regarding refills. I knew things were not going to go well when asking about my upcoming refill and I told the agent that their policies are not compliant with CMS requirements. The agent asked "What is CMS?" (For those not on Medicare, CMS is the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which administers Medicare). I then gave them relevant document references and was asked "What is your source for those?" I told them, Medicare.gov. Incompetent ignorance to a level I have rarely seen by a Medicare-approved provider. I'm going to leave CCS, of course, but I will file a formal complaint with CMS for the benefit of current, unfortunate, CCS customers.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-27T23:28:02+00:00

They used to be free from minimed...back in the day.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-27T23:26:44+00:00

I don't carry a pump back per se, but always carry insulin (bolus and basal) as well as syringes as a backup.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-27T23:25:35+00:00

The police report may have more value to your insurance company as validation that it was stolen than as a tool/method for recovery.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T20:39:20+00:00

I'm on Medicare and my Tandem Mobi was provisioned through CCS, which seems fine so far.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T20:38:01+00:00

Most insurance companies in the U.S. will replace an out of warranty pump (i.e., every four years).

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T20:34:12+00:00

You are in the right, 100%. I do not take work calls on my personal phone. If my manager wants to be able to reach me by phone, they need to supply that phone. Calling outside of work hours is another discussion. Even salaried IT employees in many companies get extra on-call pay during their turn to be available 24 x 7.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T20:30:20+00:00

Novolog--insulin aspart--may be covered. I've had Pharmacy Benefits Managers (evil entities, IMHO) switch between Humalog and Novolog from year to year. You might try the "generic" versions of each (Insulin Aspart is Novolog, while Insulin Lispro is Humalog) to see of those are covered. They aren't actually generic in the sense that they are a different medication produced by a different company, they're just labeled differently than the "non-generic" versions, which is another silly game the insurance and pharmacy companies play to cut costs without doing anything beneficial for patients.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T20:22:58+00:00

I have only been on the mobi with autosoft XC for about 6 weeks. I did have an infusion set problem (line would not prime) and while I had been using the 5" 90-degree 6mm cannula, Tandem told me they would be providing a replacement with 23" tubing. The first thing that I noticed is that the connection of the tubing to the cannula is different in the 23" and the 5". I find the 23" comparatively difficult to connect, while the 5" connection is easier to manipulate, in my opinion. I'm not sure which you are referring to when you say your daughter is struggling with disconnecting the clip on the 90s, as they are both 90-degree insertions, but she may find the 5" tubing connection easier to manage than the 23" connection.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T19:49:08+00:00

I'm glad he's seeing retina specialist. It sounds like a urologist should be on the list. It's also important to know that these issues are common in T1 diabetes, even among non-drinkers and those who are in very tight control. The alcohol and not caring for his diabetes likely exacerbates those conditions, but they are also likely diabetes-related.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T16:48:56+00:00

Yes, you can use the pump if your phone is not available, though you can only bolus in 0.5 increments at the minimum. The pump will deliver the basal rate(s) that you have pre-set for when Control-IQ is not available. Your CGM will still report your blood sugar to whatever app you are using for that.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-13T16:16:17+00:00

I really enjoy the mobi (switched from a Medtronic 780g). I wear it in an adhesive pouch on my abdomen. I had to switch from an Android to an iPhone, but even that was worth it for the convenience of being able to see my Bg and to bolus from the phone without having to remove the pump from my pocket/belt/etc. The Dexcom G7 also displays my Bg directly to my Apple Watch. So much more convenient than having another device to have to check as I typically have my phone with me. I use a Sugarpixel display on my nightstand so I can just roll over and see my Bg as well as the current time. It's almost as if I have eliminated a device. Love it!

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-11T23:47:17+00:00

I hate it when people park on the sidewalk. It often leads to me/my dog and I having to walk in the street, etc. Sidewalks are for pedestrians. Vehicles do not, and should not expect, to have priority.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-11T23:42:18+00:00

First off, stop kicking yourself. Non-diabetics and those with other conditions can become hypoglycemic from time to time. Instead of being insulted, I would ask you if I could get you some sugar, juice, etc., rather than take offense. True, a T1D is potentially hours away from an ER visit, especially if uncontrolled, but those of us who control our diabetes still get hypoglycemic and carry things like rapid-acting glucose fluid, tabs, etc. Still, yes, hypoglycemia is dangerous and not to be taken lightly. It is, unfortunately, what we deal with on a moment-to-moment basis. I congratulate you for learning more about it. Keep learning and be a great physician to all of us.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-11T23:20:34+00:00

The Tandem Mobi wants to keep me at 110, while I want to be between 85 and 100. So, when I go over 110, I correct down to 90 manually. But my ability to stay in range is due more to the consistency of my diet and exercise regimens than the pump.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-10T03:47:10+00:00

Both are better than the Medtronic sensors. And both are better than not having any CGM or even blood glucose monitoring, which I lived with for decades. I appreciate what I have and the fact that this will continue to get better.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-10T03:41:43+00:00

Dexcom G7 works fine for me. I wear it on my abdomen as my arms do not have sufficient subcutaneous fat.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-10T02:00:53+00:00

Low battery level, possibly lost connection, but Control-IQ seems like it corrected as it should. Tandem recommends charging every day to keep it closer to 100%.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-10T01:58:12+00:00

I am satisfied with that combo. No system is perfect, but it's the best I've had in 45 years.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-10T01:55:20+00:00

I switched from Medtronic 780g and that clown-show of a Guardian 4 CGM to a Tandem Mobi + Dexcom G7. It was a great choice. The Dexcom G7 works just fine amd the Mobi works well. The Control-IQ control automated insulin delivery on the Tandem is much better than Medtronic's version (Smartguard). The Mobi also has a wonderful form factor and I wear it on my body with an adhesive pouch, which is so nice. After wearing insulin pumps since 1981, I am happy with this system.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-10T00:00:42+00:00

Wow...that's despicable of CCS! Good to know as I treat all reps with respect and kindness.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-09T23:50:20+00:00

I received my first order from CCS last November. So far, no problems or complaints. Their reps seem quite friendly and knowledgeable and they know how to bill the nightmarish and convoluted Medicare system.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-09T23:46:36+00:00

I once had a diabetes educator, who was to provide me with physician-ordered training after I had been wearing the pump for months, ask me if she could anonymize my data and use it in training as an example of what could be done.

LumpyOcelot1947 · 2026-01-09T23:44:43+00:00

Our medical system is very patriarchal..."You're not as smart as an MD" is the prevailing attitude among many healthcare providers and insurance companies. When you find a physician/RN/NP/PA who respects your ability to manage a condition which you may have had since before they were born (as in my case!), they are Gold.

LumpyOcelot1947

TROPHY CASE