Medicare and Anticoagulation program

[ShezaGirlie]

If you're on Medicare or a Medicare Advantage insurance program for INR testing, the following will apply to you.

As of Jan 1, 2010 our strips will come from Tapestry Medical, but we still call in our readings to QAS at the same phone number - 866-507-3395.

QAS and Tapestry Medical are under the umbrella of Inverness Medical Innovations as of the first of the year.

http://www.tapestrymedical.com/
6465 National Drive
Livermore, CA 94550-8808
(925) 606-6964

http://www.qualityassuredservices.com/
70 South Keller Road
Orlando, FL 32810-6103
(407) 563-2860

http://www.invernessmedical.com/
51 Sawyer Road
Waltham, MA 02453-3482
(781) 647-3900

 

[catwoman]

Jane:

What does this cost you per week? Just curious. I won't qualify for Medicare for another 5+ years, but I'm looking down the road.

 

[olefin]

Thanks Janie.

When we got home yesterday we had a message on the machine about the change. But not much details.
Hope they are as good as QAS in getting supplies out.

I'm on Medicare and Blue Cross supplemental.. I pay nothing.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Marsha,
I'm on a Humana Medicare Advantage plan (Humana Gold Plus) and I pay nothing. Even my drugs (granted they are generics) are free. And the Medicare Advantage plan I'm on is free - I have no monthly premium. Downside is that it's an HMO and I have to get a referral, but that's certainly not a problem so far.. Well, it was a PITA to get QAS as 'in-network', but I got it done...'hell hath no fury..'

I'm seriously debating changing to traditional Medicare and have an entire 48 hours to decide...great procastinator that I am..

 

[dick0236]

I am on a Medicare Advantage Plan with Anthem BC and currently in a program thru QAS. QAS provides all supplies and a Coaguchek LS machine(on a loaner basis). QAS bills Anthem $70/test, Anthem approves $29.70/test and pays $23.76. I pay $5.94/test. QAS is considered an "out-of-network" provider for my Advantage plan and that is why I have to pay 20%.

That's the way it was in '09. Will have to see about 2010 and Tapestry.

 

[Guest]

Tapestry Medical supplied my Coagucheck XS and test strips until this year. United Health Care now has a contract with Philips so I had to switch suppliers.

Tapestry Medical is very good at getting your supplies to you. I ordered supplies on a Saturday by phone, got a call back on Monday to confirm the order, then received it not long afterwards. Wonder what Tapestry's contract costs are with Medicare??? I was charged $80+ for 6 strips, they were out of network so that may have been why, and my insurance covered it after my deductible.

I received my invoice from Philips, they are filing with my insurance, 12 strips, plus 12 lancets for $151.20. I am so glad that Philips has the contract and is in network. My deductible is $300, after that it should be covered 100%.