One my good friends writes about the diabetes industry for those who work in the field. She is considering publishing a newsletter for intensively managed patients, and wants to learn more about what those who consider themselves in this category would like to read.

The newsletter would be specifically for people who manage their diabetes aggressively and are very motivated to remain very healthy.

She has prepared a survey to help guide the process and would like your input on what it should include.

Feel free to send the E-News to anyone you wish so that all who might be benefited by this could help construct this new service. While you are at it, sign up to get this free letter. You have to register to get this new product so do it now before it passes you by.

Competitive Bidding for Glucose Testing

This is an excellent news letter for those who are involved with diabetes on a business basis and for those who really want to “know everything”. Many behind the scenes comments and information most will never have knowledge about but is very important for those with diabetes. Here it is.

Our last topic is a bit political - the issue of competitive bidding around glucose monitoring is quietly becoming a hot topic, and this has us very concerned. Bottom line, we suddenly see a very big risk that, as a result of the new proposed rules related to Competitive Bidding for Durable Medical Equipment, that Medicare recipients (easily a third of all patients with diabetes – 20% of people over 60 have diabetes, remember…) may soon only have access to the least expensive glucose meters and strips. What?! I know. This new program is scheduled to take effect in late 2007 in 10 of the largest major metropolitan areas in the US. If this happens, people on Medicare would be stuck with the cheapest strips, not the best ones, unless the final rules are modified. In order to ensure that Medicare can consider other (read: non-price) considerations in awarding bids for glucose testing supplies (this means, in order to ensure companies will still be able to invest in patient and provider education, innovation, customer service, etc.), we urge doctors and nurses, patients, concerned individuals, and anyone who cares about patients being able to monitor their diabetes optimally to submit comments in the open-comment period that ends on June 30, 2006. We are concerned that patients, out of nowhere, are going to be wind up with the short end of the stick because they will be stuck with meters and strips made by companies who don't invest in valuable innovation, education, and other services that are important to patients and health care professionals. Please weigh in at the following website to register your thoughts and submit a comment on Docket CMS-1270-P

Let them know that patients want choice and need choice and will do far better with choice! And while you’re at it, you might also let them know is that the problem is with lack of attention toward prevention and treatment, not the price of diabetes technology. We'll have a longer blog on how to make a difference here, and if you are interested in the details, please write me directly at kclose@closeconcerns.com. (BTW).

‘Til soon ~

-- Kelly L. Close

Approved by Dr. Joe, The Diabetes Doctor