Medical company / diabetes rant

[Z-man]

Ok, so between the folks here, a couple of diabetic friends at work, and my doctor, I am finally convinced that I should go on insulin pump therapy.

I found a company that makes a pump as well as a device that will monitor my blood glucose continually and sync up with the meter.

So I got the ball rolling.

The folks with this company were very helpful and did all the legwork - got the insurance info, doctor's info...etc. Fantastic.

Fortunately, my insurance company is pretty good, and they will be covering most of the expenses. Bottom line: I'll have to pay about $700 up front, and an additional $100 - $150 a month to use their system. Yes folks, diabetes is an expensive hobby...

So I get my package today, and the first thing I notice in the packaging is this:

stores up to 250 blood glucose test results, which can be downloaded to your PC. Software and cable not included

With this setup, I can also put my info on the web, where my doctor would have access to my info.

That last sentence bothered me, so I called the company to query what they meant. As it turns out, the software is a free download, but the USB cable must be purchased separately at about $20.00.

Now $20.00 isn't going to break the bank, but geez - this company is going to get some serious coin from my (and my insurance company). To nickel and dime me over a lousy USB cable is ABSURD. They give me all of this great technology to help control my diabetes, yet they won't go 100% to ensure that I can monitor my diabetes in the best way possible. Freakin' rediculous!

This company will have me as a lifetime customer for cryin' out loud! They will probably get close to $500.00 a month for all the supplies that I will need to keep this system going. Yet they will charge me $20 bucks for a USB cable. (I can tell them where to stick their freakin' USB cable...)

So I have an email and voice mail into the company sales rep who set up all this with me. I told him he either sends me that USB cable free of charge, or the kit goes back.

I hate it when a compny takes advantage of someone with a chronic disease...

Rant over,
-Z-man.

[Moses]

Do you realize how NEW this technology is? People have been trying to develop an implantable glucose monitoring system for decades. I'm sure the R&D on this approaches a billion dollars. (I'm not kidding). The technology you are using is pretty damn close to having an artificial pancreas. Your new setup will not only make your life more convenient, but the greater glucose control may well extend your life significantly.

Your rant reminds me of a patient I had once that contracted bubonic plague at Lake Tahoe. The patient was moaning about the fact that he was charged a $20 copay for his medications after all his other expenses. Give me a break! You have the F%$#ing PLAGUE!

The med tech company is in the business of trying to save lives, not provide free USB cables. (end of rant )

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by Moses

The med tech company is in the business of trying to save lives, not provide free USB cables. (end of rant )

That may be a secondary goal, but the med tech company's first and foremost goal is to make money. Plain and simple.

Yes, there is a significant amount of money a company spends on R&B, and they need to recover that cost - absolutely. The sad thing is that they develop products that the consumer needs to 'refill' such as the glucose monitoring systems -- in order to recoup their costs. Or in order to make things work end to end, they require that you purchase additional devices like software and USB cables. But they can very easily develop systems that don't need such things, or include EVERYTHING in the package -- heck I don't even care if they charge me more (even the $20.00) -- just give me my damn USB cable! It's not like in the 80's when most households didn't have a PC or online connectivity. We're in the freaking age of the internet! (I'm actually surprised that they have a USB cable, and not some old Serial link...)

Moses - I'm all for med tech companies making money -- but when they sell me a $6000.00 unit (that's about the total cost of the setup including what the insurance company pays out), for them NOT to include a lousy USB cable -- what the heck is that about?!?!

-Z-man.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Moses

...
The med tech company is in the business of trying to save lives, not provide free USB cables. (end of rant )

BULL SHIYT!

I deal with various product development customers. (Product Development consultant) Thee most 'business' oriented are those in the medical device field. --by far. Sure, they enjoy the image of "trying to save lives" but to say that is the driving motivation (by and large) is completely wrong. For marketing, the people in the medical field get to ask "your money or your life?" ...it's like the solution sells itself.

Certainly medical product development takes a lot of money, but I assure you, that the decision to omit a $2 cable had nothing to do with the product development cost or price-point barrier. --one thing, the squeeze.

Furthermore, from a product package standpoint, omitting that cable was really poor. THat was an easy value-added piece .... now the user has to spend time to track down the proper cable, all because some greedy bean-counter.

[Gogar]

Z-Man,

Do you have a USB cable at home?

[scottmandue]

Sorry to hijack the thread and rantfest 2008...

Z-man, I'm diabetic but just on meds... were you on insulin?

Rather than bombard you with questions can you post a link to insulin pump you are considering?

I'm not sure I'm ready for one but I would appreciate your and Moses (or anyone else's out there) thoughts on the technology.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Z-man

That may be a secondary goal, but the med tech company's first and foremost goal is to make money. Plain and simple.
-Z-man.

Originally Posted by Moses

The med tech company is in the business of trying to save lives, not provide free USB cables. (end of rant )

In case you missed it the first time.

Obviously the first goal of any business is to make money. Bankrupt companies do a poor job of bringing products to market.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Sorry to hijack the thread and rantfest 2008...

Z-man, I'm diabetic but just on meds... were you on insulin?

Rather than bombard you with questions can you post a link to insulin pump you are considering?

I'm not sure I'm ready for one but I would appreciate your and Moses (or anyone else's out there) thoughts on the technology.

Scott - I'm type one & on insulin.

I'd rather not say what company I'm dealing with until the USB issue is resolved. I am hopeful they will send me a USB cable.

That said, I'll send ya a PM with the info.

Originally Posted by Gogar

Z-Man,

Do you have a USB cable at home?

Yes I do, but the USB cable they use with the unit has a propietary connection. They could have easily had a mini-usb connection on the meter, but then they wouldn't be able to sell their special cable, now could they???

Moses - my point is this -- if I'm going to buy a setup from a med-tech company, and they claim it is the complete package, then I expect a COMPLETE package. They sell accessories on their website - medical carry bags, different pouches for the devices -- and I am 100% ok with that, and will probably purchase an additional thigh/leg pouch ($16.95), Travel Mate bag ($29.95), and Travel Tote ($26.95). (I'm sick and tired of trying to find a tote / carry all that's the right size for my current stuff...). But IMHO, the USB cable SHOULD be part of the package deal. For them to sell me a $6000 unit, and not include a $20 USB cable is absurd.

Note: I've experienced this with other blood test machines from other companies -- they all seem to not include the USB cable.

-Z-man.

[island911]

In case you missed it the first time.

Originally Posted by island911

....
Certainly medical product development takes a lot of money, but I assure you, that the decision to omit a $2 cable had nothing to do with the product development cost or price-point barrier. --one thing, the squeeze.....

Originally Posted by Moses

..Obviously the first goal of any business is to make money. Bankrupt companies do a poor job of bringing products to market.

No, that is not obvious. Like I said, I help a lot of different people bring their products to market. The degree that making money drives the business varies. Those in the medical field are the MOST about making money. For others, the first goal is seeing a (their) better solution out on the market (among other motivations). Making money is often not even the second reason (goal) that they bring their product to market.

I suspect that concept is tough for you to imagine --someone trying to just bring a product to market without making some huge profit. But consider, even here on Pelican, some guy was pushing some cast wheels, just because he thought it would be cool if the market if a larger size faux Fuchs was available. ...or was that all about 'profit'?

[Jandrews]

Moses...just curious,

How does one contract Bubonic Plague at Lake Tahoe (or anywhere else for that matter)? Yikes!!


JA

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Z-man

Yes I do, but the USB cable they use with the unit has a propietary connection. They could have easily had a mini-usb connection on the meter, but then they wouldn't be able to sell their special cable, now could they???
-Z-man.

Okay. I'm in your corner now.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

Moses...just curious,

How does one contract Bubonic Plague at Lake Tahoe (or anywhere else for that matter)? Yikes!!

JA

I don't know for sure... but I think I heard something about the squirrels carrying the plague? I might be wrong.

Z-man, have you tried the insulin pen? Like I said I am just on oral meds for now but went to a free seminar and it looked pretty cool.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Z-man, have you tried the insulin pen? Like I said I am just on oral meds for now but went to a free seminar and it looked pretty cool.

Scott:
I've been using an insulin pen for at least 5 years now. Coupled with a long acting insulin, it is more convenient than taking a conventional shot before meals, but the insulin pump is far superior in getting the right insulin dose at the right time...

-Z

[Dixie]

Lordy...

Exhale deeply. Relax. Get over your "rant". Now drive down to Radio Shack and buy a USB cable.

[carambola]

it seems i get a USB cord with anything i buy

[Don Plumley]

I completely understand the frustration with the nickel/dime on a big ticket item. You are right, they should just include the cable.

However, if you step back and think about the 80%+ of the people that will be using this device, they won't/can't use a USB cable. So the manufacturer is probably making a smart choice not to bundle it into the kit as it just adds cost to the BOM.

However, to have the part available to the few people that are interested, it then carries a part number and inventory value. The company has to figure out how many to stock/distribute/yada yada.

Bottom line, you are right, they should just give it to whomever wants one. But I'm not sure it's worth getting your blood pressure up over.

Don

(BTW, my mom had ESRD so this touches an issue close to me)

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Lordy...

Exhale deeply. Relax. Get over your "rant". Now drive down to Radio Shack and buy a USB cable.

Ahem. Please re-read my posts above -- the end of the USB cable that plugs into the blood glucose meter is a propietary connection IE: only this company makes this type of USB cable. (It plugs into the slot that one puts the blood test strips in) You can't just hop on down to the local Radio Shack to pick one up, although they could have easily used a mini-USB connection.

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

However, if you step back and think about the 80%+ of the people that will be using this device, they won't/can't use a USB cable. So the manufacturer is probably making a smart choice not to bundle it into the kit as it just adds cost to the BOM.

I respectfully disagree with your logic -- I suspect that it is quite the opposite - more like 80% of the folks who use these pumps will be using a USB cable. (Side note: Type I diabetes - happens in younger people, not older. People with Type I diabetes are the people that use insulin pumps)

If 80% of the US population has cell phones, then it is safe to say that 80% of the US population that are diabetics are tech savvy, own a computer, and would take advantage of the lousy USB cable.

Also note: the USB cable is the only way I can upload my numbers online, where my diabetes doctor can analyze the data...

-Z-man.

[DUK]

Z-man, I agree. My wife has the pump and I couldn't believe they won't send a cable. I called the company and gave them an ear full. Of course I had to still pay for the darn thing.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Lordy...

Exhale deeply. Relax. Get over your "rant". Now drive down to Radio Shack and buy a USB cable.

I was gonna say: Eat a candy bar and get back to us on this one!!!!!!

[widgeon13]

is it just the standard USB cable or a specialized one??