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Post by lakefox333 on Oct 29, 2016 13:27:13 GMT -5
Recent exposure to MannKind Cares was fantastic. I thought I was in trouble since my medication was running low and I did not know what to expect, you see I would get a new prescription only once over 6 months and the distribution network had changed.
I had to set up an appointment with the Diabetic Educator at my clinic. I’m a type 2 and 65 years old. My A1c has dropped from 7.0 to 6.1 over 18 months and I have lost over 50 lbs. I believe my A1c will drop under 6 at my next check in Dec.
Prior to my appointment I called and talked with a MannKind nurse practitioner with a few questions and was very pleased with her knowledge and professionalism. She suggested I call MannKind Cares to review insurance options.
MannKind Cares customer service was terrific. They guided me to the right forms and website, which allowed me to prepare for the doctor’s office visit. A representative called me back to make sure all my questions were answered and helped me with the preparation of the Afrezza Access and Patient Authorization forms.
The DE at my clinic is an RN and is the most knowledgeable person on diabetes and treatment options at my clinic, which has 2 locations. My doctor (GP) has tremendous confidence in the DE and tells me to discuss options with her since it the DE’s responsibility to stay current on all the best treatment options. The DE and I examine the options and then inform the doctor what we have decided, my results have been so good that the doctor has always approved our decision to utilize Afrezza.
I decided to change my prescription to the Titration Pack was very pleased to be given a MannKind Titration Pack Card which along with a 30 day prescription allowed me to get a “free” Titration Pack from my local pharmacy. The MannKind rep had been there the day before and met with the Diabetic Educator and provided these cards. This gives me 180 cartridges instead of 90 for a 30 period so I have many more options for providing ideal control.
30 days have passed and I again contracted MannKind Cares to obtain a new prescription. They guided me to a mail order pharmacy, which saved me just under 10% of my co-pay versus my normal options. They called me back to make sure the mail order pharmacy had contacted me promptly, and then called to make sure I had received the medication on the scheduled delivery date. Can you believe this type of customer service? I’m stunned!
Mike C if you see this send me a PM so I can give you a head’s up on an “Exchange” issue.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 13:35:01 GMT -5
Mike C if you see this send me a PM so I can give you a head’s up on an “Exchange” issue. It would be more appropriate and useful if you can reach out to Mannkind corp freedom@mannkindcorp.com - thank him and let him know on the exchange issue as it would get his attention as that email gets monitored by some one or the other at Mannkindcorp He might not be active here |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2016 13:39:03 GMT -5
I’m a type 2 and 65 years old. My A1c has dropped from 7.0 to 6.1 over 18 months and I have lost over 50 lbs. I believe my A1c will drop under 6 at my next check in Dec. The DE at my clinic is an RN and is the most knowledgeable person on diabetes and treatment options at my clinic, which has 2 locations. My doctor (GP) has tremendous confidence in the DE and tells me to discuss options with her since it the DE’s responsibility to stay current on all the best treatment options. The DE and I examine the options and then inform the doctor what we have decided, my results have been so good that the doctor has always approved our decision to utilize Afrezza. How about your DE recommending Afrezza to other patients? what insulin were you using before Afrezza? |
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Post by surplusvalue on Oct 29, 2016 13:39:48 GMT -5
Recent exposure to MannKind Cares was fantastic. I thought I was in trouble since my medication was running low and I did not know what to expect, you see I would get a new prescription only once over 6 months and the distribution network had changed. I had to set up an appointment with the Diabetic Educator at my clinic. I’m a type 2 and 65 years old. My A1c has dropped from 7.0 to 6.1 over 18 months and I have lost over 50 lbs. I believe my A1c will drop under 6 at my next check in Dec. Prior to my appointment I called and talked with a MannKind nurse practitioner with a few questions and was very pleased with her knowledge and professionalism. She suggested I call MannKind Cares to review insurance options. MannKind Cares customer service was terrific. They guided me to the right forms and website, which allowed me to prepare for the doctor’s office visit. A representative called me back to make sure all my questions were answered and helped me with the preparation of the Afrezza Access and Patient Authorization forms. The DE at my clinic is an RN and is the most knowledgeable person on diabetes and treatment options at my clinic, which has 2 locations. My doctor (GP) has tremendous confidence in the DE and tells me to discuss options with her since it the DE’s responsibility to stay current on all the best treatment options. The DE and I examine the options and then inform the doctor what we have decided, my results have been so good that the doctor has always approved our decision to utilize Afrezza. I decided to change my prescription to the Titration Pack was very pleased to be given a MannKind Titration Pack Card which along with a 30 day prescription allowed me to get a “free” Titration Pack from my local pharmacy. The MannKind rep had been there the day before and met with the Diabetic Educator and provided these cards. This gives me 180 cartridges instead of 90 for a 30 period so I have many more options for providing ideal control. 30 days have passed and I again contracted MannKind Cares to obtain a new prescription. They guided me to a mail order pharmacy, which saved me just under 10% of my co-pay versus my normal options. They called me back to make sure the mail order pharmacy had contacted me promptly, and then called to make sure I had received the medication on the scheduled delivery date. Can you believe this type of customer service? I’m stunned! Mike C if you see this send me a PM so I can give you a head’s up on an “Exchange” issue. Excellent. Very nice to hear another example of MNKD's efforts through Mannkind Cares maintaining and supporting its existing patients. This was a significant problem before in that many who started Afrezza dropped out. Looks like MNKD has found an excellent solution. Best of luck to you. |
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Post by gamblerjag on Oct 29, 2016 14:19:43 GMT -5
Lakefox.. that is great customer service indeed. Hopefully this will help Sweed's dad not give up hope.
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Post by rayskum on Oct 29, 2016 14:35:06 GMT -5
Lakefox333 - thank you for sharing. With all the gloom and doom prediction over the last few days, it has been tough. Your post is certainly helpful. Hopefully other Afrezza users will find similar success.
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Post by lakefox333 on Oct 29, 2016 17:31:59 GMT -5
Iam2 - thanks for the email contact for Mannkind, an email has been sent.
To answer your other questions, Afrezza is the only insulin I have ever used. I have been taking metformin for a number of years but never insulin. I fought and won an appeal, based on excellent results, to obtain insurance coverage on Afrezza. After paying out of pocket for 6 months the insurance company provided it to me at no charge until I turned 65. Now I am on Medicare and although not on the formulary, Express Scripts is providing coverage although the copay is higher than I like.
The DE does have other patients on Afrezza, especially after seeing what it has done for me. Spirometry is a non issue but insurance coverage is still spotty and limiting patient access.
One interesting thing of note, the DE informed me that Sanofi was told by insurance providers that Afrezza would never achieve status lower than Tier 3 and this entered into their decision to part ways with MannKind.
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Post by agedhippie on Oct 29, 2016 17:54:10 GMT -5
One interesting thing of note, the DE informed me that Sanofi was told by insurance providers that Afrezza would never achieve status lower than Tier 3 and this entered into their decision to part ways with MannKind. I can believe that. Currently most formularies have only one prandial at tier 2, everything else is at tier 3 or out. The prandial insulin is bundles with other drugs to lower the overall price. If the PBM now brings in a second prandial insulin the current pharma's sales will decrease and they are going to take that out on the PBM across the bundle. I cannot see it paying an PBM to take Afrezza (or any second insulin) in this case. There are possibilities though. In some cases a company self-insures and the PBM simply manages the service. In those cases the customer company can vary the formulary although most do not as it increases their costs. |
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Post by goyocafe on Oct 29, 2016 17:55:00 GMT -5
Iam2 - thanks for the email contact for Mannkind, an email has been sent. To answer your other questions, Afrezza is the only insulin I have ever used. I have been taking metformin for a number of years but never insulin. I fought and won an appeal, based on excellent results, to obtain insurance coverage on Afrezza. After paying out of pocket for 6 months the insurance company provided it to me at no charge until I turned 65. Now I am on Medicare and although not on the formulary, Express Scripts is providing coverage although the copay is higher than I like. The DE does have other patients on Afrezza, especially after seeing what it has done for me. Spirometry is a non issue but insurance coverage is still spotty and limiting patient access. One interesting thing of note, the DE informed me that Sanofi was told by insurance providers that Afrezza would never achieve status lower than Tier 3 and this entered into their decision to part ways with MannKind. Improved label (superiority) and pricing would change that in a heartbeat. SNY (Brandicourt) simply didn't want it in their armament. |
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Post by mnkdfann on Oct 29, 2016 21:30:50 GMT -5
30 days have passed and I again contracted MannKind Cares to obtain a new prescription. They guided me to a mail order pharmacy, which saved me just under 10% of my co-pay versus my normal options. They called me back to make sure the mail order pharmacy had contacted me promptly, and then called to make sure I had received the medication on the scheduled delivery date. Can you believe this type of customer service? I’m stunned! The elephant in the room is just how and why they are able to give such great service. |
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Post by gtay87 on Oct 30, 2016 9:13:06 GMT -5
Recent exposure to MannKind Cares was fantastic. I thought I was in trouble since my medication was running low and I did not know what to expect, you see I would get a new prescription only once over 6 months and the distribution network had changed. I had to set up an appointment with the Diabetic Educator at my clinic. I’m a type 2 and 65 years old. My A1c has dropped from 7.0 to 6.1 over 18 months and I have lost over 50 lbs. I believe my A1c will drop under 6 at my next check in Dec. Prior to my appointment I called and talked with a MannKind nurse practitioner with a few questions and was very pleased with her knowledge and professionalism. She suggested I call MannKind Cares to review insurance options. MannKind Cares customer service was terrific. They guided me to the right forms and website, which allowed me to prepare for the doctor’s office visit. A representative called me back to make sure all my questions were answered and helped me with the preparation of the Afrezza Access and Patient Authorization forms. The DE at my clinic is an RN and is the most knowledgeable person on diabetes and treatment options at my clinic, which has 2 locations. My doctor (GP) has tremendous confidence in the DE and tells me to discuss options with her since it the DE’s responsibility to stay current on all the best treatment options. The DE and I examine the options and then inform the doctor what we have decided, my results have been so good that the doctor has always approved our decision to utilize Afrezza. I decided to change my prescription to the Titration Pack was very pleased to be given a MannKind Titration Pack Card which along with a 30 day prescription allowed me to get a “free” Titration Pack from my local pharmacy. The MannKind rep had been there the day before and met with the Diabetic Educator and provided these cards. This gives me 180 cartridges instead of 90 for a 30 period so I have many more options for providing ideal control. 30 days have passed and I again contracted MannKind Cares to obtain a new prescription. They guided me to a mail order pharmacy, which saved me just under 10% of my co-pay versus my normal options. They called me back to make sure the mail order pharmacy had contacted me promptly, and then called to make sure I had received the medication on the scheduled delivery date. Can you believe this type of customer service? I’m stunned! Mike C if you see this send me a PM so I can give you a head’s up on an “Exchange” issue. What do you mean by exchange issue? |
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Post by peppy on Oct 30, 2016 11:29:39 GMT -5
Recent exposure to MannKind Cares was fantastic. I thought I was in trouble since my medication was running low and I did not know what to expect, you see I would get a new prescription only once over 6 months and the distribution network had changed. I had to set up an appointment with the Diabetic Educator at my clinic. I’m a type 2 and 65 years old. My A1c has dropped from 7.0 to 6.1 over 18 months and I have lost over 50 lbs. I believe my A1c will drop under 6 at my next check in Dec. Prior to my appointment I called and talked with a MannKind nurse practitioner with a few questions and was very pleased with her knowledge and professionalism. She suggested I call MannKind Cares to review insurance options. MannKind Cares customer service was terrific. They guided me to the right forms and website, which allowed me to prepare for the doctor’s office visit. A representative called me back to make sure all my questions were answered and helped me with the preparation of the Afrezza Access and Patient Authorization forms. The DE at my clinic is an RN and is the most knowledgeable person on diabetes and treatment options at my clinic, which has 2 locations. My doctor (GP) has tremendous confidence in the DE and tells me to discuss options with her since it the DE’s responsibility to stay current on all the best treatment options. The DE and I examine the options and then inform the doctor what we have decided, my results have been so good that the doctor has always approved our decision to utilize Afrezza. I decided to change my prescription to the Titration Pack was very pleased to be given a MannKind Titration Pack Card which along with a 30 day prescription allowed me to get a “free” Titration Pack from my local pharmacy. The MannKind rep had been there the day before and met with the Diabetic Educator and provided these cards. This gives me 180 cartridges instead of 90 for a 30 period so I have many more options for providing ideal control. 30 days have passed and I again contracted MannKind Cares to obtain a new prescription. They guided me to a mail order pharmacy, which saved me just under 10% of my co-pay versus my normal options. They called me back to make sure the mail order pharmacy had contacted me promptly, and then called to make sure I had received the medication on the scheduled delivery date. Can you believe this type of customer service? I’m stunned! Mike C if you see this send me a PM so I can give you a head’s up on an “Exchange” issue. Thank you for telling us. On a tear. There again, the weight loss with afrezza.
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Post by wgreystone on Oct 30, 2016 13:52:57 GMT -5
30 days have passed and I again contracted MannKind Cares to obtain a new prescription. They guided me to a mail order pharmacy, which saved me just under 10% of my co-pay versus my normal options. They called me back to make sure the mail order pharmacy had contacted me promptly, and then called to make sure I had received the medication on the scheduled delivery date. Can you believe this type of customer service? I’m stunned! The elephant in the room is just how and why they are able to give such great service. The great customer service solution is not scalable. It works when they have few patients on Afrezza. Mannkind should still put in great effort to resolve the insurance issue. For Mannkind, they should really not care about gross margin at this stage. They can always raise price later, like Mylan did. |
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Post by mnkdfann on Oct 30, 2016 18:12:31 GMT -5
The elephant in the room is just how and why they are able to give such great service. The great customer service solution is not scalable. It works when they have few patients on Afrezza. Mannkind should still put in great effort to resolve the insurance issue. For Mannkind, they should really not care about gross margin at this stage. They can always raise price later, like Mylan did. Yup, that's the elephant. Not too hard to provide excellent service to dozens of customers calling in, when you were preparing for hundreds or thousands. |
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Post by mnholdem on Oct 30, 2016 20:16:51 GMT -5
Ummmm, isn't scalability one of the reasons why MannKind outsourced customer service (aka MannKind Cares) to one of the best in the industry? The selection of Asembia (formerly Armada Health Solutions) utilizes the hub services and technology "to optimize patient care and access." - see press release. I'm not sure how you guys formed your opinions about lack of scalability in customer service for Afrezza patients, but you seem to be lacking some fairly crucial information. That is the only elephant I can see in this thread...   |
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