Backup insulin for T1 Pump User

I’ve been using an insulin pump since 2004. Over the last 10 years, insurance companies have stopped allowing (ie. Paying for it approving) backup methods of insulin and/or insulin delivery methods.

So here I am on a Friday afternoon with a pump that is failing. I’ve already made all the necessary calls to the pump manufacturer and my doctor. My doctor has called in emergency scripts for insulin pens (Humalog, Novolog & Lantus), pen needles, syringes, keto sticks and even vial insulin (Humalog & Lantus). She prescribed so much in order to give me access to whatever my insurance company would cover.

Insurance has denied everything but the syringes and pen needles. They’re requiring pre-auths for everything and that department leaves at 5p Central Time on Friday. And even to expedite these requests, it will take at least 3 business days. The pharmacy didn’t even allow me to pay cash and be reimbursed, which is probably a separate issue. Why do insurance companies not cover backup methods of insulin? And who do I complain to in order to get this fixed? Even with just the syringes, I only have access to short acting insulin at home. So that puts me at risk of Ketoacidosis. How can this be allowed to happen? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to cover the backup than to pay for a stay at the ER?!