Husband's Minimed Paradigm has cracks in the case, can it be repaired?

9689 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by janivanis, Feb 19, 2014

annsrum

Discussion Starter · Mar 15, 2012

My husband has had a minimed paradigm insulin pump for awhile. At this point I am not positive how long. I think it is more than 4 (although I am going to verify that).

Anyway, he just noticed yesterday that the plastic case of the pump has several little cracks feathering out near the round edge where the battery goes. It's about a quarter inch area.

Thus far it does not appear to effect how the pump functions.

If it is still in warranty, this probably counts as some kind of misuse (even though he has not dropped it and does not recall hitting it on anything either), am I correct to assume that?

Does anyone know if it is it possible to get a pump like that repaired by minimed? or are we just going to have to buy a new one if this one gets worse?

Can you upgrade a pump that is out of warranty?

Also I saw on another forum (was from 2009) where someone had a minimed pump that was malfunctioning and was past warranty and someone commented that he could buy a refurbished minimed for 500 bucks from minimed. Has anyone ever heard of that or done that? I couldn't find any mention of it myself. Sounds too good to be true.

Thanks!

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Strawberry

· #2 · Mar 15, 2012

On other diabetic forums, I have read that the 'first' thing to do is to call Minimed Medtronics. You will need to give them the serial number of the pump, and then they will tell you how old it is and whether it is still under warranty. Don't assume it was mis-use (unless you are certain) because I've also read on an insulin pump forum that cracks do happen to the case of these pumps. It is not unheard of to encounter that.

I'm not an authority, just telling you what I've read. Call the company - what have you got to lose? The worst they can tell you is "NO, it isn't under warranty". You can decide then what you want to do. Good Luck to you and your husband.

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annsrum

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 15, 2012

Strawberry said:
On other diabetic forums, I have read that the 'first' thing to do is to call Minimed Medtronics. You will need to give them the serial number of the pump, and then they will tell you how old it is and whether it is still under warranty. Don't assume it was mis-use (unless you are certain) because I've also read on an insulin pump forum that cracks do happen to the case of these pumps. It is not unheard of to encounter that.

I'm not an authority, just telling you what I've read. Call the company - what have you got to lose? The worst they can tell you is "NO, it isn't under warranty". You can decide then what you want to do. Good Luck to you and your husband.

thanks for the info! I will definitely do that!

I am fairly sure that he did not do anything careless to cause the cracks because he is an extremely careful person and would have noticed immediately. Just wasn't sure how to prove he wasn't being careless.

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Basicrips

· #4 · Mar 15, 2012

Yeah I was told this was why they do not fully rate their pumps water-resistant. My rep said they would replace mine if it did that. Call them.

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· #5 · Mar 15, 2012 (Edited)

Yep, the only way to answer the question is to call MM. I dropped my pump once and they sent me a replacement...no questions and no lecture involved. That was a long time ago though. My Revel is pretty new, and they were happy to upgrade when I told them my 522 had a crack in the case around the window, it was past the warranty period, or just past. Let us know what you learn.

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annsrum

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 16, 2012

Well I called and they looked it up and it was past warranty as of January 3rd of this year. I asked them what our options were and basically the only option was to upgrade (assuming he wants another minimed). That there was no option for repair no matter if you paid for it out of pocket or not.

They said we could have a 90 day loaner as long as it was returned prior to the end of the 90 days or else they would charge us $3000.

They also were acting like it was super dangerous for him to use it while it was cracked and were trying to push me for what we wanted to do right that minute. Since my husband had expressed interest in evaluating what pump he wanted to get should he be forced to get a new one, I told her we would have to think about it (although it took several attempts to get her to listen).

Also, he got this current pump prior to us being married so I have not had time to review what steps we have to take with our current insurance (different than what he had 4 years ago). And am not for sure how much it covers. I asked the insurance reps at the time we switched to that insurance but really cannot remember the conversation anymore as it has been a couple of years.

Hopefully we don't end up having a ton out of pocket. Last time it was $1000 out of pocket after he returned his old pump for a credit. But again that was a different insurance, different pump company, and 4 years ago.

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Basicrips

· #7 · Mar 16, 2012

You can always take the loaner and then say you are considering animas, omnipod or whatever and see their reaction if they will cover it for the remaining few months. Doesn't seem right that they would not cover. Does your insurance only cover one per x years? I know in Canada the same is the situation with the govt program, new pump every 5 years but only 4 year warranty but the rep implied that was not an issue.

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annsrum

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 16, 2012

I called our insurance and they said we have to go through his doctor and they will tell us which contracting companies they will work with. Minimed is one of them (I asked specifically) but not sure about the rest. If the girl was giving me the right answer, he only has to pay a $35 copay for the insulin pump! I sure hope that girl gave me the correct information because that would be very awesome! Maybe this will actually turn out to be no big deal this time around

I can live through all the red tape of going to all the doctors etc, if it is only a $35.00 copay. So I have to call and get him an appointment with the doc and get the ball rolling. I'll report back if I find out any more useful info regarding the insulin pump companies.

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Shanny

· #9 · Mar 17, 2012 (Edited)

Wouldn't it be great if we could tell THEM "this call is being recorded for accuracy and honesty purposes", and then take names! Actually, I do always take names, but a lot of good it does me, because it's a rare day you ever get the previous clerk anyhow. I sure hope she gave you the correct info too!

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· #10 · Mar 17, 2012

Cool, I also find the pump companies can and will do a lot of the work to get your insurance, approval, and doctor on board. They want you to have their pump.

Your husband is sure fortunate when "I can live through all the red tape of going to all the doctors etc, if it is only a $35.00 copay. So I have to call and get him an appointment with the doc and get the ball rolling."

And ditto what Shanny said, it was funny but I do the same thing, and I write it all down while THEY are telling me the spiel.

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annsrum

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 20, 2012

I asked and just because we get the 90day loaner from minimed does not mean he has to ultimately get his new one from them. Because it is a medically necessary device (think that was the wording), they are required by law to send a loaner.or at least that is what the nurse from our dr's office said. If it is not returned by 90 days of receiving it, the will put $3600 on our bill until it is returned. Then the charge would be removed.

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markR1981

· #12 · Apr 22, 2012

Hi
My Medtronic pump has had little cracks all round where the battery cap screws in for over 6 months it doesn't affect the pump so I don't worry about it
If you can get a new pump for $35 and that's what you want then get a new one if not I wouldn't bother I'm lucky tho I don't have to pay for any of my pump supplies or pump

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janivanis

· #13 · Feb 19, 2014

722 minimed pump cracks

I am wondering if anyone else has had the same problems I am having with Minimed. I bought a pump 5 years ago. After 4 years I had noticed there was a crack in the battery area. I contacted Minimed but they said my warranty had run out the week before and there was nothing they could do for me except give me a loaner for 90 days or I could buy a new pump. The pump was cracked about 6 months earlier but I did not report it. I find it is really tough to consider buying another one of these pumps after reading this forum and seeing the problems Minimed is having with cracks plus the problems with warranty. (ONE WEEK...REALLY) I am now in my 5th year with this pump but am afraid it is going to fail at some point. Does any ne know if Anamis has any problems with their pumps and how have they been with warranty complaints?

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