PD Dialysis - Week Four Day Two Baxter site issue

[RonZone]

So my PD nurse set me up an account with Baxter, the company who will supply my cycler (Amia) and the PD solutions and other stuff. Baxter sent me an email with my account username and asked me to create a password and a security question. I did all that, then was taken to the page shown in the first image below.

Obviously there was nothing on there that I could click or use to go further. I checked all of my account settings info and all that, but never could get past that screen.

So I called Baxter Customer service, who got their Technical Support folks to call me a few hours later. The Technical Support person said that yep, there was an issue. She said the icon graphic that would take me into the portal was missing on my log in landing page. She said it had "fallen off" which happens sometimes. So I assume she picked it up off the floor (just kidding) and put it back on the page. She had me to log out, then log back in and there it was, clear as day. You can see the button icon that says "Baxter Patient Portal" now appearing on the landing page. I clicked on that icon and now I see what is shown in the third photo, which is the portal which I will use to order my PD solution and other supplies as needed.

There's a video of how this works on this page next to "Getting Started":

pdempowers.com/patient/my-b...

More on this as I get into it once I start actually ordering supplies.

I'll upload the images in my next post to this topic

[Tissybell]

I like your post, and your sense of humor is refreshing. I am temporarily on hemo, and am training on the Baxter cycler as well.

[RonZone]

First Image shows log in landing page issue:

Baxter log in landing page 1

[RonZone]

Second Image shows log in landing page with Baxter Portal log in graphic button.

Baxter Log in landing page image 2

[RonZone]

Third image shows successful access to Baxter Portal.

Baxter Portal Page

[Darlenia]

Our PD nurse placed the initial orders for us. And, thereafter, my hubby simply called Baxter directly to order his supplies. They knew exactly what he needed and would occasionally say he "forgot" to mention this or that. They keep a very close eye on their supply chain and movement of products. So if you're ever feel uncertain about your orders, they will be there for you. Getting the Amia is exceptionally difficult in the mid-Atlantic region, so you're very lucky. Our nephrologist told us that my hubby would get a transplant before he would ever see an Amia. He was right. As for our old cycler, it was instantly whisked away and given to another hapless person, I'm sure. Clunky thing.

[Hidden]

Hi Ron! I order from Baxter as well, but no fancy web page for me. I just email my rep with a list. I'll be curious about your machine. Mine is the Home Choice Pro - a lot plainer than the Amia. Be prepared! You will need a fair amount of room for the supplies because there are a lot needed and they should be kept fairly organized. Oh, the "fun" you will have. God bless! 😜

[RonZone in reply to Hidden]

Emailing a list would suit me fine. Guess they're trying to steer new folks to the webpage version these days. Oh yeah, gonna be a barrel of laughs ha! Thanks for the blessing, need all I can get.

[raeernisse]

Hi Ron, so I was wondering if Medicare pays for the cycler and PD supplies or is that out of pocket?

[RonZone in reply to raeernisse]

Ok, here's what I understand. At age 65 you will be required to enroll in Medicare. (They sorta don't give you a choice without hefty penalty if you decide to put it off). People who have CKD as a diagnosis, can enroll when they are 62 from what I'm told. Since you are a tad younger than that (you can confirm this is true), you may need to get special permission or even go on some sort of disability to be eligible. (Kidney Coach is the one to ask about that I think). So if you can hold off dialysis (only with your doctor's approval and if you feel as if you can) until you get to age 62, you should be good to apply, before that, you will need to talk with Medicare or a Medicare attorney about disability of a particular kind that will allow early enrollment.

Now that being said. I have Medicare part A and part B. Part B helps cover doctors visits. Then I have a supplemental Blue Cross Blue Shield C Plus plan G that pays the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover. And I have a Blue Cross Blue Shield Part D that covers medication. All total for part B and both Blue Cross Blue Shield policies, it's about $500 a month ($170 for Medicare Part B)

If you need more specific info let me know, I'll do what I can to answer.

[RonZone in reply to raeernisse]

Oh but the answer is "yes" The cycler and PD supplies are paid for by Medicare (since I'm 69) and my BCBS supplemental. At least that's what I'm being told. I'll post a note on here if I get a bill from anybody! Oh and sign up for part B when you sign up for part A otherwise it will cost more if you sign up later I'm thinking they said. I've had it for over two years and will next week just start using it.

[horsie63 in reply to RonZone]

Good thing I have a bunch of money sitting in retirement accounts and my husband is retired Air Force so TriCare should step in somewhere. Not sure what people who don't have money do when they retire and need medical support. It's kind of criminal what the insurance companies charge.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to RonZone]

Dont pass out when you see the first bill....I was in tears.....but after it goes to Medicare and your Supplement you will owe very little or nothing at all

[raeernisse]

Thanks so much for the info. I will follow up on the Medicare enrollment issue.

[Ziggydoodah]

Very interesting info and I'm not eveb doing PD 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Its quite fascinating seeing the different protocols etc for different countries. Hope you are keeping well RonZone 👍

[Bassetmommer]

Don't cha just love technology???

[RonZone in reply to Bassetmommer]

yeah, when it works When it doesn't, not so much!

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to RonZone]

I love ordering mine on line...you can do it anytime of day...they will send you an email each month and the ordering is very uncomplicated...so easy....You just tell it what you have on hand and it tells you how much you will need...and then it tells you what day it will be delivered

[RonZone in reply to RhenDutchess123]

sweet. I guess I'll be making the order next month. The PD nurse said my first order should be here this Friday so I'll be more familiar with everything that's involved after that. Baxter site has a neat button that basically says "order what you ordered last month" You just click that button and it sends everything. Then I can order specific things separately as needed from what I can tell. I'll dig deeper into it next month.

[alport45 in reply to RhenDutchess123]

I do online ordering too. I have only had to call once to add something I had forgotten (soap). I really appreciate my delivery driver Mike. He is so helpful and friendly. I give him a tip each time to show my appreciation.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to alport45]

Wow...I have never thought to do that...how sweet...can I ask about how much you give them...they are all so helpful

[RonZone in reply to alport45]

That's a really good idea. I'll have some cash on hand on friday.

[alport45 in reply to RonZone]

I usually give him ( or anyone who fills in for him) a 20.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to alport45]

Awesome...these people work so hard and I so appreciate them...gonna start doing that too !!...thanks

[PoolMaiden in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Gosh I never thought of giving a tip. I love my regular delivery man - he is so sweet and helpful.

Baxter sends me a text with a link to order and a 4 digit code and I order that way. I've never been able to get my online account to work.

My biggest complaint is the 'split shipments' which means some of the items will come UPS and they suck.

As for Medicare I wonder if the stage of your disease is a factor as I was told I am eligible now (I'm 54 - stage 5) and will be forced to get it 33 months (or 36 months, I can never remember) after my first treatment at my dialysis center. So for me that will be May 2023. Thankfully I still work full time and have excellent insurance.

I've never done this before but I'm looking at the detail on the Davita claim and this is nuts. They charged $22K and blue cross paid them $1K and I owe nothing. Just shows you the BS in the health care industry in the US.

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to PoolMaiden]

The prices are shockingMy Clinic charges $4000 a day...I do my own PD at home..the monthly charge is about $175,000....Medicare pays them around $4000 and my Supplement pays around $3000...and I owe nothing more

[rabbit01]

I had similar problems with the UK based online ordering tool. It had some really poor features like you could not amend an order even if you realised you had made a mistake later on even if you were days off from the order cut off. I gave up and went back to calling them.

[RonZone in reply to rabbit01]

Yeah, jury is still out on this web ordering thing. I may follow your method if this gives me too much grief.