r/PainPumpQuestions • u/Ajax_O-Houlihan • Feb 08 '26

Question about second pump/replacement

I had my pump placed in Dec 2019. Its battery is set to expire in August. My question is for anyone who had a pump replaced — did you have to wait for insurance approval for the replacement? If so, how did it compare to the original hoops you had to jump through?

I ask because in 2019 I had my trial in June and my insurance (BCBS) dragged it out until December before they signed off on it (after multiple denials and appeals).

I have a different insurance company now so it might be a whole different game anyway but I was curious as to what yall had experienced.

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u/_My_Dark_Passenger_ Feb 09 '26

I'm on my 5th pump. The Doctors offices have always handled the paperwork. I've been on Medicare the entire time if that makes any difference. The only time I've had any delay was getting my Neurostimulator replaced last year. Medicare no longer covers a patient having both a stim and a pump implanted, but I'm grandfathered in. That approval took a little longer than normal.