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![Savvy Top 15: Here are the Top 15 Pharma Companies of 2016](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/stockfresh_870564_3d-man-with-pills-and-bottle_sizeS_658276-300x300.jpg?resize=138%2C138&ssl=1)
![Savvy Humor: Mankoff’s “Not Covered”](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Humor-Not-Covered-Mankoff-300x238.jpg?resize=411%2C326&ssl=1)
Savvy Humor: Mankoff’s “Not Covered”
Just a little “giggle” from Bob Mankoff, the cartoon editor of The New Yorker for the past 20 years. He is stepping down from that post but certainly not retired! Thanks Mr. Mankoff for all your humor!![Savvy Updates 3.12.17: Alexa, Live Stem Cell Imaging, New Cause of T1](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/AmazonEcho3-287x300.jpg?resize=198%2C207&ssl=1)
Savvy Updates 3.12.17: Alexa, Live Stem Cell Imaging, New Cause of T1
Wow, some really neat stuff in the news! Merck aims to put Amazon’s Alexa to work on voice-enabled diabetes tools, according to a post on FiercePharma.com by Beth Snyder Bulik, 8 March 2017 … thanks to Mike Hoskins for the heads up. Using Amazon Lex, the...![Savvy Sweet Fun: SUGAR](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sugar-300x162.jpg?resize=333%2C180&ssl=1)
Savvy Sweet Fun: SUGAR
I just read a fun and comprehensive blog post on the FIFTY SIX (56) names for sugar, thanks to Nicole Pajer on ASweetLife.com. Sugar is everyone and in so many of the foods we eat. According to the article, added sugar is in (hiding or not obvious) in 74% of...![CGM under Medicare: Liberty Medical Takes Order and Ships!!!](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Liberty-Medical-LLC_88426_large-247x300.png?resize=127%2C154&ssl=1)
CGM under Medicare: Liberty Medical Takes Order and Ships!!!
Here’s an update from Frank, one of my readers: “Liberty” phoned me Tuesday and said Medicare had OK’d the new billing codes and they could start filling claims. They emphasized that if Medicare denies the claim & any appeals, I will be...![Savvy Updates 3.5.2017: Fasting, Finns, Funding](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Fasting-300x300.jpg?resize=271%2C271&ssl=1)
Savvy Updates 3.5.2017: Fasting, Finns, Funding
As always, lots happening in the diabetes world of technology, research and more! Fasting Diet Regenerates Beta Cells in Mice was featured on InsulinNation.com, 24 February 2017. The subtitle: The cyclical diet also restored insulin sensitivity. Researchers from...![Medicare CGM Saga Continued](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/screenbean-phone-260x300.png?resize=108%2C125&ssl=1)
Medicare CGM Saga Continued
I am not trying to stir the pot of frustration about Medicare and Dexcom … but here goes. As I mentioned, Dexcom absolutely CANNOT sell me any product, for cash, because my file shows that I am covered by Medicare. Even if I just want to BUY a transmitter...![Savvy about Chia Seeds: Who Knew!?](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CS-mint.jpg?resize=284%2C189&ssl=1)
Savvy about Chia Seeds: Who Knew!?
I’ve just discovered chia seeds … and indeed, chia seed pudding! Oh yum, oh easy to make, oh high protein, oh low carb, oh high fiber! I read Adam Brown’s Adam’s Corner on diaTribe, about eating a well-managed breakfast (A Home Run...![More Medicare Dexcom Purchase Madness!](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/stockfresh_132340_3d-small-people-angry_sizeS_6f17df-216x300.jpg?resize=149%2C207&ssl=1)
More Medicare Dexcom Purchase Madness!
As a follow up on my last post, it only gets worse! Dexcom CAN NOT now sell me, via a cash purchase, the G5 transmitter, just because I have Medicare as my insurance! I am forced to buy from Liberty Medical Supplies. Dexcom cash price: $599 Liberty cash...![Savvy HUH? Medicare Approves CGM but Can’t Get One?!](https://i0.wp.com/thesavvydiabet.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/NOT-YET-3-300x294.jpg?resize=300%2C294&ssl=1)