Traveling Baxter changed protocol ?

[CCStan]

I just called Baxter.....Finally after a year of thinking about traveling, we decided to give it a try.  I was tolld at one time that Baxter would ship your supplies to your destination w/o charge. That this could be done once a year ! Well it seems that Dawn at Baxter told they no longer ship that we (the patients) have to pay an expidating charge of $100usd if travel arragements made more than 30 days if arrangements are less than 30 days than the charge is $200usd.  Plus shipping charges for the amount needed.  She said this "change" took place Nov., 2009.  So it appears traveling on PD or dialysis just may be getting out of financial reach for dialysis patients.   Thought I hated dialysis before now knowing it is a financial burden to travel makes it even worse !!  I have not gotten the charge for shipping to Cancun, Mexico she needs to call back with that charge will let you guys know.

Stan

[Hanify]

They did the same thing over here Stan - it's a real bummer.  It was going to cost us $600 to get my supplies shipped to Samoa last year.  We ended up splitting them between 4 of us, and the airline were very helpful and obliging letting us take more weight than you are supposed to.  Of course it was a hassle lugging 40k of fluid everywhere, but it's doable.  How long are you going for?

[Jie]

I had a travel order during mid December and no one told me about the charge. Anyway, the insurance should cover this cost. The clinic has charged much higher than a reasonable cost. I don't think I will pay this extra cost. I travel several times a year and it will be a big cost.

[CCStan]

Ok, got the call from Baxter with cost of shipping 20 cases (30 day supply for CAPD) to Cancun, Mexico is:$177.00usd !

We were going to leave on Feb.,1st (less than 30days) would have been $200.00.  So changed departure date to Feb.9th . So expediting fee is: $100.00. for a total of $277.00usd. 

Jie if traveling no choice to pay or not.  Had to give credit card # if not order would not be expedited.  So anywhere from $100 to $200 for approx. 5 minutes to give delvy information.  No wonder Baxter stock has gone up this last quarter.  The mangement needs more $$ I guess.  So if you now want to travel you have to have extra bucks.

I checked the Baxter web page and told my travel dept. that it still states FREE shipping charges of diasilate.
http://www.baxter.ca/en/about_baxter/our_businesses/sub/pd_travel.html

Unfortunately did not notice that it was a Canadian site.  So it seems that Canadians can still enjoy FREE shipping while traveling.

I asked for the corporate # but they "didn't have it" Yeah, OK.  Trying to find a contact page to ask why, no one notified that they are now trying to take more $$ from dialysis patients, don't we have enough problems?
Also, wondering if notifing the National Kidney Foundation, or calling TV channels to report "Baxter stocks increases, while management makes new rules to charge PD patients to travel."

  for today.

Stan

[CCStan]

They did the same thing over here Stan - it's a real bummer.  It was going to cost us $600 to get my supplies shipped to Samoa last year.  We ended up splitting them between 4 of us, and the airline were very helpful and obliging letting us take more weight than you are supposed to.  Of course it was a hassle lugging 40k of fluid everywhere, but it's doable.  How long are you going for?

Hannity, Where is "over here" ? UK countries ?  Wow your shipping was a lot more than ours !!  Maybe due that Samoa does not have a local supplier.  I was told that factors into the shipping cost.

Did you mean 40Liters  I understand 40k to be 40,000 .  We will still have to hand carry 30/2liters bags, becuase Mexico has no Extraneal and of course Baxter will not ship.  So we are taking my daughter with us to help with this baggage.  To add insult to injury the airlines have cut their free baggage allowance to ONE (It was 2 last year for int'l flights). Will still probably have to pay for extra baggage!  So figuring that will be another $100usd (extra baggage) to the cost of traveling.  We are hoping that this much fluid will be able to go through security. 

Did you have any letters explaining the fluid?  Did you speak with security?  I am really concerned now, espcially after the underwear bomber episode.

  for any hints you can help us with.

Stan

[Malibu]

Stan, contact someone at the FAA if you cannot get anywhere with the airline.....they are supposed to ship medical supplies for free.  What I mean is there should be no extra baggage charge for your medical supply suitcase.

[peleroja]

Didn't know they had actually done it.  I remember taking a phone survey a couple of years ago about just such a thing.  Bummer 

[CCStan]

Stan, contact someone at the FAA if you cannot get anywhere with the airline.....they are supposed to ship medical supplies for free.  What I mean is there should be no extra baggage charge for your medical supply suitcase.

Malibu, REALLY   I called airline was told I would have to pay overweight and extra luggage charge !It would be wonderful if this is true !! That they have to fly medical supplies.  Then I can take some clothes...was going to use ALL luggage and weight for diasilate.  I have some clothes left in the condo but, after a year who knows what fits and what is there.  If not just thought we'd go naked for the month that should stir things up a bit

Do you know of any numbers I can call ??  I really don't think we should subject other people with the site of wrinkly old skin and cathers hanging out Just not a nice view.

Thanks

[Hanify]

They did the same thing over here Stan - it's a real bummer.  It was going to cost us $600 to get my supplies shipped to Samoa last year.  We ended up splitting them between 4 of us, and the airline were very helpful and obliging letting us take more weight than you are supposed to.  Of course it was a hassle lugging 40k of fluid everywhere, but it's doable.  How long are you going for?

Hannity, Where is "over here" ? UK countries ?  Wow your shipping was a lot more than ours !!  Maybe due that Samoa does not have a local supplier.  I was told that factors into the shipping cost.

Yes - sorry - I meant 40L.  Over here is NZ so, it's always a long way to anywhere else.  We get free delivery in NZ and Australia, but that's it.  You're right about Samoa not having a local supplier - it would be cheaper if I went to Hawaii - hey, maybe I'll go to Hawaii.  I had a lettr from my renal unit and that's all the airlines needed. They were all fantastic and didn't charge us for the extra weight.  I think they have to let you have extra weight if it's medical stuff.

Did you mean 40Liters  I understand 40k to be 40,000 .  We will still have to hand carry 30/2liters bags, becuase Mexico has no Extraneal and of course Baxter will not ship.  So we are taking my daughter with us to help with this baggage.  To add insult to injury the airlines have cut their free baggage allowance to ONE (It was 2 last year for int'l flights). Will still probably have to pay for extra baggage!  So figuring that will be another $100usd (extra baggage) to the cost of traveling.  We are hoping that this much fluid will be able to go through security. 

Did you have any letters explaining the fluid?  Did you speak with security?  I am really concerned now, espcially after the underwear bomber episode.

  for any hints you can help us with.

Stan








EDITED:Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Moderator

[Goofy]

I called Baxter today because I will be traveling in the next few months. I was told there is no charge unless you are going to Alaska, Hawaii or out of the US. 

They also said they just changed the policy recently regarding travel to the names mentioned above but they don't "currently" charge for places within the US.

But that is here....US....not sure if its different in other countries.