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Diabetes Device Choices

This is a personalized report of your diabetes device recommendations and choices. This report is a guide not a clinical recommendation. It's a guide based on your input, the best advice from Standford and the first hand knowledge of the T1 Community at DiabetesWise.org.

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Disclaimer: All prices are in USD and are estimates only.

Overview

Sensor & Inhaler

Eversense & Afrezza

afrezza and eversense

The Eversense is implanted under the skin, so you can hide your devices easier. 

*You will need an iPhone to use the Eversense sensor.

Sensor & Smart Pump

Beta Bionics iLet

iLet

The Beta Bionics iLet system determines 100% of all insulin doses and requires very little input from the user.

  • iLet Pump + Dexcom Sensor 

Priority: Overall

Overall

Next Steps Next Steps

You're going to do great on the devices you choose

1.
Talk to your provider

Talk to your provider to get a prescription. Advocate for yourself with a list of reasons why you believe it is best for your lifestyle.

2.
Call the device companies

Talk to the device companies about the device you want and if your insurance will cover it. They can help with this.

3.
Call your insurance

Many insurance companies require documentation of different qualifications before approving diabetes device coverage. every insurance company is different but some common qualifications include checking your blood sugar 4-6 times per day or having frequent low blood sugars. Understanding what qualifications are necessary for device coverage before starting the approval process can make things a lot easier.

Visit https://study.diabeteswise.org/resources/getting-treatment/qualify-for-insurance/ for more resources.

Questions for your Doctor

Eversense & Afrezza

Can I try this before I commit to it?

A lot of provider offices have sample devices you can touch and feel to get a sense of how they work. Some offices even have a trial device you can use for week to see how it works for you.

How can I get insurance approval for Afrezza?

If you have health insurance: visit Beyond Type 1 for more information on how your provider can send a prescription to the pharmacy that Mannkind works closely with, UBC Pharmacy: 

UBC Pharmacy LLC
4700 N Hanley Rd Ste B
Saint Louis, MO 63134
NPI: 1962978858
Fax: 866-750-9260
Phone: 844-323-7399

Anyone in the United States can use this pharmacy to fill an Afrezza prescription. 

If you don't have health insurance: visit Beyond Type 1 for more information on Mannkind's patient assistance program

For more information on cost: visit Mannkind - Paying for Your Afrezza.

Beta Bionics iLet

Questions for your insurance

Many insurance companies require documentation of different qualifications before approving diabetes device coverage. Every insurance company is different, but some common qualifications include checking your blood sugar 4-6 times per day or having frequent low blood sugars. Understanding what qualifications are necessary for device coverage before starting the approval process can make things a lot easier.

Talk to the device companies

Eversense

Either call the phone number here to ask about getting started or fill out the form that is linked here to get started.

1-844-736 7348 Eversense Website

Afrezza

Call MannKind and ask them about your coverage. Talk to your Doctor to get a prescription.

1-844-323-7399 Afrezza Website

Dexcom G6

Call Dexcom and ask them about your coverage. Talk to your Doctor to get a prescription.

1-888-738 3646 Dexcom Website

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Because the sensor is under your skin, it won't get dislodged if it gets bumped
No way to adjust long acting insulin for higher activity on the fly
Unable to suspend insulin
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Pump is watertight

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Only sensor that vibrates on your skin to alert for high or low blood sugars; alerts work even when smart phone isn't close by
Inhalers are less precise than injections
Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
You cannot give a correction dose of insulin
You cannot give additional insulin boluses when your blood glucose levels are high
Your blood glucose levels could rise above 250 mg/dl after Meal Announcement

Comfort Comfort

Longest lasting sensor
Sensor needs to be changed by your doctor
Have to carry inhaler and cartridges
Have to carry supplies
Requires fewer parts than do-it-yourself systems

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
Inhalers are less precise than injections
No carb counting required
Software makes most dosing decisions for you
You cannot program any insulin settings (no basal rates, correction factors or carb ratios)
You cannot enter carbohydrates into a bolus calculator or determine the amount of insulin to give for a meal.

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor transmitter must be recharged every day
Inhalers are faster and easier to use than injections
Sensor changes far less often than other types, but your doctor must do it
Very little info required for set up
You cannot change how the iLet is automating insulin delivery.

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Daily fingersticks needed to calibrate sensor
Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only

Privacy Privacy

Ability to see sugar on watch or phone
Sensor not movable on body
Inhalers are hideable when not in use
Lowest profile sensor
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device

Cost & Coverage

Eversense

Eversense

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors
Transmitter (1 time purchase & Rechargeable)

Sensors

Transmitter

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup Bridge Program $99.

This is a trial program and there are eligibility requirements that should be considered prior.

Eversense is covered by select insurers, including Cigna and Medicare.

Startup $80 to $239

Monthly $35 to $105

These prices vary by Insurance. Many insurers support the G6 Dexcom. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

Afrezza

Afrezza

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Inhaler & Cartridges (Monthly) 

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Widely covered. Price range; 0-$99/month depending on insurance coverage. $35/month for medicare and commercial insurance plans.