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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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Share your top 3 device combos with your friends, family, or diabetes care providers to get their advice or support. Or, send it to yourself for future reference!

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

Overview

Sensor & Injections

FreeStyle Libre 2 & Bigfoot Unity

illo bigfoot unity v2

Bigfoot Unity is a smart insulin dosing system comprised of Bigfoot smartpen caps (for short- and long-acting insulin pens), Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM, a mobile app, and a blood glucose meter made by AgaMatrix.

Unity provides recommendations for both short- and rapid-acting insulin doses. Both pen caps have screens that display slightly different information, including blood glucose level (you can scan your Libre 2 with the pen cap to see your mg/dl!), timing of last dose, and recommended doses.

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

FreeStyle Libre 2 & Bigfoot Unity

Is the Freestyle Libre waterproof?

Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 metre (3 feet) of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.

How do I order supplies?

Participating in the Bigfoot Unity program requires an agreement between Bigfoot Biomedical and your health care provider. Ask your doctor if they are contracted with Bigfoot Unity!

Beta Bionics iLet

More on how to Talk to your Doctor

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.

Get the Guide for Talking to your Insurance

Talk to the device companies

Freestyle Libre 2

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

1-855-632 8658 Freestyle Libre Website

Bigfoot Unity

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

551-244-3668 Bigfoot Unity 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

Flat sensor transmitter fits easily under active wear and sports gear
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

Faster and easier to check your glucose with this sensor versus with a meter
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day
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

Lowest profile sensor
Have to carry pens and pen needles
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
More precise dosing than syringes
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More precise dosing than syringes
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 and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes
Very little info required for set up
You cannot change how the iLet is automating insulin delivery.

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only
Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only

Privacy Privacy

Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Pens are low profile
Lowest profile sensor
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device

Cost & Coverage

Freestyle Libre 2

Freestyle Libre 2

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Sensors

Transmitter

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup $200 to $404
Monthly $108 to $321
Libre 2 is covered by Medicare and most private insurers. Prices will vary based on coverage. If you don't have any coverage, this is the cheapest sensor.

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.

Bigfoot Unity

Bigfoot Unity

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pen caps
Needles 
Sensors 
Test strips 
Lancets 
Alcohol swabs

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Monthly mail-order package includes all the supplies needed, for a regular subscription price or insurance-covered copay with no upfront costs.