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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 & Pen

FreestylePen

If you don't like having stuff on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Freestyle Libre is the thinnest sensor. Some pens have the ability to track insulin doses on a smartphone.

Sensor & Injections

Medtronic Sensor & Medtronic InPen

MedtronicPen v3

If you don't like having more than one device on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Medtronic Sensor connects to the Medtronic InPen to track blood sugar and insulin doses on a smartphone.

Priority: Overall

Overall
Small and mighty.
One thing at a time.

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 & Pen

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.

Medtronic Sensor & Medtronic InPen

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.

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

Insulin Pen

Ask your provider about a insulin pen prescription. Learn which is covered.

Insulin Pen Overview

Guardian Connect

Call Medtronic and ask them about how much it will cost with your insurance coverage. Talk to your Doctor to get a prescription.

1-800-646 4633 Medtronic Website

Medtronic InPen

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic 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
Sensor Connect feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines
No way to adjust long acting insulin for higher activity on the fly

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
Sensor can alert you to a low before it happens
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day
Allows for dosing half units

Comfort Comfort

Lowest profile sensor
Have to carry pens and pen needles
Medtronic sensors need more tape than other sensors
Have to carry pens and pen needles

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
App can help estimate carbs based on meal size
Creates a digital logbook that can be shared your healthcare team

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
Sensor transmitter is rechargeable
Most steps to change sensor
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes
Smart pen lasts a full year with no need to charge

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Pens are low profile
Sensor requires regular meter use
Ability to see blood sugar on phone
Pens are low profile

Cost & Coverage

Freestyle Libre 2

Freestyle Libre 2

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Sensors

Transmitter

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 $69 to $206

Monthly $32 to $97

These prices vary by Insurance. If you call Medtronic they will start a process to check exactly how much your costs will be. Generally Medtronic pumps and sensors are covered by private insurance and medicare. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

Insulin Pen

Insulin Pen

Medtronic InPen

Medtronic InPen

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pen (thats it!)

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Monthly $5 to $1260

The total cost depends on the amount of pens you use which is dependent on how much insulin you use.

Monthly $5 to $1260

The total cost depends on the amount of pens you use which is dependent on how much insulin you use.