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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

Meter & Pump

Meter & Medtronic Pump

MeterMedtronic

The Medtronic pump is covered by most insurance and has the ability to communicate with a Contour meter.

Sensor & Injections

Freestyle Libre 14 day & Syringe

FreestyleSyringe v3

If you don't like having stuff on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Freestyle Libre is the smallest sensor option. Syringe and vial insulin delivery is the most affordable option.

*The Freestyle Libre 14 day can be manually scanned to get data only when you want it. 

Priority: Overall

Overall
Talk to me.

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

Meter & Medtronic Pump

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.

Freestyle Libre 14 day & Syringe

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.

Is the Freestyle Libre waterproof?

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

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

Meter

Because there are so many options, and they don't have huge differences - the best thing to do is see what options your insurance companies will cover. The best way to find that out is through your doctor.

Walgreens

Medtronic 630G

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic Website

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

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

1-855-632 8658 Freestyle Libre Website

Syringe and Vial

Understand your cost at your local pharmacy.

Insulin Cost Overview

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Must pause activity to check blood sugar
Optional settings for exercise to adjust treatment ranges for activity with the press of a button
Flat sensor transmitter fits easily under active wear and sports gear
No way to adjust long acting insulin for higher activity on the fly

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Meters don't give as much blood sugar data as sensors do
Pumps allow different amounts of basal insulin at different times of day and very precise dosing
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
No sensor alerts

Comfort Comfort

Have to carry meter supplies
Largest pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Lowest profile sensor
Have to carry syringes and insulin

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Bolus calculator available to help figure out doses
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
You have to do the math to figure out your dose

Easy to Use Easy to Use

No info on blood sugar trends
Supplies for this pump are the most widely available
Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Many steps to figure out doses and deliver insulin every single time you need it

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Frequent fingersticks are unavoidable
Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only

Privacy Privacy

Pump has tubing
Largest pump
Requires visible blood
Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Sensor is the smallest
Syringes are hideable when not in use but very visible when in use

Cost & Coverage

Meter

Meter

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Glucose Testing Supplies

Meter & Fingerpricker (1 time purchase)

Strips & Supplies

Sensors

Reader (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup $0 to $60

Monthly $100

There are lots of different meters out there. It's worth seeing which are covered by insurance - they will cover some of the cost of the strips. Often your doctor can give you a meter for free, worth asking.

Widely covered. Provided by pharmacies. Price range; $0-$100/month. Often the cheapest and easier to access sensor.

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Syringe and Vial

Syringe and Vial

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Syringe ~$30 (Monthly)

Insulin $5 to $500 (Monthly)

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Widely covered for insulin-dependent type 1 and type 2. Pump can be provided by pharmacy, DME, or directly through Medtronic Diabetes. Price range; $0-$8,574 to start and $0-$300/Month. Price range varies depending on insurance coverage.

The total amount depends hugely on how much insulin you use and what your insurance covers.