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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

Meter & Injections

Meter & Pen

MeterPen v3

This combo is simple, reliable, and incognito.

Sensor & Inhaler

Dexcom G6 & Afrezza

afrezza and dexcom v3

If you don't like having stuff on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Dexcom G6 comes factory-calibrated and requires no finger stick. Paired with the Afrezza inhaler, this is one of the more discreet combinations. 

Priority: Overall

Overall
Convenient. Discreet.

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 & 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.

Dexcom G6 & Afrezza

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.

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

Insulin Pen

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

Insulin Pen Overview

Dexcom G6

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

1-888-738 3646 Dexcom Website

Afrezza

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

1-844-323-7399 Afrezza Website

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Must pause activity to check blood sugar
No way to adjust long acting insulin for higher activity on the fly
Sensor Share feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Meters don't give as much blood sugar data as sensors do
This combo requires a high level of engagement and effort to avoid highs and lows
Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
Inhalers are less precise than injections

Comfort Comfort

Have to carry supplies
Nothing on your body
Low profile/low maintenance sensor
Have to carry inhaler and cartridges

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

You have to do the math to figure out your dose
More precise dosing than syringes
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment

Easy to Use Easy to Use

No info on blood sugar trends
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes
Sensor integrated with multiple devices in case you change up what you're using
Inhalers are faster and easier to use than injections

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Pens and meters are hideable when not in use but visible when in use
Requires visible blood
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Alerts
Inhalers are hideable when not in use

Cost & Coverage

Meter

Meter

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6

Glucose Testing Supplies

Meter & Fingerpricker (1 time purchase)

Strips & Supplies

Sensors

Transmitter

Receiver (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.

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.

Insulin Pen

Insulin Pen

Afrezza

Afrezza

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pen (thats it!)

Inhaler & Cartridges (Monthly) 

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.

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