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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 & Injections

Dexcom G6 & Syringe

DexcomSyringe v3

The Dexcom G6 is relatively low maintenance and low profile.

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.

Priority: Overall

Overall
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://diabeteswise.org/resources/getting-treatment/qualify-for-insurance/ for more resources.

Questions for your Doctor

Dexcom G6 & 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.

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!

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

Dexcom G6

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

1-888-738 3646 Dexcom Website

Syringe and Vial

Understand your cost at your local pharmacy.

Insulin Cost Overview

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

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Sensor Share feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
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

Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day
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

Comfort Comfort

Low profile/low maintenance sensor
Have to carry syringes and insulin
Lowest profile sensor
Have to carry pens and pen needles

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

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

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor integrated with multiple devices in case you change up what you're using
Many steps to figure out doses and deliver insulin every single time you need it
Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Alerts
Syringes are hideable when not in use but very visible when in use
Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Pens are low profile

Cost & Coverage

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6

Freestyle Libre 2

Freestyle Libre 2

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Transmitter

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Sensors

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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.

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.

Syringe and Vial

Syringe and Vial

Bigfoot Unity

Bigfoot Unity

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Syringe ~$30 (Monthly)

Insulin $5 to $500 (Monthly)

Pen caps
Needles 
Sensors 
Test strips 
Lancets 
Alcohol swabs

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

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

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