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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 & Pump

Dexcom G7 & Medtronic Pump

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The Dexcom G7 sensor alerts you when you are high or low, and can be connected to your smart phone. The Medtronic pump is a sturdy and reliable device.

Sensor & Smart Pump

Medtronic 780G Smart System

Medtronic780G v4

The MiniMed™ 780G hybrid closed-loop system adjusts your basal insulin levels based on personalized glucose targets (as low as 100 mg/dL). This system automatically corrects highs if carb counts are miscalculated or bolus is occasionally missed.

  • MiniMed 780G pump + Guardian 4 Sensor with Guardian™ Link 4 transmitter (Guardian™ Sensor 3 with Guardian™ Link 3 transmitter)

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

Questions for your Doctor

Dexcom G7 & 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.

Medtronic 780G Smart System

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.

How does a smart system work?

Automated insulin delivery systems usually have three parts: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump, and an algorithm, which is the brain. It makes many dosing decisions for you with less button pushing. The system senses your blood sugar level and adjusts insulin delivery automatically.

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.

Talk to the device companies

Dexcom G7

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

1-888-738 3646 Dexcom Website

Medtronic 630G

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic Website

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 630G

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

Sensor Share feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines
Can increase blood sugar target during activity
System responds to blood sugar changes during activity automatically
Pump is watertight

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
Pumps allow different amounts of basal insulin at different times of day and very precise dosing
Automatically adjusts insulin to reach targets you set
Auto bolus feature automatically corrects high blood sugar
Pump delivers correction doses if carb counts entered are not exact

Comfort Comfort

Low profile/low maintenance sensor
Largest pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Few steps to change sensor
Medtronic sensors need more tape than other sensors
No extra device to carry (no RileyLink)
Largest pump
Longest wear infusion set available, up to 7 days

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes
Automatically adjusts insulin to reach targets you set
Meal detection technology will automatically adjust and correct sugar levels every 5 minutes

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Supplies for this pump are the most widely available
Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Shortest sensor warm-up time
12-hour grace period allows you to swap sensors when convenient for you
Software makes many dosing decisions for you
Requires fewer parts than do-it-yourself systems
Easier to keep automatic insulin dosing features working

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
Pump has tubing
Pump has tubing
Alerts
Ability to see blood sugar on phone and smartwatch

Cost & Coverage

Dexcom G7

Dexcom G7

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Receiver (1-time purchase) - not required 

Sensors

Transmitter

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup $80 to $239

Monthly less than $40

These prices vary by Insurance. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

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.

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

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.

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.