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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

Eversense & Medtronic Pump

EversenseMedtronic 1

The Eversense sensor is implanted under the skin, so you can be discrete when needed. Paired with the Medtronic pump, you have the ability to easily dose your insulin as needed.

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
Data and dosing on the fly.

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

Eversense & 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

Eversense

Either call the phone number here to ask about getting started or fill out the form that is linked here to get started.

1-844-736 7348 Eversense 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

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

Because the sensor is under your skin, it won't get dislodged if it gets bumped
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

Only sensor that vibrates on your skin to alert for high or low blood sugars; alerts work even when smart phone isn't close by
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

Longest lasting sensor
Sensor needs to be changed by your doctor
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

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
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

Sensor transmitter must be charged every day
Sensor changes far less often than other types, but your doctor must do it
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

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

Privacy Privacy

Ability to see sugar on watch or phone
Sensor not movable on body
Sensor requires regular meter use
Pump has tubing
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

Eversense

Eversense

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors
Transmitter (1 time purchase & Rechargeable)

Sensors

Reader (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup Bridge Program $99.

This is a trial program and there are eligibility requirements that should be considered prior.

Eversense is covered by select insurers, including Cigna and Medicare.

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.