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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

Freestyle Libre 14 day & Medtronic Pump

FreestyleMedtronic

These devices do not connect, but they each have their merits. The Freestyle Libre 14 days can be scanned for blood glucose readings with a reader or smartphone. You get data only when you want it. The Medtronic pump is sturdy and efficient.

Sensor & Inhaler

Dexcom G7 & Afrezza

Dexcom7Afrezza v3

If you don't like having stuff on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Dexcom G7 comes factory-calibrated and requires no finger stick. Paired with the Afrezza inhaler, this is one of the more discreet combinations. 

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

Freestyle Libre 14 day & 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.

Dexcom G7 & 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

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

Medtronic 630G

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic Website

Dexcom G7

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

Flat sensor transmitter fits easily under active wear and sports gear
Optional settings for exercise to adjust treatment ranges for activity with the press of a button
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

Faster and easier to check your glucose with this sensor versus with a meter
Pumps allow different amounts of basal insulin at different times of day and very precise dosing
No sensor alerts
Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
Inhalers are less precise than injections

Comfort Comfort

Lowest profile sensor
Largest pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Low profile/low maintenance sensor
Have to carry inhaler and cartridges
Few steps to change sensor

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More precise dosing than pens or syringes
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Supplies for this pump are the most widely available
Inhalers are faster and easier to use than injections
Shortest sensor warm-up time
12-hour grace period allows you to swap sensors when convenient for you

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Sensor is the smallest
Pump has tubing
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Alerts
Inhalers are hideable when not in use

Cost & Coverage

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Dexcom G7

Dexcom G7

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Reader (1 time purchase)

Sensors

Receiver (1-time purchase) - not required 

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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

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.

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Afrezza

Afrezza

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Inhaler & Cartridges (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.

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