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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.

Meter & Inhaler

Meter & Afrezza

afrezza meter

This combo is simple and incognito.

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.

Meter & Afrezza

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 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

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

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
Must pause activity to check blood sugar
No way to adjust long acting insulin for higher activity on the fly

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
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
Inhalers are less precise than injections

Comfort Comfort

Lowest profile sensor
Largest pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Have to carry supplies
Nothing on your body

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More precise dosing than pens or syringes
You have to do the math to figure out your dose
Inhalers are less precise than injections

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
No info on blood sugar trends
Inhalers are faster and easier to use than injections

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Sensor is the smallest
Pump has tubing
Inhalers and meters are hideable when not in use but visible when in use
Meter requires visible blood

Cost & Coverage

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Meter

Meter

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Reader (1 time purchase)

Meter & Fingerpricker (1 time purchase)

Strips & Supplies

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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

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.

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.