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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

Freestyle Libre 2 & Pen

FreestylePen

If you don't like having stuff on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Freestyle Libre is the thinnest sensor. Some pens have the ability to track insulin doses on a smartphone.

Sensor & Injections

Eversense & Pen

EversensePen v3

The Eversense is implanted under the skin, so you can hide your devices easier. Some pens have the ability to track insulin doses on a smart phone.

*You will need an iPhone to use the Eversense sensor.

Priority: Overall

Overall
Small and mighty.
Glucose data incognito

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 2 & Pen

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.

Eversense & Pen

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.

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

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

Insulin Pen

Ask your provider about a insulin pen prescription. Learn which is covered.

Insulin Pen Overview

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

Insulin Pen

Ask your provider about a insulin pen prescription. Learn which is covered.

Insulin Pen Overview

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Flat sensor transmitter fits easily under active wear and sports gear
No way to adjust long acting insulin for higher activity on the fly
Because the sensor is under your skin, it won't get dislodged if it gets bumped
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
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day
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
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day

Comfort Comfort

Lowest profile sensor
Have to carry pens and pen needles
Longest lasting sensor
Sensor needs to be changed by your doctor
Have to carry pens and pen needles

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

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 and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes
Sensor transmitter must be recharged every day
Sensor changes far less often than other types, but your doctor must do it
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Pens are low profile
Pens are low profile
Ability to see sugar on watch or phone
Sensor not movable on body

Cost & Coverage

Freestyle Libre 2

Freestyle Libre 2

Eversense

Eversense

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Sensors
Transmitter (1 time purchase & Rechargeable)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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.

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.

Insulin Pen

Insulin Pen

Insulin Pen

Insulin Pen

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pen (thats it!)

Pen (thats it!)

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Monthly $5 to $1260

The total cost depends on the amount of pens you use which is dependent on how much insulin you use.

Monthly $5 to $1260

The total cost depends on the amount of pens you use which is dependent on how much insulin you use.