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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

Medtronic Sensor & Medtronic InPen

MedtronicPen v3

If you don't like having more than one device on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Medtronic Sensor connects to the Medtronic InPen to track blood sugar and insulin doses on a smartphone.

Sensor & Pump

Eversense & Tandem

EversenseTandem 1

The Eversense sensor is implanted under the skin, so you can be discrete when needed. Paired with the Tandem pump, you have the ability to easily dose your insulin as needed. The Tandem pump also allows you to bolus directly from a compatible iOS or Android smartphone.

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

 

Priority: Overall

Overall
One thing at a time.
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

Medtronic Sensor & Medtronic InPen

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 & Tandem

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.

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

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 InPen

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic Website

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

Tandem t:slim X2

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

1-877-801-6901 Tandem Website

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Sensor Connect feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines
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
Optional settings for exercise to adjust treatment ranges for activity with the press of a button
Don't need to find a place for pump in active wear

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Sensor can alert you to a low before it happens
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day
Allows for dosing half units
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

Comfort Comfort

Medtronic sensors need more tape than other sensors
Have to carry pens and pen needles
Longest lasting sensor
Sensor needs to be changed by your doctor
Smallest tubed pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More precise dosing than syringes
App can help estimate carbs based on meal size
Creates a digital logbook that can be shared your healthcare team
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor transmitter is rechargeable
Most steps to change sensor
Pens are faster and easier to use than syringes
Smart pen lasts a full year with no need to charge
Sensor transmitter must be charged every day
Sensor changes far less often than other types, but your doctor must do it
Rechargeable pump battery
Pump has touchscreen

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Daily fingersticks needed to calibrate sensor
Daily fingersticks needed to calibrate sensor

Privacy Privacy

Sensor requires regular meter use
Ability to see blood sugar on phone
Pens are low profile
Ability to see sugar on watch or phone
Sensor not movable on body
Sensor requires regular meter use
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device
Ability to bolus directly on compatible smartphone

Cost & Coverage

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Eversense

Eversense

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Transmitter

Sensors
Transmitter (1 time purchase & Rechargeable)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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.

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.

Medtronic InPen

Medtronic InPen

Tandem t:slim X2

Tandem t:slim X2

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Charger

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sites

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.

Startup $5 to $6,995

Monthly $20 to $200