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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

Medtronic Sensor & Medtronic Pump

MedtronicMedtronic 2

The Medtronic sensor and pump communicate with each other, so there's no need to keep track of a separate sensor receiver.

Sensor & Pump

Freestyle Libre 2 & Omnipod

FreestyleOmnipod v3

The Freestyle Libre 2 can alert you when you are high and low. You get data only when you want it. This combo is great for active people because it's waterproof and tubeless.

Priority: Overall

Overall
A perfect match.
Tubeless data and dosing.

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 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 2 & Omnipod

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 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 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

Omnipod

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

1-800-591-3455 Omnipod 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
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
Don't need to find a place for pump in active wear

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Combo will reduce or suspend insulin to prevent lows
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
Pods stay on when showering and swimming so there are no gaps in insulin delivery
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
Largest pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Lowest profile sensor
No tubing
Pods need more tape than other infusion sets

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
Combo will suspend insulin if it predicts you're going to go low
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
No interruption in insulin delivery (pods stay on when you shower and swim)
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor transmitter is rechargeable
Most steps to change sensor
Supplies for this pump are the most widely available
Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Fewer parts than tubed pumps

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Sensor requires regular meter use
Pump has tubing
Ability to see blood sugar on phone and smartwatch
Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Most hideable pump option
Requires visible controller to bolus

Cost & Coverage

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Freestyle Libre 2

Freestyle Libre 2

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Transmitter

Sensors

Receiver (1 time purchase)

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 $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.

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Omnipod

Omnipod

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Pods

Reader

Insulin

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.

Startup $5 to $1260 Monthly

Omnipod is now covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as most private insurers.