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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

Meter & Pump

Meter & Tandem

MeterTandem

The Tandem pump allows you to bolus directly from a compatible iOS or Android smartphone, is rechargeable, has a touch screen, and can be updated on your home computer.

Sensor & Inhaler

Eversense & Afrezza

afrezza and eversense

The Eversense is implanted under the skin, so you can hide your devices easier. 

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

Priority: Overall

Overall
Updates without waiting.

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

Meter & 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.

Eversense & 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

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

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

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

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

Must pause activity to check blood sugar
Optional settings for exercise to adjust treatment ranges for activity with the press of a button
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

Meters don't give as much blood sugar data as sensors do
Pumps allow different amounts of basal insulin at different times of day and very precise dosing
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
Inhalers are less precise than injections

Comfort Comfort

Have to carry meter supplies
Smallest tubed pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Longest lasting sensor
Sensor needs to be changed by your doctor
Have to carry inhaler and cartridges

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Bolus calculator available to help figure out doses
Offers smallest increments of basal insulin delivery
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
Inhalers are less precise than injections

Easy to Use Easy to Use

No info on blood sugar trends
Rechargeable pump battery
Pump has touchscreen
Sensor transmitter must be recharged every day
Inhalers are faster and easier to use than injections
Sensor changes far less often than other types, but your doctor must do it

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Frequent fingersticks are unavoidable
Daily fingersticks needed to calibrate sensor

Privacy Privacy

Requires visible blood
Pump has tubing
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device
Ability to bolus directly on compatible smartphone
Ability to see sugar on watch or phone
Sensor not movable on body
Inhalers are hideable when not in use

Cost & Coverage

Meter

Meter

Eversense

Eversense

Glucose Testing Supplies

Meter & Fingerpricker (1 time purchase)

Strips & Supplies

Sensors
Transmitter (1 time purchase & Rechargeable)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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.

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.

Tandem t:slim X2

Tandem t:slim X2

Afrezza

Afrezza

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Charger

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sites

Inhaler & Cartridges (Monthly) 

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Startup $5 to $6,995

Monthly $20 to $200

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