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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

Freestyle Libre 3 & Afrezza

afrezza libresensor3 v3

If you don't like having stuff on your body but want glucose data at a glance, the Freestyle Libre is the smallest sensor option.  Paired with the Afrezza inhaler, this is one of the most discreet combinations. 

*Libre 3 is the most current model, now with alerts. Libre 1 and 2 may still be available to you. Ask your provider.

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.

Freestyle Libre 3 & Afrezza

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.

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

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

Freestyle Libre 3

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

1-855-632 8658 Freestyle Libre 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
Flat sensor transmitter fits easily under active wear and sports gear
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
Faster and easier to check your glucose with this sensor versus with a meter

Comfort Comfort

Have to carry meter supplies
Smallest tubed pump
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Lowest profile sensor
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 and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Inhalers are faster and easier to use than injections

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Requires visible blood
Pump has tubing
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device
Ability to bolus directly on compatible smartphone
No scanning required
Inhalers are hideable when not in use

Cost & Coverage

Meter

Meter

Freestyle Libre 3

Freestyle Libre 3

Glucose Testing Supplies

Meter & Fingerpricker (1 time purchase)

Strips & Supplies

Sensors

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 $0 to $130
Monthly$0 to $70
Prices will vary based on insurance coverage. If you don't have any coverage this is the cheapest sensor.

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.