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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

Eversense & Omnipod

EversenseOmnipod v3

The Eversense sensor is implanted under the skin, so you can be discrete when needed. Having a sensor and Omnipod pump, you have good info for how to make dosing decisions.

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

Sensor & Injections

Freestyle Libre 14 day & Syringe

FreestyleSyringe 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. Syringe and vial insulin delivery is the most affordable option.

*The Freestyle Libre 14 day can be manually scanned to get data only when you want it. 

Priority: Overall

Overall
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

Eversense & 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.

Freestyle Libre 14 day & Syringe

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.

Is the Freestyle Libre waterproof?

Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 metre (3 feet) of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.

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

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

Omnipod

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

1-800-591-3455 Omnipod Website

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

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

1-855-632 8658 Freestyle Libre Website

Syringe and Vial

Understand your cost at your local pharmacy.

Insulin Cost Overview

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Because the sensor is under your skin, it won't get dislodged if it gets bumped
Don't need to find a place for pump in active wear
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

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
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
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
No sensor alerts

Comfort Comfort

Longest lasting sensor
Sensor needs to be changed by your doctor
No tubing
Pods need more tape than other infusion sets
Lowest profile sensor
Have to carry syringes and insulin

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

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
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
You have to do the math to figure out your dose

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor transmitter must be charged every day
Sensor changes far less often than other types, but your doctor must do it
Fewer parts than tubed pumps
Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Many steps to figure out doses and deliver insulin every single time you need it

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

Ability to see sugar on watch or phone
Sensor not movable on body
Sensor requires regular meter use
Most hideable pump option
Requires visible controller to bolus
Needs scan from phone or controller to get blood sugar
Sensor is the smallest
Syringes are hideable when not in use but very visible when in use

Cost & Coverage

Eversense

Eversense

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Freestyle Libre 14 Day

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors
Transmitter (1 time purchase & Rechargeable)

Sensors

Reader (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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.

Widely covered. Provided by pharmacies. Price range; $0-$100/month. Often the cheapest and easier to access sensor.

Omnipod

Omnipod

Syringe and Vial

Syringe and Vial

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pods

Reader

Insulin

Syringe ~$30 (Monthly)

Insulin $5 to $500 (Monthly)

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Startup $5 to $1260 Monthly

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

The total amount depends hugely on how much insulin you use and what your insurance covers.