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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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Share your top 3 device combos with your friends, family, or diabetes care providers to get their advice or support. Or, send it to yourself for future reference!

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Overview

Sensor & Pump

Freestyle Libre 3 & Omnipod

Libre3Omnipod

The Freestyle Libre 3 is the smallest and thinnest sensor on the market. It 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.

*Libre 3 is the most current model, now the smallest sensor option, and doesn't require scanning. Libre 1 and 2 may still be available to you. Ask your provider.

Sensor & Smart Pump

Beta Bionics iLet

iLet

The Beta Bionics iLet system determines 100% of all insulin doses and requires very little input from the user.

  • iLet Pump + Dexcom Sensor 

Priority: Overall

Overall

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/en/resources/getting-treatment/qualify-for-insurance/ for more resources.

Questions for your Doctor

Freestyle Libre 3 & 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.

Beta Bionics iLet

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

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

Omnipod

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

1-800-591-3455 Omnipod Website

Dexcom G6

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

1-888-738 3646 Dexcom Website

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Flat sensor transmitter fits easily under active wear and sports gear
Don't need to find a place for pump in active wear
Unable to suspend insulin
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Pump is watertight

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

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
Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
You cannot give a correction dose of insulin
You cannot give additional insulin boluses when your blood glucose levels are high
Your blood glucose levels could rise above 250 mg/dl after Meal Announcement

Comfort Comfort

Lowest profile sensor
No tubing
Pods need more tape than other infusion sets
Have to carry supplies
Requires fewer parts than do-it-yourself systems

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
No carb counting required
Software makes most dosing decisions for you
You cannot program any insulin settings (no basal rates, correction factors or carb ratios)
You cannot enter carbohydrates into a bolus calculator or determine the amount of insulin to give for a meal.

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Sensor and transmitter are one piece
Few steps to change sensor
Fewer parts than tubed pumps
Very little info required for set up
You cannot change how the iLet is automating insulin delivery.

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only
Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only

Privacy Privacy

Sensor is the smallest
Most hideable pump option
Requires visible controller to bolus
No scanning required
Lowest profile sensor
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device

Cost & Coverage

Freestyle Libre 3

Freestyle Libre 3

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Sensors

Transmitter

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

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.

Startup $80 to $239

Monthly $35 to $105

These prices vary by Insurance. Many insurers support the G6 Dexcom. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

Omnipod

Omnipod

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pods

Reader

Insulin

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Startup $5 to $1260 Monthly

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