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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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Overview

Sensor & Injections

Dexcom G7 & Syringe

Dexcom7Syringe v3

The Dexcom G7 is low maintenance and low profile.

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

Dexcom G7 & 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.

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.

Talk to the device companies

Dexcom G7

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

1-888-738 3646 Dexcom Website

Syringe and Vial

Understand your cost at your local pharmacy.

Insulin Cost Overview

Additional Resources

By Priorities

Active Lifestyle Active Lifestyle

Sensor Share feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment

Avoiding Highs and Lows Avoiding Highs and Lows

Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
Syringes and pens limit your ability to adjust insulin throughout the day

Comfort Comfort

Low profile/low maintenance sensor
Have to carry syringes and insulin
Shortest sensor warm-up time
Sensor and transmitter are one piece

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

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

Easy to Use Easy to Use

Many steps to figure out doses and deliver insulin every single time you need it
12-hour grace period allows you to swap sensors when convenient for you

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

Factory-calibrated sensor: fingersticks needed for backup only

Privacy Privacy

Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Alerts
Syringes are hideable when not in use but very visible when in use
Small sensor

Cost & Coverage

Dexcom G7

Dexcom G7

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Receiver (1-time purchase) - not required 

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup $80 to $239

Monthly less than $40

These prices vary by Insurance. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

Syringe and Vial

Syringe and Vial

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Syringe ~$30 (Monthly)

Insulin $5 to $500 (Monthly)

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

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