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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 & Smart Pump

Medtronic 780G Smart Systems

MedtronicMedtronic v4

The Medtronic 780G hybrid closed loop systems adjust your basal insulin levels up and down based on predicted glucose levels

  • 780G: MiniMed 700 series pump + Guardian Sensor 3

Sensor & Smart Pump

Medtronic 780G Smart System

Medtronic780G v4

The MiniMed™ 780G hybrid closed-loop system adjusts your basal insulin levels based on personalized glucose targets (as low as 100 mg/dL). This system automatically corrects highs if carb counts are miscalculated or bolus is occasionally missed.

  • MiniMed™ 780G pump + Guardian™ 4 Sensor with Guardian™ Link 4 transmitter (Guardian™ Sensor 3 with Guardian™ Link 3 transmitter)

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: Easy Insulin Dosing

Easy Insulin Dosing
Automatically adjusts insulin to reach one of two preset targets
Will automatically revert to manual mode in certain situations
Automatically adjusts insulin to reach targets you set
Meal detection technology will automatically adjust and correct sugar levels every 5 minutes
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.

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

Medtronic 780G Smart Systems

How does a smart system work?

Automated insulin delivery systems usually have three parts: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump, and an algorithm, which is the brain. It makes many dosing decisions for you with less button pushing. The system senses your blood sugar level and adjusts insulin delivery automatically.

Medtronic 780G Smart System

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 does a smart system work?

Automated insulin delivery systems usually have three parts: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump, and an algorithm, which is the brain. It makes many dosing decisions for you with less button pushing. The system senses your blood sugar level and adjusts insulin delivery automatically.

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

Guardian Connect

Call Medtronic and ask them about how much it will cost with your insurance coverage. Talk to your Doctor to get a prescription.

1-800-646 4633 Medtronic Website

Medtronic 630G

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic Website

Guardian Connect

Call Medtronic and ask them about how much it will cost with your insurance coverage. Talk to your Doctor to get a prescription.

1-800-646 4633 Medtronic Website

Medtronic 630G

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

1-888-350-5440 Medtronic 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

Can increase blood sugar target during activity
System responds to blood sugar changes during activity automatically
Pump is watertight
Can increase blood sugar target during activity
System responds to blood sugar changes during activity automatically
Pump is watertight
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

System automatically increases or decreases insulin delivery to try to meet one of two fixed blood sugar targets
Automatic insulin delivery settings are not adjustable
Automatically adjusts insulin to reach targets you set
Auto bolus feature automatically corrects high blood sugar
Pump delivers correction doses if carb counts entered are not exact
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

Medtronic sensors need more tape than other sensors
No extra device to carry (no RileyLink)
Largest pump
Medtronic sensors need more tape than other sensors
No extra device to carry (no RileyLink)
Largest pump
Longest wear infusion set available, up to 7 days
Have to carry supplies
Requires fewer parts than do-it-yourself systems

Easy Insulin Dosing Easy Insulin Dosing

Automatically adjusts insulin to reach one of two preset targets
Will automatically revert to manual mode in certain situations
Automatically adjusts insulin to reach targets you set
Meal detection technology will automatically adjust and correct sugar levels every 5 minutes
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

Software makes many dosing decisions for you
Can be difficult to keep automatic insulin dosing features working
Requires fewer parts than do-it-yourself systems
Software makes many dosing decisions for you
Requires fewer parts than do-it-yourself systems
Easier to keep automatic insulin dosing features working
Very little info required for set up
You cannot change how the iLet is automating insulin delivery.

Fewer Fingersticks Fewer Fingersticks

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

Privacy Privacy

System needs regular meter use
Pump has tubing
Alerts
Needs frequent attention
Pump has tubing
Alerts
Ability to see blood sugar on phone and smartwatch
Lowest profile sensor
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device

Wisdom

I really don't like having to wear two sites, but i love that my pump tailors my basal rate.

Entering numbers in the pump is much easier for me than the daily injections.

"After using the system for 4 months, my A1c has decreased, which is a plus for me."

Cost & Coverage

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Guardian Connect

Dexcom G6

Dexcom G6

Glucose Testing Supplies

Sensors

Transmitter

Sensors

Transmitter

Sensors

Transmitter

Receiver (1 time purchase)

Glucose Testing Cost Estimate

Startup $69 to $206

Monthly $32 to $97

These prices vary by Insurance. If you call Medtronic they will start a process to check exactly how much your costs will be. Generally Medtronic pumps and sensors are covered by private insurance and medicare. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

Startup $69 to $206

Monthly $32 to $97

These prices vary by Insurance. If you call Medtronic they will start a process to check exactly how much your costs will be. Generally Medtronic pumps and sensors are covered by private insurance and medicare. It may be covered under durable medical goods or a pharmacy benefit.

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.

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Medtronic 630G

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Insulin Dosing Cost Estimate

Widely covered for insulin-dependent type 1 and type 2. Pump can be provided by pharmacy, DME, or directly through Medtronic Diabetes. Price range; $0-$8,574 to start and $0-$300/Month. Price range varies depending on insurance coverage.

Widely covered for insulin-dependent type 1 and type 2. Pump can be provided by pharmacy, DME, or directly through Medtronic Diabetes. Price range; $0-$8,574 to start and $0-$300/Month. Price range varies depending on insurance coverage.