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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 MiniMedâ„¢ 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.

  • MiniMedâ„¢ 780G pump + Guardianâ„¢ 4 Sensor with Guardianâ„¢ Link 4 transmitter (Guardianâ„¢ Sensor 3 with Guardianâ„¢ Link 3 transmitter)

Sensor & Smart Pump

Tandem Control-IQ System

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Control-IQ technology is an advanced hybrid closed-loop system that automatically adjusts insulin in response to predicted glucose levels to help increase time in the target range (70-180 mg/dL).

  • t:slim X2â„¢ insulin pump with Control-IQâ„¢ technology + Dexcom G6 & G7

The Tandem pump allows you to bolus directly from a compatible iOS or Android smartphone.

 

Priority: Overall

Overall
Reduce risk.
Keeps low blood sugar levels at bay.

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://www.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.

Tandem Control-IQ 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.

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

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

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

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
Pump is watertight
Sensor Share feature allows someone else to keep an eye on your blood sugar from the sidelines
Optional settings for exercise to adjust treatment ranges for activity with the press of a button

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
Combo will reduce or suspend insulin to prevent lows
Custom alerts can be set for highs, lows, and rapidly rising or falling glucose levels
Combo will increase insulin delivery to prevent high blood sugars

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
Tubed pumps have the most infusion sets to pick from
Low profile/low maintenance sensor
Smallest tubed pump

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
Combo will suspend insulin if it predicts you're going to go low
Can use sensor trends for dose adjustment
More customizable dosing than pens or syringes

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
Sensor integrated with multiple devices in case you change up what you're using
Rechargeable pump battery
Pump has touchscreen

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
Ability to check sugar on phone or watch
Alerts
Touchscreen of pump looks like normal tech device
Ability to bolus directly on compatible smartphone

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

Tandem t:slim X2

Tandem t:slim X2

Insulin Dosing Supplies

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Pump

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sets

Pump

Charger

Insulin Cartridges

Infusion Sites

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.

Startup $5 to $6,995

Monthly $20 to $200