Insulin Pumps Different People, Different Needs... Get The Pump Best For You
You many be looking for greater flexibility in managing your diabetes. Consider the following scenarios. In each switching to insulin pump therapy could have an advantage. Mary is a 25-year-old elementary school teacher. She runs and swims to keep in shape. She has had type 1 diabetes for 20 years and injects insulin six times a day. Adam is an active three-year-old with type 1 diabetes. His parents are frustrated with his unpredictable appetite and eating habits. John is a 56-year-old carpet installer, with type 2 diabetes. His workload and schedule vary from day to day. On weekends, he is less active. He takes insulin four times a day. An insulin pump is a small, battery-powered microcomputer. It looks like a pager and is usually worn in a pocket, or clipped to a belt or waistband. The pump holds a syringe filled with rapid-acting insulin (Humalog™ or NovoRapid™). The syringe is attached to an infusion set, which is a thin plastic tubing with a small needle at the end. The needle is inserted into the fatty tissue below the skin, and then removed. This leaves a tiny, flexible plastic tube in place which must be changed every two to three days. The pump is programmed to deliver insulin continuously through this tube. A small dressing holds the infusion set in place. If you have discussed the option of an insulin pump with your diabetes specialist, you may be starting the search for the right pump. You, too, may be looking for greater flexibility in managing your diabetes. If so, you are likely asking yourself some questions. Which of the four pumps available in Canada should you buy? Which pump has the features you need and want? Do your research. An insulin pump is a major investment that you will use constantly for the next few years. Think about similarities and Continue reading >>
The Minimed 670g Automatic Glucose Monitor And Insulin Pump For Diabetes
Brand name: Minimed 670G System Device Generic Name: Automated Insulin Delivery System Device class: Insulin Pump Manufacturer: Medtronic FDA Approval date: September 28, 2016 On September 28th, 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration approved MiniMed 670G by Medtronic. It is the first FDA-approved device that automatically monitors glucose levels while providing an appropriate basal insulin dose in type 1 diabetics older than 14 years. What is the MiniMed 670G used to treat? MiniMed 670G is a hybrid closed looped system approved by the FDA to treat type 1 diabetes patients ages 14 years or older who require greater than 8 units of basal insulin per day. What is Minimed 670G and how does it work? MiniMed 670G has an integrated SmartGuard technology with an advanced algorithm to simplify and improve diabetes management. It enables greater glucose control with reduced user input. The system includes: the glucose sensor and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that measures the user’s glucose levels for up to seven days, an insulin pump that delivers insulin, and a glucose meter used for calibration The glucose sensor is inserted under the skin of the abdomen and it measures glucose values in the tissue fluid. The sensor measures blood glucose levels every 5 minutes (interval depends on settings) and the insulin pump automatically administers or withholds basal insulin depending on blood glucose levels and user selected insulin dosing rates. If the glucose level is higher than the preset normal range, then insulin will be delivered following the algorithm. If the glucose level is lower than the preset normal range, the device will withhold insulin administration. Although the device works automatically, the user can also` administer insulin manually to adjust for meals. Th Continue reading >>
Insulin Pumps
Not Just for Type 1 An estimated 350,000 people in the United States use insulin pumps today, and about 30,000 of those are believed to have Type 2 diabetes. Surprised? Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that causes many people who have it to eventually need to use insulin to control their blood glucose levels. Although many people still think insulin pumps are only for treatment of Type 1 diabetes, they can also be useful for some people with Type 2 diabetes. According to Charles H. Raine III, MD, a diabetologist in Orangeburg, South Carolina, who himself has Type 2 diabetes and uses an insulin pump, the criteria for a good pump candidate are the same, no matter what type of diabetes a person has. In general, a good pump candidate has uncontrolled blood glucose, but also has a desire to try for better control of his diabetes, is willing to measure and document food intake and blood glucose levels, and is physically, emotionally, and cognitively able to manage a pump (or has a caregiver who is). Another important characteristic is a willingness to keep appointments with members of his diabetes care team. Insulin pumps are cell-phone-size devices used to deliver preprogrammed and user-adjusted doses of insulin. Depending on the brand and model, they hold between 180 and 315 units of insulin. Most people use rapid-acting insulin — options include insulin lispro (brand name Humalog), insulin aspart (NovoLog), and insulin glulisine (Apidra) — in their pumps, with a few using Regular. Instead of using an intermediate- or long-acting insulin as a background — or basal — insulin, a user simulates the pancreas’s steady release of insulin by programming the pump to automatically give small amounts of the rapid-acting or Regular insulin around the clock, based on Continue reading >>
Soaring Insulin Prices Have Diabetics Feeling The Pain
Insulin price spike leads to lawsuitInsulin is fast becoming a medication that only the well-insured or well-heeled diabetic can afford. With the price of insulin more than tripling in a decade, some diabetics are having to make tough choices about how to pay for the medication. In some cases, diabetics are cutting back or even going without the drug. Many of the 26 million Americans with diabetes must use insulin daily to treat the disease, or else risk illnesses such as kidney failure and disabilities such as blindness. While American diabetics may have faced monthly costs of $100 to $200 several years ago, some are now grappling with costs of $400 to $500 per month. Insulin prices for American patients are far higher than in other countries, a recent survey of patients from the advocacy group T1International discovered. American diabetics said they pay $13.47 per milliliter for Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Humalog insulin, the highest price among the countries surveyed and about four times more than what Canadian diabetics pay. “People are suffering a lot,” said Allison Bailey, a college student in Iowa with Type 1 diabetes. “There are no generics. We have to go through these big companies, and they charge so much.” Bailey said she paid about $130 for several vials of Eli Lilly’s Humalog in 2010. This year, her insulin prescription has a price tag of about $495. She noted that she switched from using pump therapy in 2010 and now injects insulin with a pen, and that while the prices aren’t apples-to-apples, costs have overall sharply increased. She said she should go back to pump therapy, but she doesn’t believe she can afford it given the higher cost of insulin as well as the expense of a pump, which can cost more than $5,000. Others are also caught in a bind. B Continue reading >>
Financial Concerns About Insulin Pumps
Many concerns arise when patients consider the costs of insulin pump therapy. The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions: What is the cost of a pump? About $6,000 is the average price. How much of the cost will my insurance cover? Most insurance plans provide coverage for insulin pump therapy and diabetes testing supplies under a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) clause. Pump manufacturers’ insurance departments have the expertise to negotiate approval for payment with your insurance provider. If you have a co-payment, the manufacturer will set up a payment plan, if necessary. Medicare and Medicaid plans also provide coverage, but you should check with the plan administrator in your state. What is the cost of supplies? Monthly costs for intensive insulin pump management supplies can range from $250 to $500, depending on your insurance plan and on the frequency of site changes. Here are potential costs for 10 set changes per month (every three days): Needle set Approximately $6.90 per set $69 90-degree insertion cannula Depending on the brand, $10.83 per set or $13.50 per set $108.30 $135 30-degree insertion cannula $11 per set $110 Pump syringes $10 per month $37-$46 Sterile dressings and skin prep $10 per month Example: box of 50 IV prep wipes Some vendor cash prices can be 30%-50% less than billed list price. Ask about payment options and discounts. $32 (billed) $16 (cash) Insulin Depends on coverage/co-pay/amount used. Variable Test strips Minimum of four daily multiplied by cost per strip. Approximately .75 to $1.00 per strip. Usually covered by insurance. $3-$10 per day Prices shown are estimates only. Vendor and manufacturer prices vary and can change at any time. How can we save money on supplies? If you use sites and supplies beyond the recom Continue reading >>
Diabetes: Should I Get An Insulin Pump?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the facts Key points to remember An insulin pump can free you from a strict regimen of meals, sleep, and exercise, because you can program it to match your changing schedule. After you learn how to work with a pump, it can make living with diabetes easier. But it takes some time and effort to learn how to use the pump to keep it working properly and to control your diabetes. Using a pump includes checking your blood sugar many times a day and carefully counting the grams of carbohydrate that you eat. Using an insulin pump can keep your blood sugar at a more constant level so that you don't have as many big swings in your levels. People who use pumps have fewer problems with very low blood sugar. Many insurance companies cover the cost of insulin pumps, but they have strict guidelines that you will have to follow before they will pay. Continue reading >>
- How did I get fat? How did I get diabetes? How did I get so unhealthy?
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- Should I Get a Flu Shot if I Have Diabetes?
Even Small Medical Advances Can Mean Big Jumps In Bills
MEMPHIS — Catherine Hayley is saving up for an important purchase: an updated version of the tiny digital pump at her waist that delivers lifesaving insulin under her skin. Such devices, which tailor insulin dosing more precisely to the body’s needs, have transformed the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes like Ms. Hayley. But as diabetics live longer, healthier lives and worries fade about dreaded complications like heart attacks, kidney failure, amputations and blindness, they have been replaced by another preoccupation: soaring treatment costs. “It looks like a beeper,” said Ms. Hayley, a 36-year-old manager here for an environmental services company, referring to the vintage 2007 pump on the waistband of her jeans. “It’s made of plastic and runs on triple-A batteries, but it’s the most expensive thing I own, aside from my house.” A new model, along with related treatment supplies, prices out at tens of thousands of dollars for this year and will cost her about $5,000, even with top-notch insurance. “It’s great,” Ms. Hayley said, “but it all adds up.” Traditionally, insurers lost money by covering people with chronic illnesses, because they often ended up hospitalized with myriad complications as their diseases progressed. Today, the routine care costs of many chronic illnesses eclipse that of acute care because new treatments that keep patients well have become a multibillion-dollar business opportunity for device and drug makers and medical providers. The high price of new treatments for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and other chronic diseases contribute mightily to the United States’ $2.7 trillion annual health care bill. More than 1.5 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes and cannot survive without frequent insulin doses, s Continue reading >>
Medtronic, Insulet Lead Insulin Pump Market In Europe Fueled By Favorable Reimbursement Rates And Increased Adoption
Register to receive a free European Market Report Suite for Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment and Drug Delivery report synopsis and brochure According to a new series of reports on the European market for diabetes monitoring, treatment and drug delivery by iData Research, insulin patch pumps are growing in popularity due to a significantly lower initial purchase price, relative to traditional insulin pumps. The number of patch pump users is expected to continue to grow and gradually acquire significant market share in the total insulin pump market. The growth of the total traditional insulin pump market will be driven by increases in unit sales and limited by modest declines in average selling prices. “Unit sales are expected to grow in response to favorable reimbursement rates and greater adoption of pump usage in Europe,” explains Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData. “Recent clinical trials have shown evidence of superior health benefits in type 2 diabetic patients on pump therapy, relative to patients on multiple daily injections. These results will contribute to the growth of the pump market and increase the possibility of reimbursement for type 2 patients.” Differences in reimbursement policies will result in varying unit growth across regions in the European market. Regions with relatively low penetration rates, such as Spain and Portugal, are expected to experience higher growth than regions such as Germany, where pumps have an established market and the installed base is much larger. The insulin pump market penetration rates in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany and France are historically high, rates ranging from 15% to over 30%. Traditional pumps are sold with a warranty that covers a four year product lifespan. Due to the frequent technological advanceme Continue reading >>
What Is The Cost Of Insulin Pump Therapy?
WITH ELIGIBLE HOSPITAL INSURANCE YOU COULD GET COVERAGE FOR AN INSULIN PUMP If you’re living in Australia - the cost of the insulin pump is generally fully covered by your insurance provider depending on your level of hospital cover (assuming the appropriate waiting period has been served). In choosing the health fund that’s best for you, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the most expensive level of cover. If in doubt, check with your private health insurer for what is covered. If you or a family member has Insulin Dependent diabetes, you may be interested in the options available to manage the cost of insulin pump therapy: Do you have more questions on private health insurance? Read the FAQ on private health insurance Learn more about the Bridging the Gap Program , T2 Grants Program and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Deals Discover whether you are eligible for funding from the CGM Initiative Above costs are unique to insulin pump therapy vs multiple daily injections. Does not include additional costs related insulin, glucagon, test strips, wipes, and lancing devices. 1 Based on a Medtronic survey of the average cost of $3.28 per day for hospital policies with coverage for insulin pumps. Price of hospital policy is based on singles cover in NSW for a person under 65 years old, assumes no Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Base Tier Government Rebate included. The cost of the pump is generally covered by your insurance provider depending on your level of hospital cover. 2 Your credit card will be charged in two instalments. Make the first $375 payment on credit card, then six weeks after Guardian™ 2 Link and initial sensor box is shipped, the second $375 payment will be deducted and second box shipped. The CGM Protector Kit and associated products can only be Continue reading >>
Asknadia: Why Doesn’t Anyone Address The Huge Price Increase In Pumps Over The Last Decade
Dear Nadia: Why doesn’t anyone address the huge price increase in pumps over the last decade? For my original Medtronic Paradigm pump 10 years ago, my insurance, Kaiser, paid 80 percent, so my share was less than $1,000. Today, an equivalent model is between $7,000 and $8,000. Kaiser now only pays 50 percent. T he state of the art model with CGM is well over $10,000. My pump is well out of warranty. If/when it breaks down, I will not be able to afford a new one. My pump allowed me to achieve very good control and made it much easier to manage my diabetes. It will be a huge setback to return to multiple daily injections. Why, instead of the prices dropping as usually happens as new technologies come into greater use, pump prices quadrupled or increased even more? Timothy M. Dear Timothy: I have asked several pump companies about the increase in costs for insulin pumps over the last decade. No one has been able to give me a direct answer. The closet I have come to an answer in terms of what pumps cost, is at the European Association for the Studies of Diabetes (EASD) in Munich. Most common answer at the conference? “it depends on the governments contract.” The insulin pump companies negotiate on pricing with the European governments. If they agree on price, then “the cost to the patient is of no significance.” This was loudly echoed by every EASD insulin pump representatives that I spoke to. When you read “the United States subsidizes foreign nations socialized medicine”; they mean governments abroad pay a lower price for medical devices and medications than the United States government. The U.S. health insurance companies generally uses the U.S. governments acceptable re-reimbursement rate when pricing their plan benefits and co-payments. Since your co-paym Continue reading >>
An Overview Of Insulin Pumps And Glucose Sensors For The Generalist
Go to: 1. Introduction Diabetes is rapidly becoming a major health epidemic in most regions of the world [1]. All patients with type 1 diabetes and a significant number with type 2 diabetes require the use of insulin for controlling blood glucose. In the last 20 years, technological innovation and bioengineering has transformed the diabetes therapeutic landscape. There are several varieties of insulin and many different injection regimens that can be used. However, in spite of the availability of insulin vials and pens, the acceptability for patients and the glucose readings that are obtained with the use of single or multiple-dose injection regimens is not to the desired level. Insulin delivery with pumps, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), was introduced almost a half century ago. It utilizes short- or rapid-acting insulin types only, thus minimizing variability of administration and reducing the chances of glucose fluctuations. Pump technology has progressed to the level of precisely mimicking physiological demands. Programmable insulin administration in basal and bolus fashion is integrated and augmented with glucose biosensors to provide real-time, data-driven glycemic control and early detection of hypoglycemia. The prospect of a functional, closed-loop “artificial pancreas” with implantable or bionic capabilities is now within the realm of technological possibility in the near future. Continue reading >>
Insulin Pump Price
Did you get the best insulin pump price? What is the right insulin pump cost on a monthly basis? How do you get the best deal? It can be frustrating to find good information. The answer to these questions depends on your circumstances. Let’s take a look below. IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE Okay, so you want a pump, now here comes the tough part: The insulin pump price. Let’s talk about insurance first. If your doctor finds it medically necessary, and your insurance company accepts his opinion, then you get it for free! The insulin pump cost is nothing. Good stuff. Of course, this assumes there is no deductible associated with your policy. Wahoo! IF YOU DON’T HAVE INSURANCE Now let’s talk about the cost if you have no insurance. Hold on, brace yourself. The cost is approximately $6,000 for most pumps. It gets worse. The ongoing cost of running the pump each month can vary from about $150 to $300. Ouch! So, you don’t have insurance and you don’t have $6,000. What are your options? Most pump manufacturers and/or their suppliers do have programs where you can get the pump for a nominal cost, possibly for free. Why would they do that? You guessed it. They want your monthly maintenance business. Let’s say the cost of running your insulin pump is $225 a month. Take this amount and multiply it by 48 months (4 years) which is roughly the lifespan of the pump. This comes to $10,800. In order to get the lower price (or free) pump, you typically have to commit to purchase their supplies for the life of the pump. Is it wrong to compare this to a pusher who gives you the initial vile of crack cocaine for free, knowing he owns you and your drug habit for life? Yeah, it probably is wrong, but it is a little fun anyway! To see the Latest Insulin Pump Prices click on the link. OTHE Continue reading >>
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- Insulin Pump Therapy for Kids
- Comparative Effectiveness and Costs of Insulin Pump Therapy for Diabetes
How Much Do Diabetes Supplies/medications Cost In The U.s.?
While everyone’s diabetes treatment plan, medications, and technology may be different, there is one thing we can all agree on: diabetes is expensive. In two previous posts at The Perfect D, I gave some sense of what the bare minimum of care for a U.S. adult with Type 1 diabetes would be and also financial resources and programs to help with the financial burden of living with diabetes. However, this post is about how much it could cost an adult with Type 1 diabetes if they used the technology and medications that are currently out on the market (and thought of as “the latest and greatest”) and paid out of pocket with no insurance. Research on this topic has shown me that: 1) prices can fluctuate wildly, so it pays to shop around and 2) there is a very big gap (financially, medically, and technologically) between the bare minimum and “surviving” and actually utilizing the tools and latest technology that is out there. So, the hypothetical person for this exercise is a Type 1 adult in the United States who weighs 60kg, just like the other calculation post I did. Ground Rules These prices are accurate on the websites I have referenced for December 1, 2014. They may change, they may add shipping, they may not offer the services, technology, or drugs on their website after this is posted. These prices are not a guarantee. They are to be used as a reference. The listing of prices/websites on this post does not mean that I endorse the company or product or service. I have not listed all the products available on the market for people with Type 1 diabetes. I have listed major ones to give you an idea of major manufacturers’ costs for the products that are available for general public viewing. I did not call any companies and ask for pricing. Why? Because I believe Continue reading >>
Why Treating Diabetes Keeps Getting More Expensive
Laura Marston is one of the 1.25 million Americans who suffer from Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder in which a person's pancreas can't make insulin. She hoards vials of the life-saving medicine in her refrigerator to protect herself from the drug's rising prices. (Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post) At first, the researchers who discovered insulin agonized about whether to patent the drug at all. It was 1921, and the team of biochemists and physicians based in Toronto was troubled by the idea of profiting from a medicine that had such widespread human value, one that could transform diabetes from a death sentence into a manageable disease. Ultimately, they decided to file for a patent — and promptly sold it to the University of Toronto for $3, or $1 for each person listed. It was the best way, they believed, to ensure that no company would have a monopoly and patients would have affordable access to a safe, effective drug. “Above all, these were discoverers who were trying to do a great humanitarian thing,” said historian Michael Bliss, “and they hoped their discovery was a kind of gift to humanity.” But the drug also has become a gift to the pharmaceutical industry. A version of insulin that carried a list price of $17 a vial in 1997 is priced at $138 today. Another that launched two decades ago with a sticker price of $21 a vial has been increased to $255. [This 90-year-old fight over insulin royalties reveals just how much has changed in medicine] Seventy-five years after the original insulin patent expired — a point at which drug prices usually decline — three companies have made incremental improvements to insulin that generate new patents and profits, creating a family of modern insulins worth billions of dollars. The history of insulin captures Continue reading >>
Cost Of Insulin Pumps
Tweet Insulin pumps are costly items but may be possible to fund for some households. Those considering buying an insulin pump should consider not only the cost of the pump, including the monthly consumables, accessories and insurance but, importantly, how you will receive the required insulin pump centred care. Most people in the UK who have a pump have it funded by the NHS. If you have an insulin pump on the NHS, you may need to cover some of the costs which may include insurance, accessories and, in the case of some pumps, glucose sensors as well. Insulin pump costs The cost of insulin pumps is often between £2000 and £3000. NICE guidance in 2008 records the following costs of insulin pumps: Johnson & Johnson - Animas 2020 - £2600 Medtronic - Paradigm real-Time MMT-522 - £2750 Medtronic - Paradigm real-Time MMT-722 - £2750 Roche - Accu-Chek Spirit - £2375 Deltec Cozmo - £2750 Newer insulin pumps are now available but prices of most pumps have stayed within similar price boundaries. Where can I buy an insulin pump? In the UK, you will need to choose which insulin pump is right for you and then and contact the insulin pump manufacturer. If you do not meet the clinical criteria for having an insulin pump via the NHS and you wish to purchase an insulin pump, you will need to check whether your diabetes clinic is able to and happy to provide all the care you may need. Please note that you should not expect your NHS clinic to necessarily have the resources to cover the care for a patient with a pump bought privately, in which case you will need to arrange diabetes care with a private diabetologist that is qualified to care for people with insulin pumps. It’s important to arrange how you will receive care before you go ahead and purchase an insulin pump. If you are Continue reading >>
