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New to insulin pump therapy? Here are the basics
I transitioned from multiple daily injections to insulin pump therapy over two decades ago, and I never looked back. This method of diabetes management has granted me more flexibility in meal timing and carbohydrate quantities, and it also means I need fewer injections — which is always a plus.
There's plenty of data to back up the benefits of insulin pump therapy beyond my personal anecdotes. Studies such as the one from the American Diabetes Association have shown that this type of therapy helps "maintain tight glycemic control and prevent diabetes complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease."
Insulin pump companies are also exploring new ways to further improve the patient experience, including equipping pumps with smarter algorithms. These algorithms, paired with a compatible continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM), can automatically adjust insulin delivery or suspension. Adding this new layer of capability can dramatically improve time in range and A1C as well as enhance quality of life for those of us living with the disease.
Now that you know the benefits of insulin pump therapy, let's look at the logistics.
Components of an insulin pump system
There are two main types of insulin pump systems: tubed and tubeless.
The more traditional "tubed" insulin pump system consists of an electronic insulin pump device with an insulin reservoir and a "site" located on the patient. A tube connects the two and can be quickly disconnected at the site whenever the patient needs to remove the insulin pump.
Tubeless insulin pumps co-locate the insulin reservoir directly at the patient's site. The site and insulin reservoir are waterproof and deliver the insulin based on inputs from a separate, wireless device. This wireless device includes all of the patient's pump settings and can transmit bolus information directly to a receiver located in the "pod" attached to the patient's body.
Insurance coverage
Insurance companies have seen the benefits insulin pump therapy can provide to people with type 1 diabetes (t1d). Your endocrinologist or diabetes educator may be a good source to ask about the process of obtaining insurance coverage for an insulin pump system. They can help guide you through your research to find the right system and assist with filling out the necessary medical paperwork.
You can also call your insurance provider directly to find out the specific coverage costs and pricing. These systems can be expensive, so it's important to determine the upfront and month-to-month costs beforehand. This can help you best plan when to incorporate insulin pump therapy into your diabetes management suite.
The most common systems
Each insulin pump system has its pros and cons. I've included a few considerations I've found most important as a user, but you can find more detailed descriptions and information on the products' company websites.
- Traditional, tubed insulin pump system with a rechargeable battery
- Includes the Control-IQ technology, which integrates with the Dexcom G6 CGM sensor to automatically adjust insulin delivery/suspension
- FDA approved for users as young as 6 years old
- User/patient is able to update the pump when new software is approved and released
- Traditional, tubed insulin pump system with an AA battery
- Includes SmartGuard technology, which integrates with the Guardian Sensor 3 CGM sensor to automatically adjust insulin delivery/suspension
- FDA approved for users 14 years old and older
- Waterproof
- Tubeless insulin pump system that includes a separate Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) to administer boluses
- PDM uses AAA batteries
- Can be used by anyone who requires insulin to manage diabetes
- The PDM must be within five feet of the user to send an insulin bolus — basal insulin is administered without the PDM in range
Once you've decided on an insulin pump system, you can set up a ContinuCare order through Edgepark so you don't run out of supplies.
Interested in learning more about CGM systems and insulin pumps? Here are some best practices for incorporating a sensor and insulin pump into your diabetes management.
