When I first found out Animas was getting out of the pump business I thought I wanted to get a Tandem tslim, but they aren’t even in Canada yet. Then I thought about it some more and now think I wouldn’t mind having a Medtronic as they seem to have the latest and greatest in technology.
My concern in switching is buying enough supplies when I do not know when the Medtronic 630 pump will be sent out. I doubt it they are returnable. For ones already been through this, how long does the switchover take and what did you do about supplies?
Do I understand this correctly - the cgm is built in so you don’t need the Dexcom? I have seen where some people still use the Medtronic 630 and a Dexcom. Any advice? My receiver and/or transmitter will probably “expire” before then.
The enlite 2 and guardian 3 receivers are the pump. One still needs the sensor and transmitter. I suggest ordering sensors ASAP before the intended switch over and then hoarding (I am a natural hoarder anyway, so that was not a big deal), your Dexcom supplies. Medtronic sensors are 6 or 7 days fixed, so it is easier to to long on Dexcom then go short on Medtronic supplies during the transition.
Note:
I am a Medtronic Ambassador. My opinions are my own. They did not pay me to say nice things. OK, they sent me a shirt and a cup but even I am more expensive than that.
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Hi,
Don’t give up, Tandem is coming to Canada! See here;
Commercial launch of the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump in Canada planned for 2H 2018
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tandem Diabetes Care®, Inc. (NASDAQ:TNDM), a medical device company and manufacturer of the only touchscreen insulin pumps, today announced its submission of a medical device license application to Health Canada to market its t:slim X2™ Insulin Pump with Dexcom G5® Mobile continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) integration1. The Company plans to launch the pump in Canada in the second half of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals.
“This application is another important step toward achieving our strategic goal of bringing the benefits of the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump to people outside of the United States,” said Kim Blickenstaff, President and CEO of Tandem Diabetes Care. “When available, the t:slim X2 will provide people in Canada a competitive choice in the durable insulin pump market, which we believe will be of particular interest as the only pump with Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM integration.”
The Company anticipates that the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump offered in Canada will be capable of displaying both English and French, offer a 24-hour clock, and will display glucose readings in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
If Medtronic doesn’t get enough of a kickback from insurance they won’t give you the 670 g. I have the 630 which is nothing like my ping. On top of that I need to find a Sil-Serter as they don’t give you one and my insurance doesn’t cover it.
With regards to supplies. Set it up with your supply company what pump you will be getting and what sets you use. I told them I like the ones with the little window so I can see if the inset went in. They knew exactly the sets I would need for the medtronic 630. When you know the pump is going to be shipped, call the supply company or you can have them ship supplies early. I think there are some supplies in the pump kit but only one and 25 testing strips. My educator gave me some to get me through. I wish however I’d gone with a tandem. But I’m stuck.
Yes, I knew about Tandem coming to Canada but, I am concerned that I will be without any tech support should any issues come up with my animas vibe.I wish I knew exactly when they were coming Canada as I really like the idea of being able to add up my carbs on the pump itself. I am also concerned about the security of tandem.
@Dee_Meloche
You should have gotten a letter concerning the warranty and support on your Animas Vibe pump. We also received one here in the US for the Animas Ping although we no longer use it.
If I recall, the Animas warranty (and support) was running until September of 2019. One would assume in Canada with the Vibe you have the same date?
Tandem plans to have an approval and be distributing Tandem pumps in Canada during the second half of this year, 2018. Tandem is planning to use its US operations for distribution and support as opposed to going through 3rd parties or distributors (which will be their European model).
If you have decided that you do want a Tandem pump and if your Animas Vibe warranty lasts until September of 2019 then perhaps you could just bide your time and see if Tandem truly does follow through on its promises?
Note that Tandem did submit its application for a license to market to Health Canada for the Tandem t:slim X2 pump on February 20 of this year (2018) so by all accounts, this is really in the works and is not simply smoke and mirrors.
= = = =
BTW - what did you mean by:
I could assume multiple things from here so did not want to assume one and reply on it.
I would run fast and far from Medtronic - based on my wife’s experience - she still has the pump but she found the sensors useless, inaccurate and expensive - I also had a billing nightmare that took a year to resolve - I will not get into name calling, but if they had the only device that would save my life I would rather die.
So September 2019 is when animas won’t cover their pumps anymore? My pump is funded by the Ontarian government. I wonder if I could switch then even though I won’t be eligible til 2021 under the government.
This is the date I received on the US letter. Certainly possible you could have a different date in Canada. What does your letter say? I assume you also received a letter?
I remember something about Sept 2019 in the letter. I didn’t bother to keep it.
It’s the same date for both US and Canada - September 30th, 2019 - that our existing Animas pumps will be covered under warranty (by Animas) and that supplies will be available (via Medtronic). After September 30th, 2019 Animas will no longer support the pump and supplies will no longer be available unless there is stock remaining.
If your pump is funded by the Ontario government and doesn’t get replaced until after this date it’s planned that you’ll transition to a Medtronic 630g for the remainder of the period. Unless the Ontario ADP program makes a separate announcement saying otherwise, this is the current plan.
I’ve also received a letter from Dexcom regarding the transition, in essence saying ‘we’re still usable even without your Animas pump!’ They probably could have saved the marketing dollars. 
I Got an email from medtronic stating all the stipulations on receiving a 630g.insulin pump.My warranty will be transfered over to the minimed for the remainder of my Vibe pump.They said I would get an email in about 6 weeks.
They are coming this summer. visit their website for a demo of the only touchscreen technology that you can download everytime they put out a new pump instead of waiting 4 or 5 years
they want the pump too