Hi Folks - I am moving to Canada from the US in the next month or so and was wondering how easy it is to get supplies from Dexcom or how easy to get the new G4? Has anyone have any recent experience?
thanks!
We don't have Dexcom in Canada :(
Dexcom will only be available in Canada when the next Animas pump is approved. The Pump and CGMS will be integrated the same way as in the Medtronic. It may be possible for you to use the existing US version of the stand-alone Dexcom by driving across the border to Bellingham for supplies. You might have difficulty in having them mailed to Canada. I don't know of anybody doing this, but if you are serious it might be worth investigating. I doubt if any Canadian Insurer would pay for the sensors. A lot of people seem content with the Medtronic CGMS and improved versions are becoming available. This seems to be a better option.
Kinda bummed about this, I had talked to a dexcom rep awhile back and she said it was possible. Maybe I will need to try medtronic or wait until the new animas pump is approved, that will be great!
Another option would be to either use a post office or a pharmacy in Point Roberts, WA as a base for your supplies. It's an easy drive from Vancouver especially at week ends.
I would not switch from the G4 to the medtronic CGMS it would be like going back to the stone age. The sensor inserters are 22 gauge as compared with 26 gauge, the sensors themselves are good for 3-4 days as compared with 7+ days and the accuracy of the G4 is pretty much unmatched. Also the sensor wire itself is so much bigger in the medtronic.I hope you can find a US pharmacy that distributes to northern Washington state as that seems to be what you will have to do to get Dexcom products luckily they will ship 3 months worth of sensors at a time so you won't have to make too many trips to the pharmacy.
I use MM sensors and do not agree, that the sensor is painful ...I have a high sense of pain ( as my Hubby claims ) ...I have read : one would need a Doctor's contact in the US ??? ...I have no comparison to using dexcom , but to totally discount Medtronic sensor in my mind is questionable ...NO coverage by Extended Health Plans in Canada .
I actually do have something to compare it with as I used the medtronic system during the summer and it felt like a harpoon sticking in me as compared with the G4 sensor that I am now comfortably wearing every day. The Animas pump company and Dexcom are supposed to be collaborating on a CGM/Pump combo which if accepted in Canada would make it possible for Bram to get both. But IMHO if the only available CGM was the one made by MM I would not be using it.
You are fortunate Clare , that you can choose :) ...the reason I can't compare , cause I am a Canadian gal and far too far from the US border ...we all have our own reasons , so be it
To top it off Bram is moving to my country :) !!
Yes Nel I did realize that from his post and yes you are absolutely right, I count myself as extremely lucky that I do in fact have the opportunity to choose and compare various CGM's and I mostly discount the MM sensor and CGM because of what I have read on here from many people and also because it was really awful to insert and wear. But as I said it was IMHO.
Yeah, I was thinking about doing that. I just got approved today for the new dexcom G4 and and super excited, but dont know if I will have coverage for the sensors or if I will be able to get them from Canada.
Hi Clare - well I got approved by my insurance here for a new dexcom before I move, but i will need to figure out how to get sensors. I think I will need to have some sort of dr. in the US and have them shipped to PO box in US or something. Only downside is that I think it would all be out of pocket.
Hi Bram, congrats on getting approved for the new G4, it is a remarkable piece of technology in my opinion, and I have been very pleased since I first got mine in early November. If they don't ship to Canada, then I guess a PO box and/or doctor in the US is what you will have to do. And having it pay out of pocket definitely sucks, I am fortunate in that my insurance company picks up the entire cost and I have not paid a cent for anything so far. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop but so far so good.