I am curious if anyone here pays for a CGM out of pocket (particularly the Minimed one) and if so, what is the cost? The Minimed is the only one we have in Canada hence why I ask about it, and I don't use a MM pump so it would be the standalone one ...
I am just curious so am reluctant to go contacting any companies as I don't want sales people going after me, hence why I am asking here.
Is a CGM worth buying to only use occasionally? How much (roughly) would it cost to use continuously?
I am interested in getting trends from a CGM only, I don't really care about absolute accuracy or high/low warnings. We do have a CGM through our diabetes clinic that can be rented but there is a waiting list for it and it's only for a few days. I so often feel like having something I own that I could use every few weeks when things aren't making sense would be so beneficial! I already test 10x per day but there are times like right now where my overnight readings are going all over the place and I have been unable to fix them even waking up 2-3x per night. A CGM would be so helpful to see what is going on, I think.
I bought the Guardian out of pocket in 2008 and the Dexcom out of pocket in 2010. Both have policies that you can return it in the first month for a refund for the system but not be refunded for the sensors in the first month. I suggest buying a system that way and seeing what it's like for you.
Actually, I don't know if Minimed has different deals for Canadians than it does for Americans- you could call and ask. And the prices could be different too. Annual cost has a lot to do with how many sensors you use- how many days per sensor, and whether you use them continuously. Since Minimed's transmitter is warrantied for only six months, it also depends on if the transmitter makes it through the whole year or not.
The way that I use the sensors, annual cost for either system is about $3000/yr.
I did not stick with the Guardian largely because the sensors hurt all the time when I wore them, which is not a typical experience. I did like the receiver. I sometimes joke I wish I could use Dexcom sensors and use the Guardian receiver.
quote " I am just curious so am reluctant to go contacting any companies as I don't want sales people going after me, hence why I am asking here." ....call Medtronic toll free 1 -800-284-4416 , here in Canada and tell them not to call you , but you will call them after you have checked the costs ,suggestions etc.and made up your mind (or not) . I have never been bothered by any of the reps : Animas, Medtronic and Omnipod ...I have met them in person here in my town and at the CDA's Conference in Toronto this past October .I have found all of them very professional . I agree with Jonah ...costs are different in Canada . Enlite Sensor may be here sooner , than we think ???
I ordered 10 MM soft sensors from Libery a week or two ago. Out of curiosity I asked what they were priced without insurance. The answer was that 10 sensors costed $1,050. I am averaging 5 days a senso currently. So with my stats you would need 7 boxes of ten in one years time for $7,350 annually. This is not including the tranmitter or charger (a one time cost).
$418 for eight is not horrible. I would be willing to pay that to use sensors occasionally, especially if they could last a week. I may give Minimed a call and ask how much the transmitter/receiver bit would cost. I think I am going to ask my nurse at the diabetes clinic if they have a system I can use that would let me see the trends, as opposed to the iPro I used before (a few years ago) which recorded all the data but did not let me see it in real-time.
Note that the sensors (Minimed's sensors) expire quickly. You generally only have 3 months to use them from the time they ship, so it's not really possible to stretch out a box for, say, six months or so.
I have had sensors go over 6 months old and still worked fine. Only thing I gave found that if old they will not go into the 3rd cycle ( 7-9 days) I get from a new sensor.
I believe it is based on the type of storage and handling you use. I often order more then needed due to the horrible order to long delivery times and my business travel for extended times forces me to have inventory at my house.
You get 3 cycles out of yours???!!! Are they Minimed? I rarely get more than 4.5 days out of mine. I once got a full 6 days out of a sensor and jumped for joy... ;-)
I rarely get more than 4.5 days out of each sensor. I wonder if it has something to do with body chemistry because someone lower in this thread says he gets 3 cycles out of his, which would be unheard of for me.
I have both the mm sof sensor and the Dexcom 7 plus (US version). I am trying to get insurance coverage, but currently I pay out of pocket and live in Canada.
Dexcom costs 319 for a 4 pack and I typically get around 14 days per sensor.
MM cost 190 for a 4 pack and I usually get around 8 days per sensor.
The cost per day works out to be fairly similar, but the Dexcom is a far superior sensor in terms of accuracy, comfort and useability, I would suggest putting the extra effort in to getting the Dexcom from the US.
I don’t think that there are many people who end up using the CGMS occasionally. You either absolutely hate it and never use it or you get completely hooked and use it all the time.
My experience with the Medtronic system (2-1/2 years of fairly worthless results) would be to wait for the new Enlite system or figure out a way to get Dexcom.
