I have had my Vibe only since Feb. 2016. If I keep my pump for the required warranty under the Assisted Devices Program I won’t be eligible for a new one til 2021. There will be no tech support from Animas. I like the looks of the Tandem TSlim.I would need to opt out of my warranty early but Animas said I can’t do that. What do I do?
@Dee_Meloche
Which ever pump you have decided you prefer based on the technology - try calling THAT pump company and ask them what they can do to help you out.
So if you like Tandem then call Tandem Customer Support. Explain your particular situation, your concerns and what you want. Give them (Tandem) the opportunity to try and make it work for you.
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The t:slim isn’t in Canada yet, but I would still call them and let them know you’re interested.
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The only problem is that I am in Canada and Tandem isn"t coming to Canada til 2018. Their pumps are in milligrams per deciliter. If I wait for Tandem I will be without customer support for a while.
Animas is continuing to provide full support (although perhaps not enthusiastic support) through September of 2019.
Assuming Tandem is selling pumps in Canada at some point in 2018, you would certainly be able to discuss your options with Tandem at that point. (I have no insight as to how long approvals take in Canada.)
However like @Jen says, really no downside to calling Tandem now and at least having a chat with them.
It sounds like you have time to consider your options and would not need to rush anything.
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That is so true. I saw the Tandem tslim on a utube video and I liked what I saw. Although carb counting keeps my brain active I like the idea of a tap to input your numbers and blood sugars and add it up on the screen. No more adding mistakes.No more scrolling and going past the number then having to cycle back. What a pain! I like that it is so small. I am willing to wait when Tandem comes to Canada before I get my new one. I am really disappointed that Animas is kinda making us choose a Medtronic pump and the downgraded version at most.
I’m not sure if everyone got this, but I got a letter from one of my contacts at Animas outlining the options for new pumps in Canada (since mine is not under warranty). In the letter, both Medtronic and Omnipod were mentioned, so at least in that case, they were making me aware of all options even if they are officially suggesting Medtronic (and apparently Medtronic is the one who will take over distribution of supplies at some point, possibly before 2019).
@Jen
Although we are no longer using the Animas Ping, we still got THE LETTER here in the US. No mention of alternatives such as Tandem or Omnipod were mentioned.
First sentence of their closing paragraph of the letter:
“Our number one priority is ensuring you have a seamless experience and continuity of case as you transition to Medtronic.”
Yeah - Thanks for that.
IMHO, a very large number of people have picked Animas SPECIFICALLY because they did not want Medtronic. The people who wanted Medtronic - well - (surprise) - they went with Medtronic !!!
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Yeah, my physical letter had that same sentence. Not sure why I also got an e-mail that did mention OmniPod as an option (just in one setence about the other pump companies in Canada, though).
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I am going on a cruise in less than a month, specally Nov 25. We have a few water excursions. Instead of risking my pump getting ruined I think I will disconnect for the time I’m in water.As there will be no vacation pump.
It would be nice if Tandem offered their Canadian customers to switch to a Tandem for the remainder of their warranty when they come to Canada I am already wishing I had the Tandem tslim based on what I saw in a video.
Tandem has released some additional details on their plans for Canada. A mix of good and bad depending on your perspective.
We expect our 2018 sales will include sales from our planned international expansion in select geographies, including Canada, in the second half of 2018. Unlike our approach domestically, with the exception of Canada, we currently plan to partner with distributors who will carry out the selling efforts, as well as the service and support of customers in geographies outside the United States. Currently, we anticipate having a direct sales and clinical infrastructure in Canada beginning in 2018, with customer support and services shared with our domestic organization.
During the fourth quarter of 2017 we completed both the self-assessment and the third-party assessment of our operations by a Notified Body. Based on the outcome of those assessments, we anticipate receiving CE marking of our existing products in the first half of 2018, and beginning the commercialization of products outside the United States in the second half of 2018. The timing of our international launch will remain dependent on other activities, including our completion of appropriate translations for our products and associated materials, software updates to our pump products to allow for alternative units of measurement and a 24 hour clock, our ability to commence manufacturing of our products for use outside the United States, and our entering into distribution agreements with third party distributors in the relevant geographies. During 2018 we also intend to begin direct commercial activities in Canada. Marketing our products in Canada requires regulatory approval of our products from Health Canada. We intend to file for regulatory approval of our products in Canada during the first half of 2018, subject to our completion of software updates to our pump products to allow for alternative units of measurement.
Yes, and I was one of them. I have the feeling that the 90,000 Animas pump users were somehow passed on (sold?) to Medtronics in exchange for supplies and some customer service continuity. I am not happy and am also looking at Tandem.
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@Willow4
Tandem has a pump simulator you can download and run from your phone if you want to get a better idea of the pump interface.
Here’s the latest news from Tandem Diabetes; good luck!
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).