Good advice about the insurance! I’ve been thinking about that. It would make sense they either cover the meter and strips or a CGM and since I just refilled the strips, I doubt they will cover a CGM until 90 days out. I will call them to verify.
Honestly, where you’re sitting, I would forget about G6 and just focus on the G7. The G6 is excellent, but “old” technology that is getting phased out. There’s no reason to get attached to it now. The G7 brings forward the best of what G6 has, but is smaller, has fewer parts to manage, is more accurate, has a shorter warmup time, and runs for a bonus 12 hours so you can change it whenever it’s convenient. The only reason to consider the G6 is if you want to try and get the Mobi in November, and you said you’re willing to be patient if you choose that pump
, so that’s a moot point.
With every CGM system, you need something that gathers the data (sensor), something that beams that data through the air (transmitter), and a computer with a screen that grabs onto that beamed data and displays it to you (receiver, phone, or insulin pump). With the G7, the sensor and transmitter are combined into one piece, now called just a sensor. There’s only one consumable item that needs to be ordered and applied, the sensor, and you throw it away at the end of 10 days. There’s no screen, though, so you need at least one more device. The G7 will connect to 3 different devices, and you can choose to use 1, 2, or 3 of them. You can choose between using your phone with the Dexcom app installed on it (yes, it works with iPhone), a compatible insulin pump, a compatible watch, and/or the receiver that Dexcom sells. You don’t HAVE to have the receiver, but you can if you want to, or if your insurance requires it. Even if you have it, you don’t have to use it. The receiver is basically just a mobile phone that is built to run Dexcom and do absolutely nothing else. It’s something else to carry and keep track of, but because it’s purpose built, it has a very reliable connection to the sensor. The problem with phones is that they like to turn off apps running in the background, unbeknownst to you, to save battery life, so you risk not getting an alert if you go high or low when the app isn’t working right. That’s a relatively low risk risk, though, since there are ways to make phones behave.
There’s really no reason to wait to get a CGM either. CGMs are often referred to as the second best thing to ever happen for diabetes, just after us getting insulin. The American Diabetes Association is a big proponent of them because they’re proven to improve outcomes and reduce risks associated with hypoglycemia. If I were you, I’d start pursuing the G7 now, then you’ll be all situated and comfortable with the technology when it comes time to make your next pump decision.
I’ve only focused on Dexcom’s G7 because you mentioned Dexcom being your doctor’s preference. There are a few other options on the market like Eversense (works for six months, but still requires fingersticks and isn’t compatible with insulin pumps for automatic insulin adjustments) and Freestyle Libre (quite similar to Dexcom G7), if you want to explore your options.
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The Mobi works pretty much the same as the tslim just no pump screen. I use the t connect ap. And I bolus from t connect sometimes. That’s what’s where we will be bolusing with the mobi. It’s not complicated really.
Thank you, Robyn. That clears it up for me.
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With a CGM you will still need strips just a lot less of them. I have a prescription for 100 strips / 90 days but I probably only use 1 or 2 strips a week.
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My insurance covers both the Dexcom and up to 200 strips/month. Both are covered through pharmacy benefits. For me, the Dexcom (and Medtronic Guardian sensors) work well but they can be off by a lot on the first day, so I do test frequently then. Once I’ve calibrated it several times and it’s where it needs to be I test at most once a day. I often go days without testing. But I definitely do need to keep strips on hand.
Well, I’m on Medicare and I’m sure their rules are more stringent than private insurance. I will check but was told that they don’t cover both strips and CGM. It’s either/or. If necessary, I will pay out-of-pocket for the strips, especially since I won’t need as many.
I doubt if my Medicare plan will pay for both CGM and strips but I will check.
I’m on Medicare and they pay for mine.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2016 at age 60. Within 3 months, I had a tandem t:slim pump and a month after that I had Dexcom CGM. Currently I have Tandem T:slim with control IQ and Dexcom G6. I have always been happy with these devices. My HbA1c is typically 5.4-5.6. The main adjustment has been to get all the settings right regarding basal rates primarily. My basal rates range from 0.1 to 0.675 depending upon the time of day.
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You are doing great! Don’t be overwhelmed. There’s lots of help upgrading. I have been diabetic for 51 years. I’ve only been on Medtronic pumps since the 90s. The newest 780G is blowing my mind! You use it with their G4CGM and you’ll hardly have to do finger sticks very much. The pump practically does everything. I’m sleeping all night without highs or lows. I’m using 10% less insulin than I was a month ago. I cannot say enough wonderful things about it!
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I inquired about this early on when it wasn’t clear that the G7 would have a stand-alone receiver (problem for Medicare). But I was told the TandemX2 itself is acceptable as a receiver under the meaning of the requirement.
Thank you so much for your response and good information! The more I’m learning, the less stressful it feels.
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You come to the right place.
Hi there! Decisions, decisions! I had the same worry that learning new procedures would confuse me majorly. Lemme tell ya—it does NOT! It has simplified my diabetic life in all ways (Type I 55 years!). I have Tandem and Dexcomm. There is no need for finger sticking. Lots of people use their phones to communicate with the Dexcomm, but I use the pump itself. They talk even if I don’t listen, lol! Dexcomm tells my if I’m high or low according to the limits I set. Tells me to charge, change my site, etc. I have two sites, one for insulin and one for Dexcomm. Dexcomm lasts 10 days, the pump until it runs out. I charge the whole thing via USB about every other day. The newer Tandems have Control IQ, which will increase or decrease my nasal rate. I’ve only had that a few months, but it’s really cool and easy—not like I feared at all. The “pokers” are super painless and auto inject themselves. In the summer (Texas), I cover the sites with a stretchy patch that peels off when I change sets (I work outdoors a lot and can sweat them off). I can bathe and swim, and detach the pump tubing for a while if I want. I don’t need to use any of the glue-down liquids. The Dexcomm 7 is about to come out, but I forget what’s new about it. Good luck, I know you’ll love it!
Thank you so much for your positivity and encouragement, Dottie!! You make it all sound so simple. I’ve been so busy lately but next week I’m going to call my insurance to discuss what is covered and when. That way at least I’ll be moving in the right direction with a plan. I’m glad your system is working well for you. I think I’ll do things the way you are. I’m not crazy about using my phone for any of it. The battery wears down too fast the way it is.
I feel like I’m the only one who likes and still uses Medtronic. I recently upgraded to the 780 but still using the g3 sensors. When I can get the g4 I won’t have to do blood sugars anymore and no calibrations. I can say my data is fantastic using the g3. I hit my first 100% day in range a few days ago.
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I used several Medtronic pumps, last one was a 523 paradigm with dexcom. Now using Tandem X2, with dexcom integration CIQ.
Heres a review of both Medtronic and Tandem
Thank you, Sam! That is a lot of good information to think over and process.
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