Medical Encyclopedia
Will my insurance cover the cost of an insulin pump?
Depending upon your individual insurance policy most plans will cover one insulin pump about every four years. Pump supplies may also be covered under durable medical goods.
Be sure you understand your policy coverage limitations -- a new pump costs about $6,000 and supplies can range anywhere from $150 to $350 per month.
Insulin Pump
Definition: An insulin pump is a small device about the size of a large cell phone that houses insulin in a cartridge. The pump is connected via tubing and a cannula to the patient. The cannula is inserted under the skin and worn for up to three days before having to be changed. Insulin is delivered (infused) through the tubing and cannula.
Insulin pumps have very similar features but they are not all equal. All newer model pumps have memory storage for the amount of insulin given as well as for assistance in carbs and calculating the right amount of insulin. All pumps also now have basal rate programs as well as dual wave bolus features. With dual wave bolusing you can either give insulin all at once for a meal, or over an extended period of time.
Almost exclusively, the type of insulin used in an insulin pump to cover both basal and bolus insulin is rapid insulin. For those with allergies to buffering agents in NPH (intermediate-acting) insulin an insulin pump may be an ideal solution to covering basal rates without having to endure multiple daily injections (MDIs) of only rapid insulin.
One pump made by MiniMed offers continuous glucose monitoring. In the future, it is anticipated that other pump manufacturers may also offer this feature.
The OmniPod Insulin Management System is not an insulin pump but does closely mimic the infusion mechanism that insulin pumps offer and costs less than a pump. Another option for those who hate the sting of daily shots but are not ready to switch to an insulin pump may be the Insuflon i-port.
An insulin pump can be tucked in a pocket, a pump pouch, worn on a belt or under the clothes. None are truly waterproof but some are water resistant.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for using an insulin pump. Be sure to talk with your doctor about pumping to get all the facts.