Medical Encyclopedia
Will insurance cover the cost of an OmniPod?
Depending upon your individual insurance plan this device, which is cheaper than an insulin pump, may be covered. However, be aware, that most insurance policies will not replace a particular insulin delivery device (including an insulin pump or a pod) until the warranty expires or for the next four years (but they may help with upgrades).
An OmniPod may be a great device to consider for managing your diabetes but be sure to ask your plan administrator if you later decide to go to a pump will it be covered.
Picture of the OmniPod Insulin Management System
Want help determining how to calculate your need for insulin? First, be sure to check with your doctor but you can also use Insulin Pumper's insulin calculating tool to better understand how your doctor might determine your need for insulin.
OmniPod Insulin Management System
Sometimes also called "mealtime insulin"
Definition: The OmniPod Insulin Management System is not an insulin pump but closely mimicks the infusion of an insulin pump. The OmniPod does not use tubing (the part that connects an insulin pump to the canula to deliver insulin) but houses insulin directly in the pod itself which is inserted by use of a canula. You fill the pod which may last for up to three days (the pod is worn all the time).
Insulin is delivered via a hand-held device called the Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM) that also has a built-in Freestyle blood glucose meter (this is not the same thing as continuous glucose monitoring). The PDM is programmable to your individual insulin delivery needs.
Just like an insulin pump, the OmniPod Insulin Management System does feature programmable basal rates (currently seven programs) including temp basals (the temporary raising or lowering of basal insulin flow), variable bolus features (either delivering the bolus insulin all at once or over an extended period of time, or a combination of both). The PDM can also keep track of blood sugar readings, history of insulin delivered, has a carb counter feature, as well as a few other helpful tools for managing diabetes.
All persons with the juvenile form of type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to live.