The Benefit of CGMs and Insulin Pumps, How To Best Cover The Cost

To live a life without worry is priceless. Unfortunately, the reality is life all too often is rife with worry and there is a price put on both. This can be especially true for those living with diabetes. The label comes with assumed hindrances, sacrifices, and inflated cost. CGMs and insulin pumps can be very expensive, so we’ll go over how to best cover the cost.

That doesn’t have to be the case though. Better understanding of what is required to live a full life with diabetes, the tools available to help day to day, and what assistance is offered to cover the monetary responsibility, can help ease the strain.

Living a life with diabetes

Whether you have type-1 or type-2 diabetes, the goal is to reach and maintain a safe blood sugar level. There are several different ways to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. However, the foundation should always be exercise and a proper diet suited for someone with these restrictions.

Additionally, reducing stress, stopping any nicotine intake, staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, limited alcohol consumption, and personalizing a daily diet can all pay massive dividends in reducing the negative effects of diabetes.

For many diabetics, though, while diet and exercise help, they aren’t enough. That’s not an indictment on any patient, but rather an acceptance of what is required to lead a normal day to day and not allowing a disease to cripple any opportunities. So what is the best way to achieve this mark? That would be CGMs and insulin pumps.

A necessary little helper

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps are little things that can make a big difference.

CGMs—often the size of a large coin—can be attached on the body, typically the upper arm. This allows the monitor to measure blood sugar levels for 24 hours a day, meaning less finger pricks. The numbers obtained by the CGM are then sent to a device for the user to see and analyze. This not only alerts a user to dangerous numbers during unforeseen circumstances, but also allows diabetics to see trends, high’s and low’s, and previously unknown blind spots in their diet.

Insulin pumps can be worn on the body at all times. Whether clipped on the belt or in your pocket, these little miracle workers are about the size of your first cell phone. A small tube inserted into the skin delivers insulin to maintain a healthy glucose level. The insulin can be delivered in a small continuous stream or a manual “surge.”

As technology has evolved, CGMs and insulin pumps have begun to work together. Allowing users to go about their lives without having to constantly worry about and check levels.

However, both of these devices come with a price.

The cost of health

The average cost of insulin pumps and CGMs can vary based on whether or not the user has insurance and what that plan may cover. According to GoodRX, an insulin pump typically costs around $6500, with additional supplies running between $3000-$6000 a year.

CGMs run for less than pumps, averaging around $2500 most of the time, though they can get as high as $7000. However, the cost for CGMs are typically broken down by month to month, given the average length of usage for the sensors. Month to month, CGMs run from $100-$300. If the user has a smartphone, it can be used as a device reader. If that option isn’t possible, a reader must be purchased, for around $60, according to Forbes.

Again, insurance can cover some of these costs, but that is not always a guarantee. There are also over-the-counter costs typically associated with both devices.

Cost Solutions for Insulin pumps and CGMs

Most major insurance plans will cover at least a partial cost of insulin pumps and CGMs, if not the whole cost. There may still be some month-to-month cost passed on to the consumer. Talk to your doctor and insurance provider about the best plan options to take care of your needs as a diabetic.

If you don’t have insurance or your insurance plan doesn’t cover the full cost, there are still solutions.

There are companies that help reduce the cost of prescriptions with coupons, as well as the cost of additional needed supplies. There are also online lenders that offer simple fast loans with no hard credit checks, to help cover the cost of medical supplies.

No one should ever have to sacrifice their health or other necessary basics due to cost. Whether it’s finding the best option through insurance or leaning on the services of lending agencies, there is a solution to keeping your health a priority and your day a little less stressful.

Because no matter the cost, living a life without worry is priceless.