The Government Of Canada’s Role
Health Canada regulates the safety, effectiveness and quality of medical devices imported into and sold in Canada, including medical devices like insulin pumps. As part of this work, we:;
- review insulin pumps to make sure they meet our requirements for safety, quality and effectiveness before we grant a medical device licence to manufacturers
- monitor problems with insulin pumps on the market and work with manufacturers to correct them when problems are identified
- encourage Canadians to report complaints about insulin pumps and other medical devices to our Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate
We also send safety information about medical devices to health care professionals and consumers.;;;;;;;;;
Monthly Cost Of Insulin
Canadians pay approximately $35+ per vial of insulin.;
The amount of insulin required varies depending on each individual’s metabolic needs, blood glucose levels, and the type of insulin administered. A person diagnosed with Type 2 may take 0.1 unit of insulin for every kg of bodyweight per day, whereas somebody with Type 1 would take 0.5-1 unit/kg/day.;;
However, insulin won’t do someone any good without a way to administer it. In Canada, there is no coverage for syringes and alcohol swabs which are the main way people with diabetes administer insulin. Additionally, people with diabetes need to test their glucose several times daily, and each time they do it can cost approximately $1.;
Insulin pumps can be helpful in delivering rapid-acting or short-acting insulin continuously to prevent sudden highs or lows in blood-glucose levels. These devices can range anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 and are not often covered by traditional health insurance plans.
This means that insulin alone can cost someone $840-$2520 annually. When you add in the materials needed for administration and testing these numbers can grow substantially.
Gofundme And Fickle Funding
Zoë Massery listed $2,000 as her campaign goal and challenged 600 people to donate $5. After six months, her GoFundMe campaign did not receive any money. Failing to achieve a GoFundMe goal can be a death sentence for diabetics.
In March 2017, Shane Patrick Boyles death sparked headlines after he fell $50 short of his $750 goal for insulin. Boyle moved from Texas to Mena, Arkansas, to take care of his ailing mother. This move across state lines disrupted his prescription benefits. He succumbed to diabetic ketoacidosis while rationing his last vial of insulin, which made his blood acidic.
Even if diabetic patients reach their goal, some realize they cannot access the funds. Grady Moffett, 41, of Mobile, Alabama, began a GoFundMe called Health and Diabetes. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he started a campaign for his one-month supply of insulin after unexpectedly losing his Medicaid benefits. Once Moffetts campaign received $117 of his $200 goal, he discovered other obstacles.
Im in dire need of hope, he said. I havent even been able to withdraw the money off of my GoFundMe account because I dont have a bank account or debit card or credit card to put on the account.
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Are You A Business Owner
These days, your employees have many different options right at their fingertips. Depending on the job market and sector that you operate in, there could be countless competitors who want to work with your top performers.
As a business, you need to bring something new and better to the table. One of the best ways that you can do that is to offer excellent healthcare coverage with the option of a Health Spending Account. By doing this, you are telling your employees that you value their health and want to give them as many different options as possible to take care of themselves.
Many healthcare companies simply dont understand the business side of things, so their products are not what youre looking for. At Group Enroll, we only work with insurance providers who are committed to supporting small business owners and offer solutions that can actually meet the needs of Canadian businesses.
We operate in a transparent, quick way that makes healthcare and healthcare options easy to understand. Our goal is to make both you and all of your employees comfortable with your healthcare options and feel satisfied that they are fully covered if the time comes for them to need to go to the hospital or get life-saving medication.
Get in touch with our team today for a no-pressure consultation to get quotes from multiple providers all in one place!
Is An Insulin Pump Right For Me How Do I Know It Is Right For Me
If you or a person that has diabetes and uses insulin, an insulin pump might be the right choice. ;Ask your diabetes educator to tell you about what features might be best for your needs. Insulin pumps are a long term decision, and its normal to rely on a pump for 4 to 5 years, so its important to discuss different options with your health care provider so that you can assess the features and choose a pump that is right for you.
Insulin pumps are not for everybody. Not all patients with Type 2 diabetes are recommended to use an insulin pump, especially if the diabetes is already under control using oral medications. They are also not recommended for patients with pre-diabetes. Its best to speak to your physician about whether you should use an insulin pump or not.
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Where Do You Place An Infusion Set
Just like when using injection therapy, insulin infusion sites;must be rotated.; Sitemaps like this one may help to keeptrack of insertion sites and reduce the chance of hypertrophy.
You can place an infusion set in any of a number of places on your body.; Any area that you used for injections may also be used for;infusion sets.; Here are just some examples
How Do Diabetes Costs Affect Small And Medium Businesses
1. Revenue Loss Due to Missed Time
With diabetes comes medical appointments, and without a flexible schedule to attend these appointments, employees with diabetes can cost employers on average $1,500 annually due to missed work and decreased productivity. While employers alone aren’t responsible for the changes Canadians need to better manage diabetes, providing the flexibility to make appointments, offering health benefits, and starting wellness programs can help. In turn, this may lowers costs for the employer and reduce turnover.
2. Smaller Hiring Pool
Due to high costs associated with diabetes, job candidates may turn down a job offer if the health benefits are either too restrictive, or non-existent. As a result, small and medium businesses that don’t provide health benefits shrink the pool from which they can hire, putting them at a disadvantage.;
Recommended Reading: How Long Does A Person With Type 1 Diabetes Live
Personal Stories About Insulin Pumps
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I got my insulin pump 3 years ago. I was pretty nervous about how well I’d be able to program my pump and take care of it. There was so much to learn! But I had a great team of people helping me, including my doctor, my dietitian, and even the manufacturer of my pump. Still, I almost gave up after 3 months. It was always there to remind me that I had diabetes, you know? But my doctor talked me into sticking with it a little longer. Now I would not want to go back. Before the pump, diabetes controlled my life. With the pump, I feel like I am now in control of my diabetesâand my life.
Sally, age 50
I was on an insulin pump for more than 2 years, and then I quit. For me, the hassle of constantly taking my blood sugar and figuring out how to program my doses wasn’t worth it. Plus, I got a lot of infections at the catheter site. I went back to injections and feel happier with my life now.
Abner, age 35
I got my pump as a teenager, and I love it. I’m a police officer now, and having a pump makes it much easier to do my job.
Jake, age 22
Xiang, age 29
What Is The Most Common Risk Of Insulin Pump Therapy
There is risk for Diabetic Ketoacidosis from the pump malfunctioning, running out of insulin, dead battery, occlusions or absorption problems. DKA is a serious condition that can be fatal. DKA happens when there is not enough insulin in the system and sugar gets too high. There are alarms set up on the pump to go off if sugar gets too high or too low or if there is no insulin delivery. All those potential problems should be addressed during the training.
Hypoglycemia is also another risk if the person is not eating for long periods of time or is more active than usual. Never forget that the pump is delivering insulin continuously 24/7. Otherwise the pump settings can be adjusted to fit your life style.
If you have any comments post them down below!
TheDiabetesCouncil Article | Reviewed by Dr. Christine Traxler MD on June 05, 2020
References:
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How To Choose The Best Pump For You
Choosing an insulin pump should be a personal experience.; Consult your diabetes team and ask the diabetes community their opinion but ultimately make sure that the pump fits your lifestyle. You will have it for at least 5 years.; Even though most manufacturers do have a return policy, you want to be happy with your choice.
- Do you want a tubed insulin pump or a patchpump?
- How much insulin will you use in a day?
- What sort of infusion set do you prefer?
- Do you want a pump that can speak to yourcontinuous glucose monitor?
What Are The Advantages Of An Insulin Pump
Insulin Pumps are recommended for the following reasons:
- Eliminates the need for regular injections
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One needle every 3 days
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Fewer variations in blood glucose levels
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Easier & more convenient delivery of insulin bolus
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Increased flexibility regarding when and what you eat
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Eliminates the unpredictability of intermediate and long-acting insulin
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Reduces the need to consume a large amount of carbohydrates in order to exercise
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Increased accuracy of insulin delivery
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Ability to give very small doses of insulin
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Able to set alarms to remind you to check your blood glucose or bolus your insulin
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Are Insulin Pumps Safe
While its easy to be alarmed by stories like the one at the beginning of this article, insulin pumps are generally safe. These devices have been used successfully by patients of all ages, and can serve as a functional replacement for insulin injections.
Of course, if youre using an insulin pump, its crucial to make sure youre doing so safely. Before starting with an insulin pump, youll likely have to check your blood glucose levels at least four times daily. Changes in your glucose levels can let you know if your pump or infusion set isnt working properly these issues could eventually lead to diabetes ketoacidosis if they arent taken care of.
Cost Of Insulin By Country 2021
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows the body to use sugar in the food that you consume for energy. Insulin regulates the blood sugar levels in the body. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin naturally and must take insulin when they eat to help their bodies properly process glucose. Some type 2 diabetics need insulin as well, especially as the condition progresses if diet and exercise do not help.
Of the 30.3 million people in the United States with diabetes, about 5% are type 1 diabetics and need insulin to survive.
In the United States, insulin prices are extremely high and are continuing to rise. In 2012, the average annual cost of insulin per patient was $2,864 per year. In 2016, the prices nearly doubled to $5,705 per year. The cost of one insulin vial varies depending on the type of insulin and how the patient pays for it.
In addition to insulin vial, diabetics also pay for glucose monitors, test strips, lancets, and other supplies. Even with insurance, the cost of insulin can cost more than what most can afford. Insulin can range anywhere from $25 per vial to $300 per vial. Some people may need up to six vials per month.
In addition to vials, diabetics can choose to use insulin pens, which are prefilled and easier to use and travel with. Insulin pens, however, can cost more than vials per month because they typically contain fewer units of insulin.
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Ypsomed Diabetes Care Ypsopump
Features: The YpsoPump® is marketed as an easy to learn insulin pump offering the essential features.;
- measures 7.8 cm × 4.6 cm × 1.6 cm and weighs 83 g
- 4.1 × 1.6 cm, OLED touch screen that uses icons to help you navigate the insulin pump features
- Pre-filled, 1.6mL glass cartridges that will last for 7 days in the insulin pump or up to 30 days if filled and kept in the refrigerator
- Waterproof rating of IPX8
- Bolus delivery in increments of 0.1, 0.5, 1 or 2 units
- 2 custom basal patterns set in increments of .01 units by the hour
- Temporary basal patterns that can be set at 0%-200% for 15 min to up 24 hours.; They must be set in 10% increments.
- Uses one AAA alkaline battery that lasts for 30 days
- Mylife mobile app for smartphones that sync with the YpsoPump® via Bluetooth® technology.
- Uses 90degree Orbit steel infusion sets
How To Save On Insulin Prices
Contact your insurance company and find out how your policy pays for insulin. Do they pay more for certain types of insulin? Do they exclude certain types? If their payments or exclusions dont work with what you are taking, talk to your healthcare provider about options. Some insurance companies will accept what is called a prior authorization, which means your doctor writes a letter explaining why you need a specific type of insulin. Find out what your deductible is and how you will need to pay out of pocket. Ask if they have any special programs for insulin, such as the one offered by Cigna.
If paying cash, take advantage of programs offered by pharmaceutical companies, such as the one provided by Sanofi. Add in additional costs of supplies to see what you will need to pay each month.
Look into patient assistance programs offered by most major pharmaceutical companies, like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, and some non-profit assistance programs, such as Rx Hope, that provide prescriptions for free or low cost to low-income and uninsured.
Take advantage of a prescription savings card from Singlecare. Over 35,000 pharmacies accept SingleCare coupons. You can enter your zip code online or on our mobile app to find the pharmacy with the lowest price for your insulin. Then, bring in your prescription and your SingleCare card to receive the discount. Joining SingleCare is free.
Read Also: What Happens If You Take Too Much Insulin
What Else Do You Need To Make Your Decision
Check the facts
- No, that’s not right. Your body will always need insulin, no matter how well you control your diabetes. An insulin pump may help you keep your blood sugar in your target range, which is the most important part of managing diabetes.
- You’re right. The most important part of managing diabetes is keeping your blood sugar in your target range. A pump may help you do that.
- No, that’s not right. Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes. But you can live a long and healthy life by managing your diabetes and keeping your blood sugar in your target range. A pump may help you do that.
- It may help to go back and read “Get the Facts.” A pump can help you manage diabetes by helping to keep your blood sugar in your target range.
- No, that’s not right. It would be nice if it were easy, but learning how to use an insulin pump can take some time and effort. Most people find that it’s worth it.
- Correct! Learning how to use and program your insulin pump takes time and effort, but most people find that it’s worth it.
- No, it doesn’t require a lot of training. Although it takes some time and effort to learn how to use and program a pump, most people can do it.
- You may want to go back and read “Get the Facts.” Although it takes some time and effort to learn how to use a pump, most people can do it.
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Is Doing Insulin Pump Therapy Okay For People With Type 2 Diabetes
Yes, some public health and private insurance plans will only pay for a specific pump. There are general eligibility requirements if you want to be put on insulin pump therapy. People with Type 2 diabetes should be receiving at least 4 daily insulin injections per days, other possible criteria for an insulin pump is if you are having frequent hypoglycemia while on insulin, have advanced complications of diabetes, or frequently have high blood sugar.
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What Should Be Included In The Sale Price
The majority of pump sets will consist of the pump gadget, flexible needles for insertion of the infusion line, infusion lines, and tape for fixing the infusion line. Infusion lines permit the insulin to go from the pump to the patients body and the flexible needles enable the line to stay fixed in place for about 72 hours.More pricey pumps can also have a clip-on belt or pouch for the pump gadget or computer software application that permits the gadget to interact with a computer.