Ontario - Free Pumps!

[xMenace]

Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA (http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1126159)

Diabetes patients get free pumps

Posted By BRENDAN WEDLEY EXAMINER STAFF WRITER
Posted 3 hours ago


http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplayPhoto.aspx?img=%2fImages%2fContent%2 f19%2f2008%2f7%2fw7232008730282vtwtr55dka5q055dk5g 2z551.jpg&w=300
Clifford Skarstedt, Examiner Tino Montopoli, who has Type 1 diabetes, has been using an insulin pump for six years and he says he'd never go back to insulin injections. For more photos go to Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA (http://www.peterboroughexaminer.com)
Tino Montopoli has been using an insulin pump for six years and says he'd never go back to insulin injections.

"It allows me to live a normal life. I'm not tied to a timetable," he said. "I have more flexibility deciding when I want to eat meals.

"When you're eating and you decide you want a little more, you can have a little more. When you have diabetes, you have to count those carbohydrates.

"It allows you to be more spontaneous like a non-diabetic person."

Health Minister David Caplan announced yesterday the provincial government will provide free insulin pumps and supplies to more than 1,300 adults with Type 1 diabetes.

It's part of a $741-million, four-year plan to prevent, manage and treat diabetes.

Diabetes, an incurable disease, prevents the body from producing enough insulin or properly using the hormone. The body needs insulin to convert the sugar found in food into energy.

High blood sugar -- an effect of diabetes -- can lead to a variety of complications for body parts such as for the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.

An insulin pump is about the size of a cellphone. It provides a steady stream of insulin, through a tube, to the person wearing the device.

An insulin pump is an alternative to insulin injections, which need to be done several times each day using a syringe or insulin pen.

Insulin pumps and injections help people who have diabetes manage the disease.

[fgummett]

Great news to be sure :) BUT it also underlines the fact that health care is not universal in Canada... it still matters where you live in this great country, as to what level of care is available.

BTW that was a well written and informative article about D.

[Gangrel]

But this is what gets me.... "it allows me to eat a little more if I want".

Well, I can do that on MDI as well?!?

To me the pump's big selling points are convienance, and the ability to shape your basal patterns a lot better then on MDI, but does nothing for "eating" unless perhaps you want to get into the whole bolus pattern thing.......

[Jan B]

To me the pump's big selling points are convienance, and the ability to shape your basal patterns a lot better then on MDI, but does nothing for "eating" unless perhaps you want to get into the whole bolus pattern thing.......

Simplicity of eating extra would be more precise. Pre-bolusing gives extra control, but if you choose to have more than you pre-bolus for, just reach down and press for more insulin.

[marathon332]

This is great news and it's about time.

Diabetes costs Ontario over 5 billion per year in health related costs, so 741 million over 4 years is a good investment for the province I'd say. Not enough really, but a good start anyway.

I live in Ontario and I'm sure it's too early for details, but I'd like to keep an eye on this so I can apply for the program as soon as it becomes available.

Does anyone have any personal experience or insight they can possibly share on the best way to make sure I get my application considered in a timely manner?

Who should I be talking to or what forums should I monitor?

-- Steve

[Gangrel]

Simplicity of eating extra would be more precise. Pre-bolusing gives extra control, but if you choose to have more than you pre-bolus for, just reach down and press for more insulin.

Ya, I know it's definately more simple. I'm just being nitpicky. It's like when I watch TV and a diabetic on a show goes into "insulin shock". Hnmnm, the only time my insulin shocks me is when I'm at Shopper's and I have to pay for it! :P

[notme]

That is great news. I am glad (even thought they still don't completely understand) that people are starting to realize that life can be a bit more normal and a lot less regimented when on a pump. Hopefully, the price of pumps will come down so insurance companies will stop being so stingy with them and more people can afford to get one if they want it.

[fgummett]

I'd also view it as a good long term investment in health care: Diabetes is really a case where, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Sure a pump is not cheap, but if it helps to maintain better control with fewer long-term complication, look at the savings down the road. I understand that an heart-attack costs $100,000 and Renal Dialysis is $50,000 a year. Not to mention the cost (financial and in oh so many other ways) to the sufferer and their family :)

[xMenace]

Simplicity of eating extra would be more precise. Pre-bolusing gives extra control, but if you choose to have more than you pre-bolus for, just reach down and press for more insulin.


and if you eat too much or exercise too much or get sick or get stressed or drink too much or whatever, a simple temporary basal for x hours may be the answer. No extra shots and no feeding the disease!

[xMenace]

Who should I be talking to or what forums should I monitor?

Call a pump rep monthly.

Ask your endo or pcp.

Subscribe to Google news alerts.

This place ;) Welcome!

[fgummett]

You might find additional information here: MOHLTC - News Release - Ontario Launches Diabetes Strategy (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_08/jul/nr_20080722.html) :)

[viranth]

Is there only 1300 people with diabetes in Ontario?

[Alene]

Is there only 1300 people with diabetes in Ontario?

I was confused by this number too. There's 900,000, altogether ...mostly type 2... some with coverage already? Some who are children?

[ant hill]

Hopefully, the price of pumps will come down so insurance companies will stop being so stingy with them and more people can afford to get one if they want it.

My fear is that if a government will give the Type 1 community pumps then the price of a pump will just go up in price.
There should be a law against greed. :(

[SharpTail]

I am now in the program to get one of these pumps. It may not be into early 2009 that we will actually get these subsidized pumps but the diabetes educators are preparing individuals for them now in my city. There are a number of requirements to qualify including regular consultation with diabetes educators and also regular appointments with an endo or other doctor involved in the program. The problem now, as explained by my diabetes educators, is that the government has not provided the extra funding for them to deal with the expected large number of Type 1's that will be interested in this.
The price for pumps will not likely increase because of this program since the Government is providing around $6000 for the cost of the pump and something like $2500 per year for the cost of supplies. Apparently the cost for some pumps is greater than the $6000 but the pump companys have all agreed to accept this amount for their pumps.
Probably the first thing to do to get into this program is to contact your Diabetes Education Office and they will be able to provide all the necessary information and help.
Pat

[ant hill]

Ya thanks Pat, Well here pumps just themselves are $8,500 each and that it, Just the pump and you would have to see a CDE for training and tons of reading. The money you pay is up front and then approach your insurance to get half of it back and even then you still cannot be sure if the insurance will pay as they have some way to who they deal with. It's very up in the air here as the cost is very prohibitive. :confused:

[Subby]

I think this sounds like great news. And sensible, to be seriously taking into account the TCO of diabetics (total cost of ownership: crude and offensive to apply to people but I think it's a relevant concept to mention).

Ya thanks Pat, Well here pumps just themselves are $8,500 each and that it, Just the pump and you would have to see a CDE for training and tons of reading. The money you pay is up front and then approach your insurance to get half of it back and even then you still cannot be sure if the insurance will pay as they have some way to who they deal with. It's very up in the air here as the cost is very prohibitive. :confused:

Hey Peter, I agree the system is not the best here, the primary problem is dependence on private health insurance for pump subsidy (and insurance is $$$$ per year).

This reliance on private health is getting towards the US model, however there are two things we are more fortunate about I can think of:

- through our medicare we do have much more of a universal healthcare system for many things (not pumps, but pump consumables) for which we should be very grateful.

- I know that private health care may be out of reach of many and it just plain sucks :( But, just to let you know, private health here will cover the entirety of the pump, and they will commit and cover the fee from the beginning. Most top cover or hospital cover insurance policies/companies will co-operate, from my impression. There is a "pump suitability" requirement which I think involves a letter from your endo stating you test x amount of times a day and you don't have a great A1c or similar (that may have changed - you can get the form from Diabetes Australia from memory). Then they should agree. CDEs will help with the process.