[HeatherP]

Well, I'm seriously considering getting a pump. It's sooner than I would have expected but I'm just dissatisfied with my control and I'm EVER so sick of shots.

I ck'd w/ my ins. co, and they said they'd require me to pay 20% of the cost.

So I know the actual pump itself is about $6k, but what are the monthly upkeep costs? The tubing, infusion sets, site prep materials, insulin cartridges and other related stuff that is required to use the thing? At this point I'm leaning towards the Deltec Cozmore, if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any and all info!
HeatherP

[am1977]

Heather...

I understand how you feel...I detest shots ! UGH ! That's probably the main reason I moved to the pump, along with believing that it would improve my control.

As far as costs, it really does depend on your insurance plan . Yeah, I think the cost of the pump is about 6k on average. Mine's a Minimed Paradigm 511 and, obviously, that where I get my supplies as well. Now, I'm not sure all my supplies are covered by my plan, but I have yet to receive a bill from MM...which I'm not sure is b/c all my infusion sets and other pump goodies are covered or if it's just b/c their MM billing department isn't the best (or a combo of the two). I'd give your insurance a call and ask them.

Good luck with your decision!

[koblenz]

I am so sorry you are having trouble... that must be frustrating.

I don't think I can give you a total cost, but I can give you the "published" prices, and you can try and do the math. I am luck that my Insurance pays 100% of pump and supplies.

Infusion Sets (from Deltec) 10 per box: $110.00 per box
Cartridges (holds the insulin) 25 per box: $81.25 per box
IV 3000 dressing, 100 per box: $57.65 per box
AAA batteries, 1 every 3 weeks: giant pack at Costco about $10.00

Now, those are the published prices... who knows what prices your Insurance company may negotiate? Also, the prices for the other brands will most likely be different.

So, I change my set every 3 days, or approximately 10 sets, 10 cartridges, and 10 dressings a month. So just do the math. Some people change every 2 days, some stretch it out a little longer than 3... YMMV!

Now remember, once you go on the pump, you pretty much stop buying long acting insulin and syringes (of course I keep a supply handy for backup). So you save a little money there.

Hope this helps and if you have any Cozmo questions, PM, E-mail, or post here. Several of us have that brand.

[lgvincent]

May I ask how much insulin you tend to use over a month's time with a pump?

[HeatherP]

Thanks for the info and support - that gives me a place to start!

[amccrazgrl]

I think I tried to figure out how many time you change site fill insulin cartridges recently.
If you change every 3 days thats like 10 changes a month or so.
One bottle of insulin should last for 5 cartridge changes which is like half a month or so depending on how much you take.

thats what im guessing.

[Clint]

depending on your ins... I have yet to pay for any of my pump supplies... and I know that before my ins my pump and first 3mo supply was 5500... I ended up paying 1200 of that...