Choosing the correct insulin pump is like choosing a good pair of shoes. There are a lot of choices, and much has to do with your lifestyle. Just as there's no "best for everything and everyone" pair of shoes, there's no one "best" insulin pump. Deciding which one should be a careful process.
Many private insurance carriers (and Medicare!) will honor a doctor's prescription for an insulin pump. Talk to your insurance carrier, your state Medicare carrier, or call: 1-800-772-1213.
Several new manufacturers have entered the U.S. insulin pump market in the past few months. Established manufacturers have brought out new products and updates. If you're an insulin-using diabetic ready for a pump, ready for the discipline it requires and the freedom it provides, you should start by contacting these manufacturers and reviewing what the different pumps can do for you.
PUMPS (by manufacturer)
Animas Corporation
The ANIMAS R1000
Animas Corporation, 590 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer, PA 19355; telephone: 1-877-937-7867;
Web site: www.animascorp.com
Dana Diabecare
The DIABECARE-II
Dana Diabecare, 2601 N. Hullen Street, Metairie, LA 70002; telephone: 1-866-342-2322;
Web site: www.danapumps.com
Deltec
The DELTEC COZMO
1265 Grey Fox Road, St. Paul, MN, 55112; telephone: 1-800-826-9703; Web site:
www.delteccozmo.com
Disetronic
The H-TRON PLUS and the D-TRON PLUS
Disetronic Medical Systems, 5151 Program Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55112-1014; telephone:
1-800-280-7801; Web site: www.disetronicusa.com
Medtronic Minimed
The MINIMED 508 and the PARADIGM
Medtronic Minimed, 18000 Devonshire Street, Northridge, CA 91325-1219; telephone:
1-800-646-4633; Web site: www.minimed.com
a special case: The DAHEDI 25
Although Disetronic (see above) is the manufacturer of the tiny "basic" DAHEDI 25 insulin pump, the Dahedi does not appear on their website, and its U.S. distribution is handled by Logimedix, a Florida-based distributor (the Dahedi 25 can also be special-ordered from Disetronic). Contact: Logimedix, 1675 North Commerce Parkway, Weston, FL 33326; telephone: 1-800-821-8241; Web site: www.logimedix.com