Tag: diabetes tech

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New Initiatives Address Health Equity For People Of Color Living With Diabetes

This year’s World Health Day focus is on global health equity.

Major companies are making strides to support health equity for people of color living with diabetes in the U.S.. These companies investing in partnerships with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and T1DExchange and conducting research to better understand and address these inequities.

For example, Medtronic will be donating $1 million to the ADA’s Technology Access Project (TAP) over the next three years, as well as working with T1D Exchange to support an upcoming quality improvement study. Medtronic will also be supporting research initiatives to improve glycemic control in African American youth with type 1 diabetes who have not previously used technology such as insulin pumps.

Luther fan Kitt V. joins us on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast to discuss the challenges he faces living with type 2 diabetes. Coincidentally, one issue is that his insurance denies coverage for a Bluetooth blood glucose monitoring system. Kitt doesn’t check his blood sugars regularly because he is tired of pricking his fingers. The no-fingerstick way to track glucose levels 24/7, as advertised on TV, seems to be a great solution to his problem. 

Some insurance companies deny coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitors CGM based on the device used to collect data, such as a smartphone app or tablet. If patients use their smartphone at all, even alongside the receiver, Medicare won’t pay.

What can you do?

Ask your doctor to take a look over your records, then resubmit your claim on your behalf. Sometimes devices are not covered because “hypoglycemic unawareness” wasn’t listed.

Find out if your doctor can write you a letter of medical necessity for the supplies or device. This is important to try to get done ASAP as it will help strengthen your argument for coverage.

Diabetes is an expensive chronic disease to manage. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), healthcare costs are 2.3 times greater for people with diabetes. Many Americans living with diabetes struggle to pay for essential medications and supplies, even those who have insurance. 

Other guests on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast include Lisa Fischer, Jason Miles, Jeff James, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Chuck Flowers. 

By the time Luther Vandross headed to the studio to record his fifth album Give Me the Reason in 1986, he’d become one of the most successful soul singers of the first half of the eighties. His four previous albums have been either certified platinum or double-platinum in America.

For Luther Vandross’s fifth album Give Me the Reason, the album comprised nine tracks including the hits: So Amazing, There’s Nothing Better Than Love, Stop To Love and Give Me The Reason.

Throughout the podcast, we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s Give Me The Reason album courtesy of SONY Music.

 

 

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Medtronic Launches Discount Program

Medtronic has launched a CGM Access Discount program, which allows users without insurance coverage, or those who switched insurance or lost coverage, to access a discounted out-of-pocket cost for a Medtronic CGM. The discount enables eligible patients to pay $180 for a Medtronic CGM (with a 12-month warranty) and $60/month for sensors. For more information on the program, click here. This program will help people while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reviews proposed new changes that, if finalized, would expand Medicare coverage for CGMs.

Earlier this year, Medtronic expanded its Medtronic Assurance program for U.S. customers who lose their jobs and health insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Current eligible customers can receive a three-month supply of sensors, infusion sets and reservoirs at no cost.

Medtronic’s InPen integration with real-time Guardian™ Connect CGM system (continuous glucose monitoring) data helps people get to the right dose at the right time, by having all the data they need in one convenient place. Insulin insights and CGM data now appear together, so you can view doses, active insulin, and current glucose in one view without switching apps.

What is an InPen?

InPen is an insulin pen system designed for individuals using insulin injections and want the benefits of smart diabetes tech. The InPen app gets information from the InPen to keep track of diabetes data and help with insulin management decisions.

 

It automatically records insulin doses, tracks active insulin, and recommends mealtime and correction doses based on a bolus calculator. These features are especially impactful when it comes to determining how much insulin to give.

 

What is the Guardian™ Connect CGM system?

The Guardian™ Connect CGM system monitors glucose levels day and night, sending precise readings automatically to the app. The sensor continuously converts tiny amounts of glucose  into an electronic signal. Your system then uses these signals to provide sensor glucose values. The system includes a small sensor that can be worn up to seven days and a slim, discreet Bluetooth transmitter that can be worn in almost any situation.

It’s important to note that you will need to have both the InPen and Guardian Connect apps on your smartphone to enable real-time data sharing. InPen will be used to manage insulin and dosing, while the Guardian Connect app will manage your glucose and alerts. You will need to enter a blood glucose reading to calibrate in the Guardian Connect app and to use the bolus calculator in the InPen app. Since the data sharing is made possible by CareLink Personal software, you’ll also need to have an internet connection to see data in real time. Our goal is to continue building upon this technology and ease the burden of the daily decisions of managing diabetes.

The InPen and Guardian Connect CGM apps work on both iOS and Android devices. Click here to see if your device is supported.

 

Enjoy this edition of Diabetes Late Nite podcast with Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, Mama Rose Marie and music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.

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What’s The Difference Between Blood Glucose Meters (BGM) & Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)?

Q: What’s the difference between Blood Glucose Meters (BGM) and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)?

ANSWER: Blood Glucose Meters (BGM) measure glucose levels in your blood at a single moment in time, while Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems continually check glucose levels in your blood throughout the day and night. Unlike BGMs that require deliberate action to get a reading, real-time CGM systems work throughout the night, while the user is asleep.

According to the Dexcom website: some Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems eliminate the need to take fingerstick measurements using a Blood Glucose Meter according to the Dexcom. Other CGM systems reduce the frequency of fingersticks, but still rely on regular Blood Glucose Meter readings to ensure proper calibration. It is always recommended that CGM users take a fingerstick reading prior to making diabetes treatment decisions if glucose alerts and readings from their CGM systems do not match symptoms or expectations.

We’re talking about Blood Glucose Meters and the best time to check your blood glucose levels after eating with Special guest, Diabetes care and education specialist and registered dietitian, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Divabetic’s free At Home Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party on Zoom this Thursday, June 18, 2020, 7 PM, EST. Register Now.

Smoothies are a great way to get health-boosting, disease-fighting nutrients from fruits and vegetables. However, the wrong kind of smoothie can be a bad choice for people with diabetes especially when eating out. Learn the Do’s and Don’ts to Healthy Smoothies with Jill Weisenberger on Divabetic’s Zoom Smoothie Party.

Jill Weisenberger’s candid and energetic approach and her sound nutrition and fitness advice has earned her a place as one of 10 Dietitians You Need to Follow on Social Media in US News & World Report. Jill offers healthy and delicious recipe ideas and nutrition strategies that are based in sound nutrition science. Whether you’re looking for disease prevention or management, nutritious meals that people actually want to eat, or truths (and myths!) about the latest food trends, get reasonable and realistic tips from expert Jill Weisenberger.

The American Diabetes Association recommends checking one to two hours after you start eating to capture the peak level of your blood glucose.

Keep in mind that blood glucose results often trigger emotions. Blood glucose numbers can make you feel angry, frustrated, and/or blue. Knowledge is power: tracking your blood glucose levels is wonderful tool to see how your diabetes care plan is working, and whether you need to adjust your plan with the help of your healthcare professional.

Diabetes care and education specialist and registered dietitian, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND guests on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Patti Austin. Other guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout this podcast we will be featuring songs from ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music

Divabetic’s Carb Kitty Video Game
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What The Heck is Diabetes Technology?

Speaker, Author, Researcher in diabetes and digital health, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES joins us to talk about diabetes techonlogy and digital health on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 6 PM, EST.

There’s seems like no better time to discuss Diabetes Technology and Digital Health than right now during the panepidemic.

Doctors and hospitals are use telehealth tools for routine appointments without the burden of traditional barriers, such as reimbursement and privacy restrictions.

Big health insurance organizations are relaxing rules on early prescription refills and prior authorization requirements to allow patients to preorder and store medications and supplies.

What does it mean for you?

Well, here’s Deb’s answer to probably the most basic question about Diabetes Technology and Digital Health prior to our interview on Tuesday.

 Q: What the Heck is Diabetes Technology?

Deborah Greenwood (DG): “That is a great question because I think there is some confusion out there.  Many people, when they hear the term diabetes technology, think about diabetes “devices” like pumps and continuous glucose montiors (CGMs) and meters, but in reality diabetes technology is so much more. 

It is really a system that we like to call “technology-enabled care and education” that includes 4 key elements: 

1. Communication between the people with diabetes (PWD) and the healthcare team (in many different forms including text or phone or videochat or patient portal) 

2. The use of patient-generated health data, from diabetes devices we’ve discussed and from fitness trackers or other forms

3. The use of data to identify how both education and care can be tailored to the individual 

4. Feedback provided and discussed with the care team so changes can be made like medication, or activity plans or eating plans etc.”

Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES is a diabetes care and education specialist who focuses on digital health. she is owner of Deborah Greenwood Consulting and recently started working as a Medical Science Liaison at Dexcom. She was the 2015 president of AADE.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Dionne Warwick

We’re talking about ‘Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes’ with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on May’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Living longer and increasing your life expectancy with diabetes doesn’t have to be a chore. From flossing your teeth daily to getting a good night’s sleep, there are simple things you can do to help you live long, happy and healthy life.

Dionne Warwick has enjoyed a tremendously long career as a singer.  She ranks second to Aretha Franklin as the most charted female vocalist with 69 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 during the rock era (1955–1999).

Dionne Warwick once explained her longevity to Jet magazine, saying, “I really attribute it to remaining who I am and not jumping ship, being completely cognizant of what the people … are accustomed to hearing from me.”

Guests include The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Dionne Warwick’s ‘Dionne’ album featuring I’ll Never Love This Way Again and Deja Vu courtesy of SONY Music.

Mr. Divabetic at the NYC Easter Parade
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DIY Diabetes Tech Gains Popularity

“People (with diabetes) are able to connect online and share innovations in both software and hardware, as well as new ways of using ordinary equipment. That is a really powerful thing,” Eirik Arsand, a professor at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research told the Washington Post. “The Do-It-Youself’ movement is a positive for patients, absolutely. On social media, you can see how many people who have said it changed their lives and made things easier.”

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Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Destiny’s Child

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Destiny’s Child

We’re talking about the HIGH COST OF INSULIN on Diabetes Late Nite with music from today’s biggest superstars courtesy of SONY Music. This month, we’re spotlighting music from Destiny’s Child. Guests include T1International’s US Advocacy Manager, Allison Bailey, Mary Ann Hodorowicz RD, MBA, CDE, Jessica Clark and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.

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