Diabetes - Minimed "Guardian"

Many diabetics in the U.S. are not only using insulin pumps, but new sensors that test blood sugar every 5 minutes and display the results in graph form on the pump screen - or on a separate screen if  you don't wear a pump. I'm 43 and have had diabetes since I was 8. My levels are near normal now (A1C 5.9) and this is the first time I've had it under complete control.

Does any one know if the sensors are being used in the UK and if they're covered by insurance?

Thanks!
James

The question actually should be, does the NHS have this? I can't answer that but I can tell you that if you are looking to have private health insurance here it is highly unlikely it would be covered. Private health insurance in the UK is almost never for long term maintenance of a condition. Even if you get private insurance through an employer, you could still be excluded for any diabetes treatment.

You may also be subject to post code lottery with this. The NHS may have it, but not in all areas.

Hopefully someone more familiar with diabetes treatment here will chime in soon!

Yes quite right - I meant NHS! Many of our private insurance companies in the U.S. are not covering it yet because it's so new - although they will be soon. I'm collecting info at this point to decide if my boyfriend will move here... or I will move to London at some point. The healthcare issue is a big one, because diabetes can be very expensive. I pay dearly for my private health insurance - but do have access to all the leading technology and would hate to go wiithout it.

If any one has type 1 (childhood onset) diabetes, I'd love to hear about your experience with coverage and treatment!
James

I don't have type 1 but I do have type 2 diabetes. Before I moved here, the first place I looked for information was the Diabetes UK website (www.diabetes.org.uk). According to that website it seems that Medtronic has pumps available here including the Guardian (at least according to their UK website http://www.medtronic-diabetes.co.uk/).

As balmerhon said it's hard to say whether you'll find this treatment in your local heathcare trust due to funding issues. I would contact Diabetes UK, Medtronic and if you know where specifically you'll be living in London, the local heathcare trust with questions about coverage and treatment. As an FYI, you would be eligible for medical exemption for prescription costs as a diabetic and that includes all non-diabetes related meds as well.

Great info - thanks!
James

I know that a lot of US insurance companies are just only starting to cover the integrated pump/sensors and or other CGMS, not just minimed, and they usually can only get the coverage, because a patient has to fight to say they have a hypo unawareness, seziures or other issues.  Its too bad, because this is such an excellent tool, that even despite some of the drawbacks such as inaccuracies in the lower blood glucose ranges, or constant alarms, etc, it really helps a person with diabetes see their patterns and be able to adjust accordingly! 
I am curious as to what you find out with the NHS regarding the sensors.  I have heard some horror stories about getting children on pumps in the UK, so I would imagine the struggle for a CGMS would be even worse.  As you're an adult though, it may be different.