Cost of Omnipod insulin pumps to be slashed under National Diabetes Services Scheme

Diabetes sufferers paying $400 a month for tubeless insulin pumps are set to get a massive boost under new plans to slash the cost by up to 95 per cent.

A “life-changing” tubeless insulin pump gave Kristina Tzaneros her freedom back – but at $400 a month it came at a high cost.

So news the Omnipod insulin pumps will be heavily subsidised by the Federal Government from December has been welcomed by the southern Sydney resident, who’s one of 130,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes.

The subsidy, through the National Diabetes Services Scheme, will bring the price of the disposable pods down to $29.30 a month for general patients, and $22.20 for concession card holders.

“I used the Omnipod pumps for the first six months of the year, and the biggest change for me was the freedom,” Ms Tzaneros, 23, said.

“I’ve had a pump connected with tubes hanging down since I was diagnosed with diabetes at 13 – being attached to something 24/7 a day takes its toll physically and mentally.

Type 1 diabetes sufferer Kristina Tzaneros (left) and her mum, Melissa, have welcomed the subsidy. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Switching to the new Omnipod pump which has no tubes was life changing, I could wear the clothes I want, go in and out of the water when I want, live my life the way I want.”

The administrative assistant will now go back on the Omnipod DASH Insulin Management system, which includes a waterproof adhesive pod which delivers insulin, alongside a touchscreen device to program and control the pod. The pods are disposable and replaced every three days.

The government is adding the touchscreen device to the prostheses list, making it available to patients for free through private health insurance. Australians without private health insurance will be able to access the device through a subscription fee to the device maker Insulet.

Health Minister Mark Butler said it was the latest move to help Australians living with type 1 diabetes, after increased subsidisation for continuous and flash glucose monitors was introduced in July.

This is the current pump that supplies Kristina’s insulin which she will change for the new one once the subsidies are available. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Subsidising this next generation technology means freedom of choice for Australians with type 1 diabetes, as well as the freedom from wires and tubes,” he said.

Mike Wilson, CEO of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia, welcomed the move.

“This funding is so important for the type 1 diabetes community, who each day must face the significant mental, social and economic toll this chronic condition brings,” he said.

“Providing people who live with type 1 diabetes more affordable access to the management technologies of their choice is key to improving health outcomes and reducing financial burden, and it’s wonderful that Omnipod will now be more accessible to more people who want it.”

Originally published as Cost of Omnipod insulin pumps to be slashed under National Diabetes Services Scheme