The first step is to speak with your Endocrinologist at your next diabetes clinic appointment.
If you meet the criteria for pump therapy, your doctor will make a referral to the Diabetes Allied Health team for a Pump Information session
The appointments for acquiring the pump at the The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) are as follows:
- Pump Information (approx. 1 - 1.5hrs) - online module completed at home as a family.
This module covers important information to consider when starting insulin pump therapy. It includes frequently asked questions and how the pump works, covering important benefits and challenges.
There are some questions for you to answer along the way to help you with your decision of changing to continuous therapy as well as the pump company links.
We will send you a letter after the doctor completes a referral in clinic for consideration of insulin pump commencement.
This letter includes a link to the online module. If you prefer a telehealth appointment there are instructions on the letter to contact us to organsie this as an appointment rather than an online module. - Choosing your pump (approx. 2hrs) - two - three families together
- Receiving your pump, learning how it works, programming and start the pump (all day) - 2 families together
- Pump start (2 days after starting on a pump) - two families together for further insulin pump education
- Pump start review 1 week after starting on a pump (approx. 2hrs) - 2 families together
- Pump start follow up (6 weeks from pump start) - one on one session with the diabetes nurse and dietitian
Our current wait time from submitting the completed tasks required in the pump information session module to your pump start is 6-12 months.
These appointments will take place on set days with a diabetes nurse educator +/- dietitian.
If after session 1 you decide that pump therapy will suit your family you will be added to the wait-list.
Some of the eligibility criteria to start on an insulin pump include:
- Home computer access
- Wearing CGM and regularly accessing reports
- Flexible bolusing - if you are not already flexible bolusing discuss this at your next clinic appointment and refer to flexible bolusing page
- Self adjusting your insulin doses
- Confident with carbohydrate counting
Insulin pumps supported at RCH:
We currently support patient with the:
Accessing diabetes technologies with external providers:
Considerable support is required following CGM or pump start. Please note that if you choose to access CGM or an insulin pump from another team (not public RCH), ongoing care and support must come from that team for at least the initial six months. Consistency in diabetes management is one of the biggest predictors of success. Switching between care teams can lead to confusion and poor diabetes outcomes. If you have gone to another centre but decide to return to RCH, a new referral as well as updated information from your interim diabetes provider will be needed.
Pump costs:
The costs of pumps vary, but are approximately $8574,00.
Families can access pump therapy using either:
- Private health insurance
- Available option of Loan to Own Pump Program
- JDRF Insulin Pump Program
- Outright purchase
Private Health Insurance
Most private health insurance policies cover the cost of the pump but for most, there is a minimum level of hospital cover required. Confirm with your health fund before considering insulin pump therapy. Getting your private health insurance company to confirm in writing that it is covered is a good idea. For the private health insurance company to cover the cost of an insulin pump, the membership is required for a minimum of 1 year.
About Loan to Own as a Pump Funding Option
For some patients there can be a delay in starting Insulin Pump therapy due to a Private Health Insurance waiting period. These patients may be able to access a Pump earlier by using one of the ‘loan to own’ programs offered by 3 Pump Companies accessible at RCH. Please note however that not all Private Health Insurance companies allow you to access these programs and it is essential that you check with your private health insurance provider. At present we are aware of 3 companies who do not allow access: Qantas, NIB and Mildura Health.
‘Loan to own’ means that the company will let your child start on their chosen insulin pump before the private health Insurance waiting period has ended. This process works a little differently at each company and we recommend that you investigate each companies’ information at the links below:
- Ypso Med Gap Program – there is no specific information on their website, but you can call their customer service number on: 1800 447 042. To access their program, you will need to sign a separate agreement outlining the details of the arrangement.
Important points to be aware of:
- You may be required to provide credit card details to access a ‘loan to own’ program.
- The warranty period for your Pump will be extended by the loan to own period. This means that the end of the warranty and your new private health insurance waiting period will match so you won’t be stuck with an out of warranty pump.
- You will be responsible for any loss or damage to the pump that is not covered by the standard warranty.
We are offering access to these programs on the following basis:
- Your child has a current referral to commence Insulin Pump therapy and you have completed the Pump Information module or group session.
- Your child will remain on the loan to own pump at the end of your private health insurance (PHI) waiting period.
- You will need to have at least 3 months remaining of the PHI waiting period.
- This is your first time accessing an insulin pump.
If you choose to access a ‘loan to own’ program this will mean:
- We will update the pump waitlist to reflect that you will be accessing a pump using a ‘loan to own’ program.
- Your referral will no longer be held up waiting for the Private Health Insurance deadline to expire.
- Your referral will now be progressed based only on your referral date and you will be contacted again once you are next in line for a pre-pump session. From there it is usually around 6 weeks until the pump start.
- When you attend your Pre-Pump session we will complete the paperwork to access the relevant ‘loan to own’ program.
To access a ‘loan to own’ program please let us know by emailing us at diabetesadmin@rch.org.au and include in the email the name of your Private Health Insurance and the end date of your waiting period.
JDRF Insulin Pump Program
JDRF provide funding for families who meet a certain a criteria. For further information visit: https://jdrf.org.au/living-with-t1d/insulin-pump-program/
Let the diabetes team know what the outcome of your application to JDRF. Filling in the JDRF income check does not mean you are on the RCH pump waitlist, you still require a referral from your endocrinologist to start on a pump and have a pump information session.
Also consider the on-going costs with pump consumables. These include the line/cannula and insulin reservoirs as well as ketone strips.
Insulin pump consumables (lines and cannulas)
Pump consumables are covered by NDSS; follow this link to find out about the costs NDSS link
Where should I direct any additional questions?
If you have any further questions please speak with your endocrinologist at your next appointment or contact the diabetes office on 9345 6661/email diabetes@rch.org.au