Medtronic and Aetna Partner to Provide Pumps for People with Type 2
By Adam Brown
On March 4, Medtronic announced the creation of a new pilot program with Aetna to provide an insulin pump to up to 300 fully insured members with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (those with an A1c greater than 8%). Participants in the pilot will receive a MiniMed Revel insulin pump as well as educational support to learn about insulin pump therapy. The companies expect the program to run for two years and will track the success of pumps in helping the wearer with glucose control, health outcomes, and healthcare costs. Hopefully, the information from the program may also benefit providers in identifying type 2s who can benefit the most from going on a pump (this important factor has long been debated, and the new data would help in figuring out what patients are best suited for pump therapy).
This is a much-needed initiative, as about 50% of type 2 patients are not at their A1c goal, and many dislike insulin injections or using needles in public. Currently, very few people with type 2 diabetes use pumps – this stems from a variety of factors, including the lack of data on the benefits of pump therapy for type 2, healthcare providers’ comfort level with pumps for type 2, and reimbursement challenges. Luckily, there are several less expensive, easier-to-user insulin delivery devices currently approved or in development. Valeritas manufactures the V-Go Disposable Insulin Delivery Device (basal/bolus) for type 2 patients, which is currently available in the US (more information here). J&J/Calibra’s very slim Finesse (bolus-only) has been approved by the FDA and is under further study. CeQur’s PaQ device (basal/bolus) is currently being studied in Europe and is expected to launch there next year. Several other type 2 products are in development from companies like Insulet and Debiotech. –NL/AB
