I’ve had T1D for 25 years and been on and off different Minimed pumps for around 15 years. I currently have a 630G but will be able to upgrade soon. I had plans of upgrading to the 670g until I just read an article about the new update with the Tandem x2. Does anyone know when this new system will be out? Should I wait to upgrade until then? Is there any reason you all would prefer one over the other? Thanks so much for all advice!
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Control-iq is still under FDA review. Tandem is hopeful it will be released before the end of the year. The main difference between the X2 and 670 is the X2 is designed to be simple to use. You turn on control-iq and that’s it, unlike the 670 which will kick you out of auto mode constantly and requires the attention only a 5 year old could rival. Other details include:
670 requires 4 calibrations a day to stay in auto mode compared to the X2/G6 with no calibration
670 has a hard BG target of 130 with a soft target of 180, the X2 has a 112.5 hard target and 160 soft target
670 uses micro bolus technology which does not allow correction boluses and everything is based off of carbs, X2 utilizes the users programmed basal rates with user controlled meal boluses
I would do as much research as possible before you decide which pump you want. The 670 and X2 are very different beasts. I love my Tandem X2 but am not excited about control-iq and will most likely keep using basal-iq because the algorithm is fantastic. The 670 has no shortage of hate these days and is most likely to get the 780 approval moved up. There are people who are having great success with the 670. If simplicity is what you’re looking for, Tandem is it.
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Thank you so much for the reply and all the information! I definitely plan on doing some more research. Days after I was approved for the 530g the 630g came out but luckily they let me switch. It wasn’t long after that the 670g came out and I was so bummed that it was going to be so long before I could get another so I want to make sure there’s nothing new coming out shortly after I decide on one this time. I know the 780 is planning on coming out in late 2020 but have you heard anything about Tandem releasing anything new other than Control IQ of course?Unfortunately my drs office seems rather biased on sticking with Minimed, so most of the information I know about Tandem I’ve had to find out on my own. When getting the x2 and Dexcom G6 do both have to be submitted and approved completely separate? Thanks again.
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Kristyn @Kspears , Welcome to the JDRF TypeOneNation Forum!
The Dexcom G6 and the Medtronic 670G each require doctor prescription - two individual devices that do NOT communicate with each-other.
Unlike the Medtronic devices [before changing to Tandem this year I had three progressively improved MiniMed/Medtronic pumps] where one needs to purchase an entirely new device to take advantage of improvement in technology, both the Dexcom and Tandem devices can be updated - without needing to spend another $9,000+.
When final approval is [hopefully] given for the “Control IQ” technology, I will connect my devices to the computer and download the updated software - a tested procedure. This is one of the reasons I changed to Dexcom/Tandem devices - Medicare rules require that pumps be used for the entire Manufacturer’s Warranty period PLUS another full year.
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Being able to connect and upgrade is definitely a huge pro for Tandem. I know the G6 and x2 are two different devices but I didn’t know if I would have to deal with both companies when trying to get approved or if they had any kind of system to get them both. I can’t think of a better way to word what I’m trying to say. I’m sorry if I’m not making sense. When I got the 630g after my DR had sent in the prescription and all needed paperwork I still had to send in 3 months of blood sugar checks, have some lab work done, and stay in contact with Minimed. So if I go with Dexcom and Tandem will I need to do this with both companies? The Minimed rep at my drs office was wonderful about taking care of everything for me but I have a feeling if I go with Tandem I’ll be doing everything mostly on my own. They don’t seem to have much knowledge if any about Tandem.
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@Kspears Kristyn, I would venture to say that it was your insurance company, or other third party payer, that demanded all that data; the MiniMed representative facilitated the collection of your needed stuff in order to get her/his sales commission.
The very simple procedure I used was to make my request to Dexcom and later to Tandem; the agents for these companies did the leg-work and I received my devices within a month of me getting in touch with the manufacturers. And this included dealing with Medicare; Medicare demanded the c-Peptide lab test and the three months background information even though Medicare has had my detailed data including having approved another pump five years previously.
by-the-way, I had introduced myself to both the Dexcom and Tandem representatives previously and they both remembered me from the questions I had asked at JDRF Chapter meetings, walks and TypeOneNation Summits. I suggest that being active in diabetes advocacy has a way of “greasing the wheels” .
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Hi Kristyn, I just switched earlier this year from Medtronic (after 20 years) to Tandem and Dexcom. I am a VERY HAPPY CAMPER!!! This transition was very easy. I made application online and Tandem contacted me within two weeks. My endo faxed all my info to them directly. I am still waiting patiently though to go on the Dexcom G6. Medicare has been the holdup on that. Medtronic can not hold a candle to the ease of using the Dexcom system. I was never able to use Medtronic’s because it was painful and the sensor always got ruined in my lean tissue. I hope to be able to use the Basal IQ soon too and within months may be eligible for the closed loop. My A1Cs are the lowest they have ever been since going on the G5.
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Good info in this discussion. One more, important point. I learned if I go to the 670g, that Medicare does not cover the sensors. I was very curious about that, so I dug into the Medicare bureaucratic layers and hit pay dirt with one guy willing to talk to me.
Medicare doesn’t cover it because it fails a cast iron requirement, that the diabetic can make food and insulin decisions BASED ON the reading of the CGM. Only Dexcom and that new one meet that criteria. The Medtronic Guardian DOESN’T meet the test. It requires you to do a finger test.
Why did Medtronic put out a CGM with lesser capability? Because they wanted to be the first company out with a semi-closed loop pump. So they put a somewhat improved CGM out, but the rush to do it meant we can’t rely on it for eating and insulin decisions.
Why is Medicare paying a premium for the 670 when they don’t cover the most important part of the system for automode? The 670 is designed to be a loop system not an ordinary pump. Medicare should not be wasting money on this pump and distributing the 630 instead.