Montreal Insulin Pump Support Group

Montreal Insulin Pump Support Group

Report following the meeting held on Dec. 9, 2003

About 35 people attended the reunion. We have welcome many new insulin pump users.

The Medtronic/Minimed kiosk has been very popular.

Answers to frequently asked questions by pump users or people thinking about using a pump have been discussed. This exercise has elicited many more questions and we have modified the agenda. Our speaker has agreed to present her conference at our April 14 meeting.

Mr. Pascal Wurfell, one of the people looking after the petition to have the Quebec government give type 1 diabetic children and adults access to insulin pump therapy has explained why he became engaged in this fight and asked to have all our friends, acquaintances sign the petition.

Frequently asked questions for Animas

1- what kind of price arrangement can you make, in order to help someone without insurance? 505 of the payment now, 12 post-dated cheques

2- can we buy a used pump directly from Animas ? no

3- Is the 4-year guarantee transferable, if someone wants to sell his pump before the period is over ? Does the pump have to go through an inspection at Medtronic before the transfer of owners ? yes and yes

4- What happens after the 4 year guarantee is over ? just before the 4 year, the pump is returned for recertification and another pump is sent to the client while this process takes place.

5- Can the guarantee be extended ? no

*attention: these answers were valid as of December 9, 2003. For questions concerning the Animas pump, please contact the Animas representative.

Frequently asked questions for Medtronic/Minimed

1- what will be the price of the 712 ? the 512 is $6,400 and the price for the 712 has not yet been decided. The 712 will be available, we think, during the first quarter of 2004. The reservoir will be 300 units but we will be able to put less insulin in it. The infusion sets for the 511-512 and 712 will be the same but they are not luerlock. Prices will be the same.

2- What will be the cost of 712, for someone who already has the 511 ? it will be possible for a 511 user to go for a 512 for about $500 Canadians but it will not be possible for a user of the 511 to go to a 712.

3- What will be the cost of the 712, for someone who has a 506, 507 or 508 pump ? the person will have to pay the full price, around $6, 400 for the 712 and $500 to upgrade to a 512.

4- What kind of price arrangement can you make, in order to help someone without insurance when time comes to buying a pump ? free infusion sets for a certain time, help with insurance, 25% of the full cost immediately and 75% over the next 24 months.

5- Can the non-insured buy a used pump directly at Medtronic ? no

6- If someone would like to sell his pump before the 4 year guarantee is over, is the guarantee transferable ? Does the pump have to go through an inspection at Medtronic before the transfer of owners ? yes to both questions

7- What happens after the 4 year of guarantee ? the pump is recertified. For $495 US, the guarantee is prolonged for 6 months.

8- Can the guarantee be extended ? see 7

* attention: those answers were valid as of Dec. 9, 2003. For questions regarding Medtronic Minimed insulin pumps, please contact the company representative.