Pharmac will not be including the Medtronic devices in the funded options. People currently using Medtronic MiniMed 770G insulin pumps have until 1 October 2026 to move to a different funded pump.
Q: What is happening to the Medtronic MiniMed 770G insulin pump?
There will be a 24-month transition period between 1 October 2024 and 1 October 2026 to ensure there is sufficient time and resource to support you with a change in insulin pump. This will allow time for you to consider which alternative option is right for you. So, you don’t have to change straight away.
Take the time to talk to your doctor or diabetes specialist team about the best product to manage your diabetes. The consumables for your pump will be funded for two years until 1 October 2026. Consumables include items like infusion sets and reservoirs.
From 1 January 2025 the Medtronic MiniMed 770G insulin pump will no longer be funded for people new to insulin pumps.
From 1 October 2026 the range of consumables associated with the MiniMed 770G insulin pump will no longer be funded.
Q: What if the funded brands aren’t right for me?
Pharmac know from their clinical advisors that the devices they have chosen to fund will work for most people with type 1 diabetes. They’ve also told them that there may be a small group of people that the funded CGMs and insulin pumps will not work for.
There is a pathway for those who are unable to use the funded CGM and insulin pump options. This is through Pharmac’s Exceptional Circumstances Framework, with criteria informed by clinical advisors.
To access funding for a different CGM and/or insulin pump, talk to your diabetes specialist team as they will need to tell Pharmac:
· the clinical reasons why the funded brands won’t work for you, or
· the clinical reason you need to stay on your current brand of CGM or insulin pump.
Q: What CGM can I get funded while I wait to transition to a funded pump?
From 1 October 2024, you can access any of the five funded CGMs. This allows you to run an 'open loop' system, where the CGM and insulin pump aren't connected to each other.
Your doctor or nurse prescriber can apply for funding for any of the CGMs for you. If you change your mind with the type of CGM, you can ask to be prescribed a different CGM when you see your doctor.
More about CGMs for automated insulin delivery (noting that they won't work with the MiniMed pump)
To access these products, you will need to have an appointment with your diabetes specialist team or a training day booked.
If you change your mind with the type of CGM, you can ask to be prescribed a different CGM when you see your doctor.
Q: Is it correct that the transition cannot occur before the minimum period for my Medtronic has expired?
The transition from a Medtronic pump can occur anytime from 1 October – there is no minimum period that a person using a Medtronic pump needs to wait to change pumps.