CGMs, insulin pumps and insulin pump consumables will be funded from 1 October 2024.

You need to be diagnosed with one of the following:

  1. Type 1 diabetes

  2. Permanent neonatal diabetes (diabetes since you were born)

  3. Some types of “monogenic diabetes” with insulin deficiency

  4. Type 3c diabetes (includes insulin deficiency caused by pancreatectomy, insulin cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis)

  5. Some atypical inherited forms of diabetes

If you’re not sure whether this describes your diabetes, your doctor or diabetes specialist team will be able to help.

If you’re waiting to see your GP or diabetes specialist, here’s what you can do:

Consider the options available:

  • Understand which devices are available to you.

  • Consider what CGM and/or insulin pump you think will suit you best.

  • If you’d like both a CGM and an insulin pump, whether you want the insulin pump as soon as they are available, or in the future.

  • Think about what questions you have for your doctor, your diabetes nurse, or your hospital diabetes team.

Diabetes NZ has worked with Pharmac to pull together some information for you, it is available on the Pharmac CGM and insulin pumps webpage.

Making appointments:

Your doctor or a member of your diabetes specialist team will apply for funding – this is called a special authority application. In most cases you can get a Special Authority on the same day, but sometimes this can take a bit longer.

Once you have a Special Authority your GP or diabetes specialist team can write prescriptions for CGMs. You will need a new prescription every three months.

We know that many of you will want to book appointments with your health practitioners the moment CGMs and insulin pumps are funded and available. We know that doctors, nurses, and clinical teams will want to get these devices to you as soon as possible. But they are really stretched so you might need to wait a little for an appointment.

Find out more about getting a CGM here.

Having issues accessing devices?

Getting support:
 
From the 1 October 2024, the helplines for each device will be open. If you have any technical questions, you can call: 

  • NZMS, for Dexcom CGMs and Tandem t:slim insulin pump: 0508 634 103 

  • MediRay (Abbott) for FreeStyle CGMs: 0800 106 100 

  • Pharmaco for the mylife Ypsopump insulin pump: 0800 458 267