If you’re adjusting to a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, you’re probably making a lot of decisions. One that your healthcare provider might have brought up is whether you should get an insulin pump.

There are a lot of things to think about when you’re deciding if an insulin pump is right for you. It’s important to understand what an insulin pump is, how it might help you, and what you might end up paying for one. Here’s what you need to think about as you make this important decision.

What’s an Insulin Pump?

An insulin pump is a device that you wear. It administers insulin directly into your body throughout the day so you don’t have to take so many insulin injections. It can give you continuous insulin over the course of the day (basal insulin) as well as larger doses of insulin whenever you need it, like around mealtimes (bolus insulin). If you also have a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), your pump may work with it to adjust your doses and help you understand your body’s glucose levels better.

How Does an Insulin Pump Work?

Different types of insulin pumps work in different ways. There are a number of them available, and each one is a little bit different.

Tubed insulin delivery pumps consist of two main parts. You can hook the insulin pump to your belt loop or carry it in your pocket. It has a screen where you can look at data, a place for you to put insulin for it to use, and a battery. The second part is a thin, flexible tube, which goes from the pump to a location inserted under your skin, usually your abdomen or thigh. This is how the insulin gets from the pump into your body.

A tubeless insulin pump is also called a patch pump. It consists of a small device and an adhesive patch. You put insulin in the device, then attach it to your skin with the adhesive. It pierces your skin so it can deliver the insulin you need without a tube. You can usually control it with a separate, handheld controller or with a smartphone app.

Who Needs an Insulin Pump?

Some people with type 2 diabetes choose to use an insulin pump to make their lives easier. There’s no single set of criteria that you must fulfill in order to get one. However, they're recommended for people who:

• Have trouble keeping their blood glucose levels controlled
• Need small doses of insulin
• Don’t have a regular eating schedule
• Are getting ready to get pregnant
• Want more control over their insulin and glucose levels
• Have gastroparesis (absorb food slowly)
• Experience the dawn phenomenon (high blood sugar in the morning)
• Experience a lot of low blood sugar moments
• Want a pump
• Are physically active regularly and need to change or adjust their insulin where they are
• Can commit to using the pump safely

In addition, there are some people who should probably not get an insulin pump. This includes people with vision problems, people who struggle to use their hands in precise ways, and people who might struggle to keep their pump attached in a way that doesn’t trigger severe skin allergies or who are sensitive to how it feels on their body.

In the past, insulin pumps were mostly used for people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. However, they’re becoming more common for people with type 2 diabetes who are havinging trouble controlling their blood sugar levels with traditional methods alone. The number of people with type 2 diabetes using pumps is increasing, likely for some of the reasons outlined below.

Pros of an Insulin Pump

People choose insulin pumps because, for them, the pros outweigh any possible cons. Here are some of the benefits they offer:

• If you have one, they can work with your continuous glucose monitor to make tracking blood sugar and managing it much easier.
• You won’t have to have as many injections.
• They let you control the amount of insulin you get more precisely based on what you eat or your exercise habits.
• You can be more spontaneous about when and what you eat, as well as when and what you do for exercise.
• You can download your data, which may help your doctors understand your body better and make better recommendations for you in the future.
• They offer better overall control of your blood sugar levels.
• People seem to like them better, as they report better quality of life when they’re using a pump.

Potential Cons of an Insulin Pump

There can also be some downsides to using an insulin pump. Most people don’t experience all of these. Here are some of the cons you might experience:

• You need to have a CGM or continue to test your blood sugar the traditional way.
• The pumps need servicing every two to three days or the insulin can crystallize, which can affect how much you get.
• You may get skin infections or skin irritations related to having something under your skin for a few days at a time.
• Pumps can malfunction in a number of ways: They can get bent or kinked under your skin, the parts can become disconnected, or you can have adhesive problems.
• Pumps are more complicated than daily injections. You have to learn how to use the pump, troubleshoot problems, and change out the part under your skin regularly.
• If your pump has tubing, it can get caught on objects and leave you sore for a few days.
• Pumps can stop working because they run out of battery or break down.

How Much Does an Insulin Pump Cost?

It’s impossible to know exactly how much an insulin pump will cost. These costs fluctuate based on where you live, what kind of pump you get, and more. Your overall costs will include:

• The initial pump purchase
• Regular supplies for the pump
• Pump repair and maintenance

Your insurance may cover all or part of these costs. You may also be able to get financial assistance or negotiate some costs. You should be able to find out whether you have insurance coverage and what your pump and supplies will cost up front, so you can make an informed decision about what makes the most sense for you right now.

Talk to Your Doctor About an Insulin Pump

If you’re interested in learning more about insulin pumps, talk to your doctor. They should be able to walk through the pumps that would be the best options for you, as well as any pros and cons that are specific to your body and your situation.

Your healthcare team may also be able to help you figure out how much an insulin pump would cost you. They can help you get prior authorization from your insurance company if you need it. This is a process where they tell the insurance company about a treatment you need so the company can approve it ahead of time.

Finally, your doctor will help you learn how to use your new insulin pump so that it’s safe and effective. This can be complicated, and they’ll make sure you’re comfortable with it before they send you home with it. They will also tell you if and when you need to continue to check your blood sugar levels. This ensures the pump is working and your body is responding appropriately. They should also follow up with you to make sure the pump continues to be a good way for you to manage your type 2 diabetes.

Talk With Others Who Understand

DiabetesTeam is the social network for people with diabetes and their loved ones. On DiabetesTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with diabetes.

Do you use an insulin pump? What has been your experience with it? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.