Where do I start?

If you are not on a Medtronic insulin pump, call your team at SSD and we will point you in the right direction.

If you are on a Medtronic insulin pump, you need to know what your warranty date is. If you are on commercial insurance, Medicaid, or Tricare, you are eligible for a new insulin pump through insurance every 4 years. If you are on Medicare, your warranty – or time to a new pump – is 5 years*.

*We agree, this is stupid. Write your congressman.

Don’t know your warranty? Call Medtronic 1-800-646-4633 or your Territory Manager.

If you are out of warranty, you get a new, upgraded pump through insurance. All copays and deductibles apply. Medtronic will check this for you.

If you are NOT out of warranty, you have the option to do a “Pathway Upgrade” if your warranty date is more than 6 months away, or wait to upgrade via insurance when you are out of warranty.

Pathway Upgrade enables an in-warranty (4 or 5 year, greater than 6 months) upgrade – in house, with Medtronic. This does not touch your insurance. Your warranty date remains the same. The cost is $199 if you are already on a Guardian sensor, or $299 if you are not on a Guardian sensor (including no sensor, Dexcom®, or Libre®).

I’m on 770G. Now what?

You are already eligible to upgrade to 780G. Follow these steps:

1. 1. Go to http://www.diabetes.shop and either Log In or Create an Account.
   2. Sign up for the 780G upgrade beginning May 15, 2023 at 11am PST (2pm EST).
   3. On June 1 (*SSD patients only), the new Guardian 4 transmitters will begin to ship.
   4. When your transmitter ships, you will receive a link to watch a mandatory 45-minute welcome video. You must complete this video in its entirety to move onto the next step.
   5. When the video is complete, you will receive a separate link to download an app [NAME]. This will initiate your 780G software download.
      • Time Required: 2 hours
      • Patient Input Required
        • Unpair current Guardian 3 transmitter
        • Pair new Guardian 4 transmitter
        • The app will prompt you for both when required
        • Your download will be paused until you complete both steps
        • You will be notified when the software download is complete
   6. After the download is complete, you will be prompted to Install the update.
   • Time Required: 20 minutes

When installation is complete, you are up and running on 780G with Guardian 4!

What about my insulin pump settings?

Two settings are new but are automatically transferred over during the download and installation process. Your other settings are automatically transferred.

New Settings

• Active insulin time of 2 hours (2:00)
• Blood glucose target (BG Target) of 100 mg/dL

Current Settings – Unchanged

• Manual basal rate(s)
• Insulin to carb ratio (ICR)
• Insulin sensitivity factor (ISF)
• Max basal rate
• Max bolus dosage

Why are there new settings?

The clinical trials for 780G determined the Best Practice settings to improve Time in Range and reduce hypoglycemia. The Best Practice settings are:

• Active insulin time of 2 hours (2:00)
• BG target 100 mg/dL

The BG target can be adjusted to either 100 mg/dL, 110 mg/dL, or 120 mg/dL. This decision should be made in conjunction with your healthcare provider based on individualized patient risks.

What are the benefits of upgrading to 780G with Guardian 4?

Algorithm + Guardian 4 works together to manage your insulin delivery and glucose control.

Algorithm – the software that runs your pump

• SmartGuard automated insulin delivery
  • “Auto mode”
• Automated basal delivery
  • Every 5 minutes
  • Target glucose level of 100 mg/dL – the lowest available glucose target on the market
  • Optional glucose targets of 110 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL
• Automated mealtime correction
  • Every 5 minutes when needed
  • Target glucose level of 120 mg/dL
  • Ability to sense the difference between a mealtime rise in glucose – versus glucose rise from medication or stress
• Improved time in range (TIR)
  • The percentage of your glucose levels that are in the recommended range of 70-180 mg/dL
    • Includes fasting and mealtime glucose levels
  • 80-95% TIR with recommended settings
    • Active insulin time 2:00
    • BG target 100 mg/dL
  • Reduced hypoglycemia
    • The algorithm + CGM looks 2 hours into the future to predict if your glucose level will drop below 80 mg/dL
    • SmartGuard will increase, decrease, or pause insulin delivery every 5 minutes to target your glucose level to 100 mg/dL

Guardian 4 – continuous glucose monitoring

• No calibrations (!!!)
  • Yes, finally!
• Only 1 finger stick required to enter SmartGuard
  • No additional finger sticks required if you remain in SmartGuard
  • This also permits you to fill test strips through your insurance
  • Not all plans permit patients on Dexcom® or Libre® to fill test strips since calibrations are recommended but not required
• Change every 7 days
  • Aligns with the Medtronic 7-day infusion set and reservoir
• Uses the same sensor
  • The part that sticks to your arm
  • You will get a new transmitter (white plastic shell piece)
  • Transmitter still requires charging
  • Replace the transmitter every 12 months

Technology

• Enhanced smartphone app
• Now works with Apple® Watch

What if I don’t have a smartphone or home internet?

Your team at SSD is here to help. We’ve made arrangements with our Medtronic team to support you. We can help you view the mandatory 45-minute video as well as download and install the software upgrade. We will have dedicated smartphones on site and the ability to use our guest WiFi network.

*Please bring a book or something to amuse yourself during the 2-3 hour download and installation phase. We are entertaining – but not that entertaining 😊

Am I eligible for the 780G upgrade if my supplies ship from a company other than Medtronic?

Yes, but not until August 2023. If you use a durable medical equipment company (such as Edgepark, Edwards, CCS Medical, or Byram), you will either keep your current 770G pump and use the software download phase detailed above or receive a new 780G insulin pump. You will receive the new Guardian 4 transmitter at the same time.

Does Dr. Stallings recommend upgrading to 780G?

Yes! Call the office if you have any additional questions. You can also call Medtronic and/or your Territory Manager if you have questions or are ready to upgrade.

Southside Diabetes      757-659-9903
Medtronic                       1-800-646-4633

Disclaimer: Dr. Stallings is a compensated speaker for Medtronic Diabetes. All opinions stated here are hers alone and are not endorsed by Medtronic.

.

Contact Us