When you start your type 1 diabetes (T1D) journey you’ll be thrown into a whole new world – one that seemingly has its own vocabulary and devices you’ve never heard of. Read on to learn about insulin pumps and how they can help people manage their T1D.
What is an insulin pump?
An insulin pump is a small device that’s worn outside the body. It holds a reservoir of rapid-acting insulin, and is programmed to deliver a continuous dose of rapid-acting insulin throughout the day and night. It’s used instead of having to give multiple daily injections.
Insulin pumps can help improve blood glucose control, mealtime flexibility and quality of life. Unlike continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps don’t check your blood glucose level – they just deliver insulin.
Watch the video below, created by Breakthrough T1D UK.
How does an insulin pump work?
There are two types of insulin pumps: pumps with a tube (tethered), and tubeless. In both types, insulin is delivered to the body through something called an infusion set.
Tubed or tethered pumps have a thin plastic tube that connects the pump and a fine needle or cannula that sits just under the skin. The insulin passes from the pump, through the tube, into the cannula, and then enters the body. The needle or cannula needs to be changed every 2 to 3 days.
Tubeless insulin pumps, also called pod pumps or tubeless patch pumps, also have a small cannula, but don’t have any tubing. Instead, the insulin pump, or pod – which is about the size of a matchbox – attaches directly to your skin. This needs to be replaced every 3 days.
You can take off a tubed pump for about an hour to 90 minutes if you need to (for example, if you’re swimming or having a shower). Tubeless pumps are waterproof and are worn until you’re ready to replace it.
Depending on the type of pump, you can input information about the insulin you need via the pump screen, a phone app or a personal delivery manager (PDM).
Insulin pumps and insulin delivery
Along with delivering a continuous dose of rapid-acting insulin throughout the day and night (known as basal insulin), the pump can be programmed to deliver a surge of insulin (known as bolus insulin) when eating a meal or correcting a high blood glucose level.
Pumps use lots of information to calculate a bolus insulin dose, including:
- your insulin to carbohydrate ratios (the grams of carbohydrate that 1 unit of insulin will cover)
- your insulin sensitivity or correction factors (the mmol/L change in blood glucose per 1 unit of insulin over 2 to 4 hours)
- your target glucose ranges.
Pumps can be programmed to vary the rate of insulin delivery based on the time of the day, tailored to personal needs (such as getting more insulin in the morning and less overnight). They can be set to temporarily adjust the insulin delivery rate when insulin needs are higher or lower, such as when you’re stressed or more active.
Pumps can be programmed with an active insulin time (how long it takes for bolus insulin to do its job). This helps reduce the risk of insulin stacking, or overcorrecting. Insulin stacking is what happens when doses of rapid-acting insulin are taken close together, and can lead to low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia ).
Some pumps, when used in conjunction with compatible continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), have the ability to alter insulin delivery. Insulin delivery can either be stopped, decreased or increased based on the sensor glucose reading. This can have the added benefit of helping prevent hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia with minimal input needed from the person living with T1D.
Is an insulin pump right for you (or your child)?
Choosing to use an insulin pump is a very personal decision, but there are a few things that are commonly listed as advantages or disadvantages. A 2011 study for the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare polled over 5000 people who live with T1D, across a variety of ages, and revealed the following pros and cons of using an insulin pump.
Pros of using an insulin pump
- Fitted in better with lifestyle (86% of respondents)
- Better diabetes control (83% of respondents)
- Relocating the cannula was better than multiple daily injections (76% of respondents)
- Convenient (71% of respondents)
Cons of using an insulin pump
- Expense of insulin pump consumables (32% of respondents)
- Relocating cannula or tubing (16% of respondents)
- Didn’t like wearing the pump (15% of respondents)
If you (or your child) are considering pump therapy, or are trying to get the most benefit out of your insulin pump, you should discuss your options and maintain regular contact with your healthcare team. They will be able to offer advice tailored to you, specific for your health and your lifestyle.
How much does an insulin pump cost?
Insulin pumps are covered by some private health insurance policies. Often, you’ll need to serve a waiting period of 12 months to qualify to claim for a pump from your health fund, but most pump manufacturers will loan you a pump to use during this waiting period.
The cost of the pump itself is around $7000 to $10,000 to purchase outright. The consumables required for the pump are subsidised by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) and cost around $20 to $30 a month.
What is the Insulin Pump Program?
The Federal Government Insulin Pump Program, administered by Breakthrough T1D, provides insulin pumps to families who have children and young adults under 21 years of age with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who meet the financial and clinical eligibility requirements.
In 2025, the pump available under the Insulin Pump Program is the YPSOMED mylife YpsoPump. This is given with approximately a one-month initial supply of pump consumables.
Learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for the Insulin Pump Program.