We are so fortunate in the United States to have a variety of AID Systems to choose from. For many years, the options were very limited. Omnipod was founded in the year 2000 after a father of a boy with type 1 diabetes wanted a pump that was easier for his active child to wear.1 The first tubeless pump was brought to market in 2003. Now, the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is used by an estimated 425,000 active global customers.2 One of my colleagues from Cincinnati Children’s, Molly Williams, lives with T1D and has been wearing the Omnipod 5 System since it came out in 2022.
Molly is a social worker who has worked at Cincinnati Children’s for the last 5 years in the endocrinology department and has lived with T1D for 22 years. I asked her a variety of questions to get her insight into what she likes about the system, what challenges she has had, how she has overcome them, and why she chooses to keep wearing it. Here is what she has to say about the system.
Marissa: What made you choose the Omnipod 5 System? What factors were most appealing?
Molly: I was very motivated to try out the tubeless Omnipod 5 System. I had been a faithful Medtronic user for many years, since starting a pump back in 2008-ish. It really was the only thing I ever knew! I am an active person though and never truly found a system that worked for me to hold a tubed pump to my body during activity without bouncing or pulling down my clothing. I was excited to learn that Omnipod would be coming out with an automated insulin delivery system, and I wanted to give it a try. I have LOVED the tubeless feature and is the main reason I continue to use this system- it just fits for my lifestyle.
Marissa: What are some positive aspects of the system?
Molly: I love that I can now control Omnipod 5 on my iPhone,3 and I no longer have to carry and keep track of the Controller. Pod changes are simple and very easy and quick to complete. I love that all supplies for the pump come in one small package, so it’s easy to pack and store when traveling.
Marissa: When switching to the iPhone App, what did you notice? Were there any benefits or difficulties?
Molly: Being able to easily toggle to my history, rather than navigating through the menu to access it, has been a great way to review how I’ve been managing. It has been so great to only have my iPhone, and not the Controller as well, to manage my diabetes.3 No more do people ask me, “why do you have two cell phones?” and this has greatly aided feelings of burnout and helping to normalize how I am managing my diabetes. The transition to the iPhone App was very smooth and all features from the Controller essentially seem to have transitioned smoothly the phone App.
Marissa: What are your reasons for staying on the Omnipod 5 System?
Molly: It fits my lifestyle! I like being active and the Omnipod 5 allows me to wear a pump but forget about the fact that I’m wearing a pump. I do not have to deal with tubing getting caught on things or my pump pulling at my clothing. The Pod is small enough and able to be hidden if I choose to. I can wear a dress easily without thinking about how my pump will be held. Being able to use an app to manage my diabetes is truly amazing when I think back to how it used to be managed
Marissa: Any other comments that would help people who may be interested in using the system?
Molly: I think this is a very easy to use system for people who may be nervous about trying an insulin pump for the first time. I think it also probably feels less daunting for some who might feel a bit intimidated by a pump. For me, accessibility is also very important. Being able to access Omnipod through the pharmacy benefit, along with all my other diabetes and medical supplies, is a huge convenience and makes it easier to stay organized with my supplies and refills.
This also removes the pressure of commitment for some, as there is no 4-year lock in period for this system. This could allow a PWD to potentially try out the system and move on to a different one if it is not a good fit for their needs, or even to switch between different methods of managing T1DM depending on season of the year, or season of life for an individual. For me, Omnipod allows me a bit more freedom, and allows me to feel like I am not ‘tied down’ to anything.
Choice matters
No matter which AID system you choose, having the option of making that choice is so important. Years ago it was often the insurance company dictating your healthcare decisions. This may still be the case for many parts of diabetes management supplies, and there are sometimes added hoops to jump through such as prior authorizations or statements of medical necessity. Typically, your diabetes healthcare team should have a good understanding of the system and be able to support you in your choice.
Flexibility
One of the major benefits with the Omnipod 5 System is the ability to get the Pods through your pharmacy benefit. This can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket costs related to diabetes supplies. It also could potentially let you switch between Omnipod 5 and a tubed pump system within the 4-year warranty of the tubed pump system. Like Molly mentioned, you could wear it for a season throughout the year, and many choose to do this for summer or intensive sports seasons.
For parents with kids who live with diabetes, Omnipod 5 is one of the AID systems that allows remote bolusing. This means that when your kiddo is grabbing all the yummy foods off the buffet at the family holiday dinner, you can bolus from the Controller or the phone with the App.3 Not only is this helpful for the tiny tots who seem to be constantly in motion, but it can help when they are in their teens and going through burnout. Many teens and young adults prefer Omnipod over other insulin pumps because of the ability to bolus discreetly from the Controller or phone.
No matter what season of life or diabetes you are in, using an AID system can help make diabetes management a little easier.
*Insulet states that you can give correction boluses by tapping USE SENSOR in the SmartBolus Calculator. Giving correction boluses when needed will help the System update your Total Daily Insulin needs and adapt with each new Pod to adjust insulin dosing accordingly. Try not to override the suggestions given by the System.5
- Insulet History
- Insulet Reports Full Year 2023 Revenue Increase of 30% (30% Constant Currency1) and Fourth Quarter 2023 Revenue Increase of 38% Year-Over-Year (37% Constant Currency)
- Omnipod® 5 Smartphone Compatibility
- Omnipod 5: Dexcom G7 Sensor Issues
- Tips for Managing Glucose Levels on Omnipod 5
Written and clinically reviewed by Marissa Town, RN, BSN, CDCES
