Diabetes

Update on Medtronic's Guardian Connect CGM System

Healthy Living Medical Supply’s Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Team had the opportunity to participate in a live webinar yesterday from Medtronic – the focus of the session was their new stand-alone CGM product known as the Guardian Connect CGM System. Our team has been eagerly anticipating the launch of this product since the product received FDA approval back in March.

Here are a few highlights of what we learned about the product during the webinar:

1.     The Guardian Connect transmitter connects via Bluetooth technology to iPhones (and iPod Touch devices if you can purchase one on eBay)

2.     The sensor is the same as the one used for the 670G closed loop system, but the Guardian Connect transmitter DOES NOT communicate with the 670G pump. The transmitter is labeled “GC” which differentiates it from the transmitter used with the 670G pump.

3.     The system does not have a receiver—this will be a great benefit to those patients who don’t want to haul around another piece of hardware.

4.     Android support is coming-Medtronic is targeting the end of the calendar year for Android users.

5.     The sensor features a new barrier which helps mitigate against skin irritation – this is also the smallest sensor ever for a Medtronic CGM product.

6.     Sensor wear time is up to 7 days and the system includes a one-year warranty.

7.     The system features a range of alerts, including predictive alerts which can notify of highs and lows anywhere from 10-60 minutes in advance.

8.     Patients can invite up to five care partners to view data and receive alerts via SMS and data is easily shared with providers via the Care Link system.

9.     The Guaurdian Connect CGM System providers users access to the Sugar.IQ diabetes assistant, which is a separate application on the phone. The Sugar.IQ app takes real time data from the Guardian Connect app, sync with IBM’s Watson, and then presents various insulin, food and motivational insights to the user.

Medtronic’s Guardian Connect Smart CGM system is slated to be released in early summer. The system is not approved by Medicare, but should be reimbursed by most major commercial insurances including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, Priority Health, etc.

If you are a patient and wish to learn more about the Guradian Connect Smart CGM system, visit this link.

For providers interested in learning more, visit this link.

If you would like to be contacted by Healthy Living once this system becomes available, please fill out the brief form below:

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Healthy Living Holiday Hours

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We hope your holiday preparations and festivities have been wonderful so far! We have a busy couple of weeks coming up with lots to celebrate! We want to let you know about Healthy Living’s hours for the rest of the year to make it as easy as possible to reach us, and so you can plan ahead (and make sure you have all the supplies you need on hand).

  • Friday, 12/22: 8:30 am – 6 pm (Regular Hours)
  • Saturday, 12/23 – Monday, 12/25: Closed
  • Tuesday, 12/26 – Friday, 12/29: 8:30 am – 6 pm (Regular Hours)
  • Saturday, 12/30 – Monday, 1/1: Closed
  • Tuesday, 1/2/2018: Regular Hours Resume (8:30 am – 6 pm on weekdays & 9 am – 3 pm on Saturdays)

Stay warm and we’ll talk to you soon!

We love to help!

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Manage Your Diabetes in the Workplace Better than Ever

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You Know What They Say – Be Prepared

A passionate diabetes advocate, Kelly Kunik wrote the very thoughtful post ‘Taking Your Diabetes to Work’ on the Mango Health blog this February. She talks about the importance of being ready for anything and makes great suggestions, like doing blood sugar checks before you hit the road to and from work. Kelly also gives tips about some of the best ways to communicate (addressing who, when, and how?) about living with diabetes with coworkers and supervisors.

Some other subjects that Kelly covers include:

·       Understanding your rights in the workplace

·       Prepping for meetings and presentations

·       Having a designated “d drawer” with snacks and go-tos for times of low blood sugar

·       Preparing for commutes

About the Author

Kelly Kunik has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was eight years old. Her greatest perceived weakness (a busted pancreas) has become her greatest strength and biggest passion. Kelly is a diabetes advocate that authors the blog, Diabetesaliciousness. She’s also a writer, speaker, consultant, and creator of the #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes initiative. You can find Kelly on Twitter @diabetesalish.

(excerpt from Mango Health)

WE LOVE TO HELP.

  • Call us @ (866)779-8512 or text us @ (248)577-9903.
  • Reach us through online chat at myhlms.com.
  • Sign up for the Healthy Living Blog at myhlms.com/subscribe.
  • Check out our online store at store.myhlms.com for accessories and over-the-counter medications.
  • Visit myhlms.com/providers to electronically complete and sign prescriptions for patients.

 

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A Big Welcome to MHS Health Wisconsin Members!

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Healthy Living Medical Supply has recently become an in-network provider with MHS Health Wisconsin, a managed care company based in Milwaukee. We are excited to offer MHS Health Wisconsin members a broad product selection from a range of diabetes suppliers, including Medtronic and Tandem Diabetes insulin pumps and pump supplies. Healthy Living is ready to provide members with exceptional customer care, including options for text messaging, online chat, refill reminders, and online enrollment.

MHS Health Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation and is committed to improving the health of the community through their focus on the individual, a whole health approach, and local involvement.

Our Healthy Living team is looking forward to assisting you with your diabetes supply needs! MHS Health Wisconsin members, get started on our Easy Enrollment page!

We’re here to help!

·       Reach us through online chat at myhlms.com.

·       Text us @ (248)577-9903 or call us @ (866)779-8512.

·       Check out our new online store at myhlms.com/shop for accessories and over-the-counter medications.

·       Visit myhlms.com/providers to electronically complete and sign prescriptions for patients.

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Healthy Living’s Online Retail Store Makes Life Simpler

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Healthy Living continues its focused work to make life easier for customers with an online retail store, offering products like over-the-counter medications, diabetes testing supplies, and insulin pump accessories. The store provides the ability for clients to order diabetes-related products with no shipping costs when delivered with an insurance-covered Healthy Living Medical Supply order. 

George Krantz is leading Healthy Living in keeping the store running smoothly – processing orders, handling inventory, answering questions, and adding products. The hope is to eventually grow the product selection in the store to around 500 items. According to George, the store expansion will happen through a dynamic process of working with patients. The customer service team suggests products to clients and also actively encourages customers to share any ideas for additional store stock.  

With a unique product selection aimed toward people with diabetes, the Healthy Living Medical Supply online store is a great place to find items you wouldn’t come across at your neighborhood drug store. As George said earlier today, “It’s a one stop shop.” The best, patient-centered customer service possible, combined with access to necessary supplies, creates a special opportunity to help patients living with diabetes make their lives easier. 

Check out the new Healthy Living Medical Supply online store at myhlms.com/shop!