Insulin Pump Program extended to 21 years of age
The Federal Government’s Insulin Pump Program (IPP), administered by JDRF, operates to ensure children and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who do not have the means to access a pump, have a pathway to be able to use the life-changing management technology.
The IPP was established in 2008 and initially provided insulin pumps to children and adolescents up until the age of 18, who met the financial and clinical eligibility requirements. Following longstanding and dedicated advocacy from many in the T1D community, the Federal Government committed to extend the IPP to also include young adults up to 21 years of age late last year.
Why is this important?
Insulin pumps are an essential management tool for many people with T1D, but due to their cost and avenues for access, they remain out of reach for many people.
While private health insurance offers an avenue for access to insulin pumps, for many people with T1D, the costs associated with health insurance makes it, and insulin pumps, unaffordable. To purchase a pump directly without private health insurance, the out- of-pocket costs are up to $9,000.
For many families and young adults in the T1D community, this means that without offerings like the IPP, insulin pump use is not feasible.
What does the extension mean for the community?
Since its inception in 2008, the IPP has made a difference to thousands of families who have been able to access insulin pumps – and increasing the age to 21 means young adults can also benefit from insulin pump therapy.
This was the case for 20-year-old Liana. Liana was diagnosed with T1D when she was 12 and had a long journey accepting her diagnosis and feeling ready to adopt management technology as part of her T1D regime. By the time she was ready to speak to her diabetes care team about trying an insulin pump, she was over the age of 18 and did not qualify for the IPP – meaning she was trying to work out how she could manage to afford a pump herself.
A few months’ later JDRF reached out to Liana to inform her that the age range had been increased to 21. Liana and her team then applied for an insulin pump, which she is now using and loving.
About the IPP:
- Since its inception the IPP has:
- Delivered 2000+ pumps
- Avoided 12.8 million needles
- Secured $29.7 million in savings
- An estimated 346 pumps provided though the IPP each year
- The IPP offers the Minimed 770G (Medtronic) insulin pump
Eligibility for the IPP:
To be eligible to lodge an expression of interest for an insulin pump under the program, families must meet the following criteria:
- Child or young adult is under the age of 21 years
- A combined annual income of up to $108,892
- Contact us for further details if you have more than one child needing to access an insulin pump
- Do not have access to an insulin pump through private health insurance
- Eligible to access Medicare benefits
- An Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Permanent residents or those that have applied to become permanent residents may also be eligible – get in touch with the JDRF team to find out more.
JDRF is unable to guarantee that families who have expressed an interest will receive an insulin pump under the program. Families are also required to discuss the suitability of insulin pump therapy with their child’s healthcare team.
Details, such as number of pumps and income limit, may differ each year in line with any future changes to the Program. Please contact JDRF for more information.
You can apply to be an IPP recipient at this link, and learn more about the program on our website.
Contact pumps@jdrf.org.au with any questions.
