Insulin Pump Program

Insulin Pump

Insulin Pump Program

After intense advocacy and campaigning by JDRF the Federal Government’s Insulin Pump Program (IPP) was established in 2008. The IPP provides insulin pumps to children and young adults under 21 years of age with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and meet the financial and clinical eligibility requirements. This life changing technology would otherwise be out of reach for these individuals.

Since its inception the IPP has provided over 2100 insulin pumps to children and young adults with T1D. JDRF has continued to advocate to expand the program based on the unmet demand from families. In the 2018-19 Budget, the government provided additional funding to the Insulin Pump Program, allowing approximately 220 children to access fully subsidised insulin pumps each year. In the 2022 election, bipartisan support was obtained for the expansion of the Program to include young adults up to 21 years of age. Currently, children and young adults are now able to access up to 255 pumps through the Program, if eligible.

Learn more about insulin pumps here.

Have more questions? Send an email to pumps@jdrf.org.au.

Apply for the program here

What has the Insulin Pump Program achieved?

The details of the Insulin Pump Program

JDRF are the administrators of the Federal Government Insulin Pump Program. To improve access to the program, the Government has introduced a number of changes since its inception. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The number of pumps fully subsidised under the program has increased to approximately 255 pumps per year.
  • The pumps available under the Insulin Pump Program are: the Minimed 770G (Medtronic).
  • Pumps are given with approximately three months’ initial supply of pump consumables.
Click here to apply
Quote

‘Like winning the lottery’

When I got the call from JDRF to say that Lily had been successful and was now a recipient of a JDRF Insulin Pump it was what I imagine winning the lottery feels like. We have only had the insulin pump for two weeks now but the difference it has made to Lily’s quality of life is magical. She’s a much happier little girl who isn’t afraid of meal times and the injections that come with eating. I am so thankful for the support of JDRF and the Federal Government.
– Chelsea, South Australia

Eligibility for the Insulin Pump Program

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.
  • 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. For more details regarding eligibility please refer to the FAQs below. You can also contact pumps@jdrf.org.au with any questions.

Click here to apply

IPP

Frequently asked questions about insulin pumps and the program

 

How will I know if insulin pump therapy is right for me or my child?

You will need to discuss the suitability of insulin pump therapy for yourself or your child with your/your child’s healthcare team.

 

Who is eligible for a fully subsidised insulin pump?

To be eligible to receive an insulin pump under the program, an applicant must not be in receipt of, or be eligible to receive, any other means of reimbursement, including reimbursement via private health insurance, which may be used to assist the applicant to purchase an insulin pump. The applicant (or child on whose behalf the application is made), must be under 21 years of age on the date of application, and must hold or be listed on a current Medicare card.

Income eligibility

The applicant’s combined annual family income must be less than or equal to $108,892. This amount is based on FTB A for a family with one child and subject to annual changes made by Centrelink. Some consideration may be given for certain circumstances, please contact the IPP team at JDRF to discuss.

Applicants with an annual family income of more than $108,892 are not eligible to receive the subsidy unless they are caring for more than one child with T1D. Please contact the IPP team at JDRF for further information.

 

Clinical eligibility

As part of the application process, your healthcare team (diabetes educator and paediatrician/endocrinologist) will be required to confirm that you meet the following clinical eligibility criteria:

  • The recipient has T1D
  • The recipient will benefit from a transition to, or continued insulin pump therapy
  • The recipient/carer has demonstrated willingness to check blood glucose levels four or more times per day
  • The recipient/carer has demonstrated competence at injecting insulin using pens/syringes
  • The insulin pump initiation will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team
  • The initiating team makes a commitment to the transition and a system to ensure follow-up and ongoing support
 

I have private health insurance. Am I able to get an insulin pump subsidy? 

You will not be eligible to receive an insulin pump under this program if you have access to other means of reimbursement, such as private health insurance.

Australians with private health insurance covering insulin pumps will generally be eligible for full reimbursement of their pump by their health fund, following the relevant waiting period attached to their cover. If you have private health insurance, please contact your insurer for more information about how to receive funding through private health insurance.

 

Which insulin pumps are available under the insulin pump subsidy?

The following pump is available under the Insulin Pump Program: MiniMed 770G (Medtronic).

These pumps will be supplied with approximately three months’ initial supply of pump consumables.

 

Are the pumps available under the program waterproof?

The MiniMed 770G (Medtronic) provide waterproof protection up to 3.6m for up to 24 hours.

We recommend that you check with the respective pump manufacturer for more information and clarification.

 

Are the pumps available compatible with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices available through the NDSS?

There are a range of CGM devices available through the NDSS. Pump recipients who wish to use CGM technology have the option to select a CGM device that works with their pump or, where a compatible device is not available, they are able to select a CGM device that works independently of an insulin pump.

 

Do I need to do anything extra to access insulin pump consumables?

The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) provides access to a large range of subsidised products to help people with diabetes manage their condition. These products include subsidised insulin pump consumables for approved persons.

Healthcare teams can complete the NDSS Registration Form and/or Insulin Pump Consumables Assessment Form as appropriate. Once your patient has registered with the NDSS, they will be able to purchase subsidised products through the NDSS. For more information, please contact the NDSS on 1300 136 588. Alternatively, you can email at ndss@diabetesaustralia.com.au or visit the NDSS website.

 

How will I know if my application is successful?

You will receive a phone call and email from JDRF after your clinical eligibility has been confirmed, to let you know that you have been approved for a fully subsidised insulin pump under the program.

 

What happens in funding is exhausted while my application is being processed?

In the circumstance where your application has been assessed as eligible for subsidy and the funding for the program has been exhausted, your application will be put on a waiting list for eligible applicants and you will be informed about the status of your application by JDRF Australia.

 

Will I receive the subsidy payment directly?

Program recipients will be receiving their pumps fully subsidised by the program. No payments will be made to the applicants or the recipients.

 

Can I ‘opt out’ of the process once I start?

You can opt out at any time of the process by contacting JDRF.

 

I have more than one child with type 1 diabetes, how will this affect me?

Applicants with a combined family income of up to $108, 892 will be eligible to receive a fully subsidised insulin pump for each of their children living with type 1 diabetes.

Applicants with a family income of more than $108,892 are not eligible to receive an insulin pump through the Insulin Pump Program unless they are caring for more than one child with type 1 diabetes. Please contact the IPP team at JDRF for further details.

 

Can I apply for the replacement pump?

Subject to continuing to meet the program criteria, previous recipients can apply for a new pump subsidy under the following circumstances:

  • The manufacturer’s warranty (generally 4 years) on the insulin pump has expired.
  • Recipients who received their insulin pumps under the Program between their 17th and 18th birthday (inclusive) can lodge an application for a new pump prior to the expiry of their pump warranty. These recipients can apply for a new pump between three (3) months prior to their 21st birthday and one (1) day prior to their 21st birthday. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, the place of their application in the waiting list and the availability of funds, these recipients will be eligible to receive a replacement pump when the warranty of their existing pump expires.

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