The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Albanese Government is changing the lives for the 130,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes by subsidising access to the next generation of Omnipod insulin pumps from December 1.
The Omnipod DASH Insulin Management system includes a waterproof adhesive pod which delivers insulin to the patient, alongside a touchscreen device to program and control the pod.
The pods are disposable and replaced every three days.
The Government is subsidising the disposable pods through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) at community pharmacies.
General patients will pay a maximum co-pay of just $29.30 per month, with concession card holders paying $22.20 per month.
The Government is adding the touchscreen device to the Prostheses List, making it available to patients for free through their private health insurance.
Australians without private health insurance will be able to access the touchscreen device through a subscription fee to the device maker Insulet.
Previously patients were paying over $400 per month for the pod and touchscreen device.
The former Government promised to subsidise this life changing device in December 2021 but took no action to make it a reality.
Labor has a proud record of supporting Australians living with diabetes, extending back to Kevin Rudd's establishment of the Insulin Pump Program in 2008 and in July this year delivering on our commitment to give all Australians living with Type 1 diabetes access to subsidised CGM products.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Albanese Government is continuing to make life changing technology accessible for Australians living with type 1 diabetes."
"Subsidising this next generation technology means freedom of choice for Australians with type 1 diabetes, as well as the freedom from wires and tubes."
CEO of JDRF Australia, Mike Wilson OAM, says:
"We'd like to thank Minister Butler and his government for delivering this initiative. This funding is so important for the type 1 diabetes community, who each day must face the significant mental, social and economic toll this chronic condition brings.
"Providing people who live with type 1 diabetes more affordable access to the management technologies of their choice is key to improving health outcomes and reducing financial burden, and it's wonderful that Omnipod will now be more accessible to more people who want it.
"When combined with the increased subsidisation for continuous and flash glucose monitors as of July 1 this year which was so well-received, the 130,000 Australians living with this condition can now better harness the full power of diabetes management technologies."
