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By Gates Guarin

Program to be discontinued on Aug. 1

Pushback as provincial government makes changes to insulin pump coverage

May 5, 2022 | 4:01 PM

There has been significant pushback from organizations around the province about the announcement made by the Alberta government on changes to insulin pump coverage on May 2.

The Insulin Pump Therapy Program will be discontinued on Aug. 1, and benefits will be transferred to government-sponsored health plans. This means anyone receiving benefits through the program will now need to sign up for new coverage.

Health Minister Jason Copping says the changes are to allow the government to provide access to newer, more advanced models of insulin pumps.

“Alberta’s government recognizes that Albertans living with diabetes want access to the most innovative equipment available,” Copping says. “Having access to the most recent technology will better support them and help them to more effectively manage their condition.”

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The news has raised several concerns, most around cost. Insulin pumps and supplies can range in the thousands of dollars.

According to the Alberta government, around 4,000 people are currently receiving pumps and supplies through the current program at no cost.

Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare, says the move means Albertans living with diabetes will have to make difficult choices about their medications.

“We think it’s a very short-sighted decision,” Gallaway says. “[t]he minister talks about savings as good news, but really it’s going to cost folks thousands of dollars more per year, and we know the consequence of that will be costs to the health care system because people won’t be taking their medication properly, they’ll make choices based on cost.”

Gallaway says it has only been less than a decade since insulin pumps were covered by the province.

As for what’s next, Gallaway believes the concern will only grow.

“I think they’re going to see a lot more backlash than they think,” Gallaway says. “Just within a day and a half, we’ve seen a lot of backlash and I think we will probably see some actions pushing them to reverse this decision in the weeks ahead.”