Hi S.,
My dad has Type 1 Diabetes and has gone from using the regular shots several times a day to an insulin pump. I am positive it is a MiniMed. It has been really great for him. Not only does it take less time, as far as only needing to insert it every 3-4 days but also each meal he just calculates how much insulin he should need and enters that number in to the pump which looks like a pager. It disperses the extra insulin over a period of time. He also is able to program it, so that during times that he may get a high or low like in the middle of the night, it is already working for him. He also is able to download his "stats" wirelessly to his computer, and then email those to his MD. He used to be on a rotating shift, so being able to monitor what is happening with those types of changes is a big difference.
The other thing that is nice about it, like during holidays when he eats a little more, is that the pump has a signal when he has a certain amount of insulin left, like a low tank of gas. This allows him about 4 hours before he knows he needs to change it out. Another great feature is that if he doesn't change it out after a certain time, a safety alert is in place.
I think my dad's equipment is covered, and he gets new equipment every two-three years. (He's had two pumps now)The insulin is like the regular co-pay. The testing strips and stuff may cost what a co-pay costs, but he orders it and has it shipped to him. I think it may have cost him more initially, getting started up, but the cost really outweighs how handy it has been, and how well he has been able to control his diabetes.
I hope this helps! If you would like more detailed info. I can get that for you. I'm VERY excited that you and your husband are looking at this option! It really has been a lifesaver for my dad!
M.