The New Brunswick Insulin Pump Program (IPP)

There have been changes to the insulin pump program eligibility and funding: 

• NEW. An Online Client Application is now available for Pump and Pump Supplies Coverage and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage. The fillable application will remain available until June 1^st 2024.

  The age cap on eligibility for coverage was removed, allowing people older than 25 to apply.

• Financial support for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is available for medically eligible New Brunswickers living with Type 1 diabetes and with Type 2 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy, requiring 3 or more insulin injections per day.

The New Brunswick Insulin Pump Program (NBIPP) supports New Brunswickers living with Type 1 diabetes who are medically eligible for insulin pump therapy. The program assists individuals in obtaining fair and affordable access to a range of insulin pump devices and the basic operating supplies including glucose monitoring sensors. Additionally, NBIPP assists individuals with type 2 diabetes requiring intensive insulin therapy  or multiple (3 or more) daily injections, in accessing continuous glucose monitoring sensors.

The client/family is responsible for a portion of the costs of the device and supplies based on their household income, household size and the selected device. Insurance coverage is also considered. Only the uninsured costs of pumps, supplies and sensors are eligible for coverage, and the uninsured amount is income-tested. Applicants with 100% insurance coverage are NOT eligible to apply.
 

Potential clients must have a valid New Brunswick Medicare number and meet the medical eligibility criteria as outlined below: 

Medical Eligibility Criteria for Pump and Pump Supplies:

• If the client is starting pump therapy, the client has NOT had more than 2 episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the previous six (6) months. Or if the client is a current pump user, the client must not have had more than one DKA during the past year.
• The client is regularly followed by the diabetes care team and the care plan is reviewed at least 2 times per year.
• The client (or parent/guardian) has sound knowledge of how to manage diabetes, including carbohydrate counting, site rotation, sick day management, etc.
• The client (or parent/guardian) is appropriately self-monitoring blood glucose, at least 4 times/day, recording results on paper or online and agrees to continue to do so.
• The client (or parent/guardian) agrees to attend a pump orientation, offered by a certified pump trainer.
• The client has appropriate family support (if applicable). 

Medical Eligibility Criteria for Continuous Glucose Monitoring:

• The client is regularly followed by the diabetes care provider and the care plan is reviewed at least 2 times per year.
• The client (or parent/guardian) has sound knowledge of how to use sensor technology appropriately, including using the data from this technology to make safe and effective diabetes management decisions.
• The client (or parent/guardian) agrees to share sensor information with the client’s diabetes care provider/team to optimize diabetes management.
• The client (or parent/guardian) agrees to complete a CGM orientation offered via web-based learning, virtual or in-person instruction by a CGM-trained vendor representative.

The client (or parent/guardian) agrees to advise the NBIPP office if they discontinue use of their sensor technology. 

The client/family may be responsible to pay for a portion of the costs of the device and supplies. The amount that a client/family is expected to contribute is based on the total household income, household size and health insurance coverage (if applicable). 

Applicants must provide copies of Notice of Assessments from the Canada Revenue Agency for the most recent taxation year for all members of the household that contribute to the household income. Applications will NOT be processed until all applicable Notice of Assessments are received.   

Household income

Except for dependents, household income considers all incomes of members of a household that are related by birth, common-law union, marriage, or adoption. All incomes that contribute to the household income must be reported.

A dependent is:

• A child of a person and/or a person’s spouse/partner living in the same household who is under 19 years of age and does not have a spouse.  Note: A child for whom child support is paid to another parent is considered a dependent of the paying parent, regardless of their primary family home.
• An individual between the ages of 19 years and 24 years who is a full-time student and does not have a spouse. The student may reside outside of the parental home while attending school.
• A child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew of a person and/or a person’s spouse/partner living in the same household who depends on them for reasons of physical or mental impairment, and who meets the criteria for the Canada Caregiver Credit under the federal Income Tax Act.

Household size

Household size considers those supported by the household income. This includes all members living in a household who are related by birth, common-law union, marriage, or adoption and all children for whom child support is being paid, regardless of their primary home. Parents may include children younger than 25 years old if they are full-time students and do not have a spouse.

Private health insurance

Applicants with 100% insurance coverage are NOT eligible to apply. Please check with your private health insurance provider before applying for coverage. Each insurer must provide you with details on the coverage for the selected pump, pump supplies and continuous glucose monitoring. This information is needed to complete the application form and is considered when calculating the amount that will be covered by the program. Only the uninsured costs of devices and supplies are eligible for coverage.

Not Covered by the Program

Insulin, blood glucose test strips and batteries are not covered by the program.

To apply for enrollment in NBIPP:

• The client, or as appropriate, the legal guardian, or substitute decision-maker must obtain medical approval from the appropriate diabetes care provider (as outlined below) for the use of the selected device and/or supplies. 
• The client, or as appropriate, the legal guardian, or substitute decision-maker, must complete the appropriate application form and submit it along with supporting financial documents.  

Documents do not have to be received by the NBIPP business office in a particular order.

For pump and pump supplies coverage:

Step 1: 

Book an appointment with your Pediatrician, Endocrinologist or Internist to complete the Confirmation of Medical Eligibility for Pump and Supplies Coverage  document  with you. Your specialist must then submit the completed document directly to the NBIPP business office by email at [email protected].

Step 2: 

Complete the Application for Pump and Pump Supplies Coverage  form. This form will collect information on insurance coverage (if applicable), household income and household size that is used to determine financial eligibility and client contribution amount. You must submit the completed form, along with copies of the required Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessments directly to the NBIPP business office by email at [email protected].

For continuous glucose monitoring coverage:  

Step 1: 

Book an appointment with your health care provider who supports the management of your diabetes to complete the Confirmation of Medical Eligibility for Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage document with you. Your health care provider must submit the completed document directly to the NBIPP business office by email at [email protected]

Step 2: 

Complete the Application for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage form. This form will collect information on health insurance coverage (if applicable), household income and household size that is used to determine financial eligibility and client contribution amount. You must submit the completed form, along with copies of the required Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessments directly to the NBIPP business office.

Note: If you are applying for both insulin pump and/or pump supplies and continuous glucose monitoring sensor coverage, both applications must be approved by the same Endocrinologist, Internist or Pediatrician. You will be required to complete the Application for Pump and Pump Supplies Coverage form as well as the Application for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage form. This is applicable to new and existing NBIPP clients.

NBIPP will not provide confirmation when client applications are received, or medical approvals are received on a client’s behalf. Potential clients will receive notification in the form of a letter ONLY after all documents (the application, Notice of Assessments and the medical approval) have been received, processed and a decision made. This can take up to 30 days. NBIPP will reach out to clients and/or diabetes care providers if any documents are incomplete or missing.  

Only the devices and supplies included in the Approved Vendor lists (below) are eligible for coverage. Insulin, blood glucose test strips and batteries are not covered by the program.

Approved vendors

• Approved Vendors: Pumps and Supplies
• Approved Vendors: Glucose Sensors

Clients must purchase and receive their devices and supplies directly from the selected device/supplies company. Once a client confirms their enrollment in the NBIPP, the selected vendor (company) is notified and is provided contact information and the client contribution amount. The vendor will contact the client directly to confirm shipping details and the client should receive their supplies in approximately 3-5 business days. The client/family pays their contribution amount for the device and/or supplies directly to the vendor. Remaining costs are billed to the province by the vendor.

Notes: 

• NBIPP clients cannot obtain their supplies through community pharmacies.
• If you are experiencing financial difficulty due to the cost of health-related expenses such as insulin and blood glucose test strips, talk to your diabetes clinic team. They may be able to help you identify where to ask for financial assistance.

Approved vendors

• Approved Vendors: Pumps and Supplies
• Approved Vendors: Glucose Sensors

 
Patient forms

• NEW. Online Client Application for Pump and Pump Supplies Coverage and Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage.
• Application for Pump and Pump Supplies Coverage 
• Application for Glucose Sensor Coverage

 
Forms for your diabetes care provider to submit:

• Confirmation of Medical Eligibility for Pump and Supplies Coverage 
• Confirmation of Medical Eligibility for Glucose Sensor Coverage
   

All applicants must reapply each year by completing the following:

For pump and pump supplies: 

• Confirmation of Medical Eligibility for Pump and Supplies Coverage document
• Application for Pump and Pump Supplies Coverage form
• Copies of Notice of Assessments from the Canada Revenue Agency for the most recent taxation year for all members of the household that contribute to the household income

For continuous glucose monitoring sensor:

• Confirmation of Medical Eligibility for Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage document
• Application for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Coverage form
• Copies of Notice of Assessments from the Canada Revenue Agency for the most recent taxation year for all members of the household that contribute to the household income

If you still have questions after reviewing the information on this website, you may contact the NBIPP Coordinator at 1-855-655-5525 or by email: [email protected]. Due to the high volume of inquiries, it may take up to 5 business days to receive a response to your inquiry.