March 19, 2025 – Saskatchewan – The Government of Saskatchewan made significant progress yesterday for people living with diabetes in Budget 2025 by announcing the expansion of public coverage for glucose monitoring systems and diabetes supplies for both seniors and young adults ages 25 and under.
Previously, the province’s coverage only included children and youth under 18 who meet specific medical criteria.Both continuous and flash glucose monitors will be covered under this change and approximately 9000 seniors over the age of 65 and 700 young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 will benefit, in addition to the 600 children and youth who are currently covered.
An estimated 10,000 people in Saskatchewan live with type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune condition in which insulin-producing cells are mistakenly destroyed by the body’s immune system. With no cure currently available, T1D is a lifelong disease that is constant and unrelenting. T1D takes a significant toll on a patient’s physical, mental, and financial well-being. Even with proper management, individuals living with T1D is at risk of complications, including kidney disease, blindness, amputation, and even death.
T1D requires daily management of blood glucose levels, balanced against external insulin administration, given either by pump, pen or multiple daily injections. Devices such as advanced glucose monitors provide real-time information on these levels, allowing the user to know whether they are trending high or low and make the necessary adjustments before it becomes an issue requiring treatment including potential hospitalization. They help people with T1D spend more time ‘in range’ which can also help prevent future T1D-related complications.
Expanded and affordable access to T1D devices like glucose monitors allows for improved health outcomes and better self-management for people living with T1D. These technologies are also cost-effective and help to generate significant long-term cost savings for the healthcare system due to lower costs of complications, prevented potential hospitalization, and the reduced need for additional medical interventions.
Use of diabetes devices also has positive impact on mental health, reducing some of the stress related to the management of this chronic disease. But they can add significant financial burden if there is not adequate coverage.
Through its Access for All campaign, Breakthrough T1D Canada is working alongside dedicated T1D advocates nationwide to support those who must pay out-of-pocket for life-saving diabetes technology due to insufficient coverage in their provinces. Since its launch in 2019, the campaign has sparked meaningful progress in numerous provinces and territories. However, until cures are discovered, Breakthrough T1D Canada remains committed to advocating for universal access to, and patient choice in, diabetes technologies for everyone who needs them.
For more information, please see the government’s news release here.
