The app is called Freestyle Libre, and it has gained a lot of traction as a complement to diabetes control and monitoring.
To use the application, you need a sensor that is worn on the arm.
How it works?
The first point is, download the app, which is available for Android and iPhone, the app is light and super easy to download, it doesn't take up much space.
But what information can the App deliver?
You can use the FreeStyle LibreLink app to:
- View your current glucose reading, trend arrow, and glucose history
- Add notes to track your food, insulin use, and exercise
- View reports such as Time on Target and Daily Patterns
- Share your data with your doctor and family, with your permission.
The FreeStyle LibreLink aims to measure glucose levels in individuals with diabetes when used with the sensor.
For more information on how to use FreeStyle LibreLink, see the User Manual, which can be accessed through the app.
It's worth remembering that just the app, without the sensor, it's not possible to monitor.
How to get the sensor?
The sensor is a device that will read and communicate with the application, which in turn can be found in different locations, such as: Pharmacies, Mercado Livre, health equipment stores, etc.
The average price on 27/09/21, the day we wrote this article, was R$ 250.00, this is on the internet, prices in in-person stores may vary depending on your state and city.
Can SUS cover the cost of the sensor?
A clearly complicated point is the value we left above, it is expensive for most Brazilians, so the question arises, should the SUS pay for this type of device?
This is a delicate subject, because according to reports, even though the sensor is something essential for people with diabetes, the SUS has denied the obligation to pay for this device, however, when contacting some law firms, we identified an increase in the number of people questioning this decision.
On lawyer Elton Fernandes' website, he points out that:
"As we know, if Diabetes is not controlled properly, it can cause irreversible damage to important organs in our body, mainly attacking the kidneys and thus developing an extremely complicated clinical picture for treatment."
and keeps going:
“This time, if we look at it from an economic perspective, it is much cheaper for the State to provide this sensor so that the patient can control the disease, preventing it from evolving into a more serious condition, such as compromised kidney function.
Evidently, if kidney function is compromised, the State will have to pay for an extremely more expensive and painful treatment, and it is unwise to say no.”
Therefore, the understanding of the São Paulo Court of Justice is that the SUS must pay for Sensor Libre, as long as two requirements are met: the need, via a medical report, and the financial need, via proof of income.
Sources:
Libre Sensor – should the SUS pay for it? Understand now! – Elton Fernandes – SP