The New ADA Guidelines Just Changed Insulin Delivery Forever (2026 Update)

Did you know the American Diabetes Association's 2026 Standards of Care now name automated insulin delivery (AID) as the preferred method over multiple daily injections — even for adults with Type 2 diabetes?

In this episode, Richie and Amber wrap up their three-part series on diabetes technology by tackling a question most people with Type 2 diabetes have never been asked: "If you need insulin today, why are you still doing it manually?"

Amber breaks down:

• Why your pancreas does something injections simply cannot replicate
• The real evidence behind AID systems, including two major 2025 clinical trials on Type 2 diabetes
• How to use AID and still pursue Type 2 diabetes remission — because treatment today doesn't cancel out your outcome tomorrow
• What "manual mode" really means and how to prepare a backup plan
• Why a discrepancy between your CGM and finger-stick reading doesn't mean your technology is broken
• How insurance, cost, and the pharmacy-versus-durable-medical-equipment divide actually works

If you're on multiple daily injections and your A1C isn't where you want it, this episode is for you. And if you're chasing remission, this episode is especially for you.

Chapters

00:00 - Why Are You Still Doing Insulin Manually?
00:36 - Wrapping Up Our Diabetes Tech Series
01:31 - Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Pumps: Yes, You Too
03:14 - The 2026 ADA Standards of Care Changes
04:24 - What Does "Preferred" Insulin Delivery Mean?
05:56 - Why Your Pancreas Is More Remarkable Than You Think
07:28 - The Fundamental Flaw of Long-Acting Insulin Injections
09:59 - Insulin Stacking Explained
11:33 - Is Automated Insulin Delivery Really a Game-Changer?
12:45 - The Three Parts of Every AID System
16:04 - Are You Wearing an External Pancreas?
17:23 - Do You Still Have to Carb Count?
19:48 - Basal vs. Bolus on an AID System
21:00 - The Honeymoon Phase and Adaptive Insulin Delivery
23:44 - The Number One Safety Risk With AID
26:22 - Backup Plans When Your Pump Fails
27:59 - How Manual Mode Works
32:11 - The 2025 Type 2 Diabetes AID Clinical Trials
36:23 - Clearing Up Type 1 vs. Type 2 Confusion
38:59 - Using Insulin While Pursuing Remission
41:29 - Does AID Reduce the Load on Beta Cells?
47:43 - The Lancet Study on Insulin and Remission
50:23 - Are Beta Cells Really Dead?
51:26 - The Burning Building Analogy
53:31 - Why You Should See an Endocrinologist
57:31 - The Hidden Burdens of Diabetes Technology
59:37 - Insurance and the Guidelines Gap
01:04:26 - CGM vs. Finger Stick Accuracy Explained
01:07:31 - Trusting an Imperfect Sensor
01:11:00 - Two Imperfect Systems Replacing a Pancreas
01:14:07 - Why AID Requires Ongoing Education
01:17:52 - Reading Patterns in Your Diabetes Data
01:20:11 - How to Choose the Right AID System
01:21:57 - The Future of Insulin Independence
01:24:53 - Final Thoughts

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