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People with type 1 diabetes fight two wars: one against a relentless 24/7 disease, and the other against a healthcare system that makes it difficult & expensive to stay alive. People with T1D shouldn’t have to fight for what they need to live. The Helmsley Charitable Trust created Blue Circle Health’s free, virtual clinical care, education, and support program as an extension of patients’ existing care teams so that people with T1D can focus on living, not just surviving.
In the first episode of Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D, host Scott Johnson sat down with Blue Circle Health’s Dr. Monica Gomberg, endocrinologist and vice president of clinical care, to talk about what it really means to rethink T1D care from the ground up.
What If We Could Redesign Type 1 Diabetes Care?
Dr. Gomberg had a thriving private practice before joining Blue Circle Health. But over time, she noticed a pattern that most endocrinologists face.
“It’s not always about the insulin adjustment,” she said. “People living with type 1 diabetes need so much more than what I can give in a single appointment.”
That gap—the one between what the healthcare system offers and what people actually need—became the foundation for Blue Circle Health.
A Program Built Around Real Life
Blue Circle Health offers a six-month virtual care, education, and support program for adults living with type 1 diabetes. Every participant gets a customized plan designed to fit their needs, goals, and lifestyle. “We want people to know they’re not alone,” Dr. Gomberg said. “We build care plans around their needs—and those plans flex as life changes.”
Each participant can access:
- Endocrinology care from providers who understand T1D firsthand
- Diabetes education and nutrition support
- Diabetes supportive counseling–behavioral health counseling to address short-term diabetes distress including things like fear of hypoglycemia or the financial burden of living with T1D
- Insurance navigation to help understand coverage and options
- Case management to connect with local resources like food, housing, or prescription assistance
- Peer support through 1 on 1 support, group sessions, webinars, and cooking classes
Breaking Barriers to Access
One of the biggest challenges for people with T1D is simply getting the care and tools they need to stay healthy.
Blue Circle Health is completely free for participants. There’s no insurance billing, no copays, and no catch. “There should not be one more barrier in a person’s day to get care,” Dr. Gomberg said. “We’re here to make it easier, not harder.” The only eligibility requirements are:
- Being 18 or older
- Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
- Living in one of the participating states (see our homepage for up to date options)
- Being able to connect virtually
- Speak English or Spanish
- Not currently pregnant
Real Support, Real Impact
Blue Circle Health’s model also addresses the emotional and social realities of living with type 1 diabetes.
From helping people afford insulin and CGMs to offering prescription assistance programs and intro-to-CGM education, the goal is to help people feel empowered and supported.
One participant, Paolo, shared:
“Living with type 1 diabetes is not easy. Blue Circle Health has made things feel easier for me. I feel supported and not alone with all the decisions I have to make.”
A Model That Complements, Not Replaces, Your Care Team
If you already have an endocrinologist or primary care provider, Blue Circle Health works alongside them—not instead of them.
“You’re not replacing your doctor,” Dr. Gomberg explained. “We act as an extension of your care team. If you don’t have one, we’ll help you find one.”
This collaborative approach helps patients stay connected between visits while also easing the burden on healthcare providers who want to do more for their patients.
Why This Matters
Dr. Gomberg believes that listening to patients—and learning from them—is how real change happens.
“Everything we do comes from what our patients teach us,” she said. “We’re proving that diabetes care can look different—and it can work.”
At its heart, Blue Circle Health is about connection, compassion, and community.
“There’s a giant team of people here who are with you,” Dr. Gomberg said. “You are not alone.”
