Abstract: A private extension of the IEEE 11073 standard for enabling pass-thru communication between a external computing device and a medical device via a diabetes management device is disclosed herein. Within this context, a diabetes management system for configured to allow pass thru communication is described. The system includes a diabetes management device in communication with a external computing device and the first medical device. A pass-thru module of the diabetes management device uses a set of pass-thru commands for establishing a pass-thru communication path and enabling communication between the external computing device and the first medical device, and wherein the set of pass-through commands is defined in compliance with a communication protocol defined in accordance with IEEE standard 11073-20601.