Thanks to advances in medical technology, Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems have helped to improve the lives of patients living with diabetes. Because of this there are several brands that have entered the market.
With so many choices, it can be difficult to know which CGMs to choose.
There are certain components that can be found in all CGM systems, but there are unique features that set them apart – like price and coverage.
What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?
Before we begin, here’s a quick explanation of how a CGMs works and the many benefits it offers to diabetes patients. A Continuous Glucose Monitoring device takes a reading on set intervals with a small electrode placed under the skin which is held in place by an adhesive. A transmitter attached to the electrode sends data to a separate unit allowing a patient to record and access valuable information that allows them to manage and help control their diabetes.
Prior to the creation of CGM devices, the traditional and main method of checking levels involved a blood glucose monitor and painful fingersticks. Depending on the severity of the diabetes diagnosis, patients could have to check their levels several times throughout the day. Continuous Glucose Monitors give patients the freedom to live a more active and less painful way of life.
Continuous Glucose Monitor Benefits
CGMs offer benefits to both diabetes patients and healthcare providers.
- ❖ Ease of Use – CGMs eliminate the need for inconvenient and painful fingersticks.
- ❖ 24/7 Monitoring – Continual monitoring keeps patients safe and allows them to monitor levels anytime and anywhere. CGMs can send alerts to patients, healthcare providers, and family members if levels are too high or too low providing an extra level of security.
- ❖ Data Collection – CGMs collect information and identify patterns that can be shared with healthcare professionals and caregivers to help avoid dangerous situations. Depending on the monitoring system, this data can be stored for up to 3 months.
- ❖ CGMs are advanced, user-friendly, discreet and are continually evolving to make it easier for patients living with diabetes.
- ❖ Identification and monitoring of extremes in blood glucose levels and assessment of nocturnal glucose patterns.
- ❖ Time in Range “TIR” of blood glucose results to determine if patients are meeting desired targets.
- ❖ Provides an analysis of the overall treatment plan and the data needed to identify if changes to the plan are needed.
- ❖ Serves as a teaching tool for patients and healthcare providers to learn how factors, such as diet, exercise, and medication, can affect glucose levels.
Continuous Glucose Monitor Brands
There are currently four FDA-approved CGM systems on the market today. They are the Dexcom, Medtronic, Freestyle Libre, and Senseonics. All four systems use a sensor that is inserted subcutaneously as well as a transmitter and receiver to allow for data collection. Each provide reporting that records and tracks activity to show trends and aid in overall management. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Dexcom
The Dexcom is considered the pioneer in CGM systems. It uses its own software called Clarity and offers customizable alerts, smartphone app compatibility and voice integration through Apple’s Siri technology. Data can be shared with up to 10 followers and can be used in patients as young as two.
- ❖ Price1: $300 for the transmitter. $600 for the receiver. $80 per sensor.
- ❖ Sensor life is 10 days.
- ❖ Covered by most private and public health insurance plans and Medicare.
Medtronic
Medtronic is considered the leader in insulin pump technology, but also makes a CGM device called the Guardian Connect. Dexcom’s sensor can be worn on the abdomen or upper arm for up to seven days. A Bluetooth transmitter can send glucose readings to a smart phone app every five minutes. The Guardian Connect is also FDA approved and can be used in patients aged 17-75.
- ❖ Price1: $1000 for the transmitter. $80 for the sensor.
- ❖ Sensor life is 7 days.
- ❖ Covered by most private plans, but not Medicare
FreeStyle Libre
The FreeStyle Libre uses a flash sensor that allows the patient to be in control of their own readings. Using a handheld receiver or smart phone app, patients can hover over the sensor to get readings which can even occur through clothing. The sensor is also waterproof and can be worn while swimming or bathing. It’s also small and lightweight and can be worn for up to 14 days. The FreeStyle Libre also has its own software and smart phone app and offers remote data sharing with up to 20 people.
- ❖ Price1: $60 for the sensor scanner. $40 per sensor.
- ❖ Sensor life is 14 days.
- ❖ Covered by most private and public health insurance plans and Medicare.
Senseonics Eversense System
The Eversense system is the world’s first implantable CGMs. Its sensor is the size of a small twig, implanted in the upper arm, and is approved for 90 days of wear here in the United States and even longer in certain European countries. Like the other CGMs, it also has a downloadable smart phone app for easier tracking and reporting. The Eversense system was on a brief hiatus and has recently re-entered the US market.
- ❖ Price: $1400 for initial package which includes sensor, transmitter, adhesives, start guide). Then $200 to $300 for insertion and $300 to $400 for removal and reinsertion.
- ❖ Sensor life is 90 days.
- ❖ Covered by most private plans, but not Medicare
Which Continuous Glucose Monitors Are Covered by Medicare?
Medicare is often overlooked as a viable option to cover the costs of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMs). That is due in part to the fact that until recently Continuous Glucose Monitors were not covered by Medicare.
In 2017, Medicare made a change that began to open doors for CGMs and diabetes patients everywhere. The first major hurdle allowed certain CGMs to be covered by Medicare if they were deemed therapeutic. Thanks to a ruling made by the FDA, certain CGMs were seen as accurate enough to be used in treatment and dosing without requiring a fingerstick for confirmation. That allowed the doors to continue to open and Medicare coverage increased to include CGMs smartphone usage. By 2020, all but one CGM device on the market was covered.
“As of October 2020, all CGM devices on the market with the exception of those from Medtronic Diabetes are covered by Medicare. These include the Dexcom G6, the Abbot FreeStyle Libre 1 and 2, and the implantable Eversense CGM from Senseonics.”
Finding the Solution
Navigating through insurance and Medicare coverage is not always easy. At Quest Health Solutions, we can help you through the entire process. Our CGM Fulfillment Solution team can handle all the paperwork, insurance verification, billing and authorization calls. We are committed to providing the best patient care possible, saving healthcare professionals valuable time and being a one-stop shop for all Continuous Glucose Monitor needs. Our goal is to make living with diabetes more manageable for everyone. Let us simplify the process and do the hard part for you. Contact Quest Health Solutions at 9549024175 Ext. 1011, email ben@questhealthsolutions.com or schedule an appointment today.
1. (2020) Endocrinology Advisor. Available at Click Here accessed on 29 August 2021.
Click Here accessed on 29 August 2021.