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Accurate management of blood glucose levels is a powerful tool in preventing diabetes complications. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices allow you to track your levels and trends at any time 24/7 without finger sticks, spend more time in range, significantly lower your A1C, and share important data with loved ones and caregivers. We offer the top CGM brands including FreeStyle Libre System, Dexcom and Eversense – Implantable CGM*.
The Benefits of continuous glucose monitoring
What are the benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitoring?
- Reduce or eliminate painful finger sticks
- Track your levels and trends over time
- Spend more time in range
- Significantly lower your A1C
- Get notified of your lows and highs throughout the day or while you are sleeping
- See how food, physical activity, illness and medications affect your glucose levels
- Develop better diabetes self-care behaviors by being better informed.
Features and benefits vary by model, so speak with our helpful representatives to learn more about CGMs and find out if you qualify for a CGM at little or no cost with insurance coverage.
*US MED provides CGM supplies for existing Eversense customers only.
FAQS - Continuous Glucose Monitors
The continuous glucose monitoring systems sold by US MED have been approved for use by patients with diabetes by the FDA. If you run into any unusually high or low readings from your CGM, you can confirm them with a finger prick test.
It’s easy to use a CGM. You just insert a small sensor under the skin by using a simple applicator. The sensor is held in place by adhesive tape. This allows the sensor to measure glucose readings in the interstitial fluid, which is fluid that surrounds the cells. It takes the readings throughout the day and night.
A transmitter, which is connected to the sensor, causes the system to send real-time readings wirelessly to either a monitoring device or an app on your smartphone that displays your glucose data.
To learn more about CGMs, try this article on the different types of CGMs.
These systems allow you to get real-time updates on your sugar while nearly eliminating the need for painful finger stick tests. You can also easily send this information to friends and family through compatible apps. Most CGMs have alerts to keep you informed of dangerous high or low sugar levels 24 hours a day and store your glucose data so you can better make treatment decisions based on trends. Unlike single-time glucometer testing, most CGMs report on sugar levels every five minutes giving you an average of 288 glucose readings per day stored in your receiver. This data takes much of the guesswork out of managing diabetes by identifying fluctuations caused by food, exercise, and lifestyle choices.
The sensors used in continuous glucose monitoring systems can stay in place for quite a while. For example, the Dexcom G6 CGM’s sensors can be used for 10 days before they’ll need to be replaced. The FreeStyle Libre sensor lasts 14 days.
If you plan to use your insurance benefits
You MUST meet all the following requirements:
- Test your blood glucose levels at least 4 times per day*
- Take insulin at least 3 times per day* OR are using an insulin pump – (Insulin regimen requires frequent adjustment)
- Have a documented visit with your doctor within the past 6 months
If you plan to purchase a CGM completely out of pocket, then all you need is a prescription from your doctor. You can purchase a CGM at our retail website at www.USMEDDirect.com
*Must be documented in your prescriber’s medical record
Yes, however your insurance company will not cover any costs. You will be responsible for the full cost of your CGM. If you are trying to use your insurance benefits to cover all or part of the costs of a Continuous Glucose Monitor, then you must meet the minimum requirements of testing your glucose levels 4 or more times per day AND taking insulin 3 or more times per day. If you choose to purchase a CGM without going through your insurance, you can do so at our retail website at USMEDDirect.com
Yes, however your insurance company will not cover any costs. You will be responsible for the full cost of your CGM. If you are trying to use your insurance benefits to cover all or part of the costs of a Continuous Glucose Monitor, then you must meet the minimum requirements of testing your glucose levels 4 or more times per day AND taking insulin 3 or more times per day. If you choose to purchase a CGM without going through your insurance, you can do so at our retail website at USMEDDirect.com
Technically, Yes, but keep in mind that continuous glucose monitors were intended for people with the need to regulate their insulin manually (through injections or a pump). If you do not take insulin, your insurance company will not cover any costs. Also, you will need to get a prescription from your doctor in order to purchase one. If you are not taking insulin, we highly recommend that you speak with your doctor to determine whether a CGM is the right device for you.
No, we have plenty of customers that are Type 2 who enjoy the benefits of a CGM. Just keep in mind that in order for your insurance company to cover costs, you have to meet both of their requirements of testing your glucose levels 4 or more times per day AND taking insulin 3 or more times per day. You will also need a prescription from your doctor.
Yes. CGMs are regulated by the FDA and are only approved for use with a prescription from your doctor. US MED will not be able to provide you a continuous glucose monitoring device without having a prescription from your doctor.
GREAT question! If it were up to us, we would allow anyone who lives with diabetes the opportunity to get access. Unfortunately, the decision is not ours and these requirements are created by insurance companies and the FDA.
Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurances cover continuous glucose monitors and supplies. There are many variables that will determine what your insurance will cover. Please call us at 1-877-840-8218 for a free benefits check, to learn if your insurance will cover a CGM and what percentage of the costs they will cover.
Our average process takes approximately 3 – 5 business days to get all the required documents and ship out your order. Unfortunately, there are circumstances that can take up to 21 days before we are able to ship out your supplies.
These circumstances are typically the result of either not receiving your doctor’s prescription in a timely manner, receiving the prescription with missing information, or not getting authorization from your insurance provider in a timely manner. In cases like these, we do our best to follow up and obtain the required documents from your doctor and insurance companies.
At US MED, we offer continuous glucose monitoring systems from leading brands, such as the FreeStyle Libre, the FreeStyle Libre 2, and the Dexcom G6. We also sell additional supplies for the CGMs that we have available.
The FreeStyle Libre is compatible with the LibreLink app, while the Dexcom G6 is compatible with the Dexcom G6 app. The FreeStyle Libre 2 is intended to work with the FreeStyle Libre 2 app; as of February 2021, this app was still under review by the FDA.
Please refer to FreeStyle’s official compatibility guide for the LibreLink app and Dexcom’s official compatibility page for the Dexcom G6 app.
Continuous glucose monitors can almost entirely get rid of the need for finger pricks. However, you may need to do a finger prick test to confirm any low or high sensor readings and also if your symptoms do not match your sensor readings.
Yes, once qualified all US MED patients receive 90-day supplies with each order regardless of private insurance or Medicare/Medicaid coverage
After following the manufacturer’s guidelines and inserting your sensor, we recommend covering the sensor with a CGM patch or slick. Manufacturers create these waterproof adhesive tapes to fit either the Dexcom G6 or the round FreeStyle Libre sensors.
You can use baby or mineral oil for CGM sensor/patch removal. Along with this, Dexcom has created a more detailed guide to sensor removal on their support page.
Why Choose US MED
Do you qualify?
If you are testing 4 times per day or more
and injecting insulin 3 times a day or more,
you may qualify for a Continuous Glucose Monitor, or CGM.
If you have any questions, you can always call 1-877-840-8218.
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US MED is America's primary choice for home delivery of quality medical supplies. Since 1996, over 500,000 satisfied patients have received disease state education and medical supplies from our highly trained customer service specialists. US MED, the largest provider of Diabetic Supplies to the Medicare community, is licensed and accredited by Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We provide all products necessary to treat the Diabetes disease state, including therapies for its associated comorbidities. Our product portfolio includes, but is not limited to, the following: Diabetic testing strips, Continuous Glucose Monitors or CGMs, Insulin Pumps, Sleep Apnea and CPAP supplies, Nebulizers, and Urinary Catheters.