Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems consistently, accurately monitor glucose levels. With these devices, you can make diabetes management a breeze.
Accurate blood glucose level measurements are a powerful tool in the fight against diabetes symptoms and complications. Continuous glucose monitoring devices allow you to track your levels and trends around the clock with minimal fingerprick tests*, making it easier to manage diabetes and share essential data with loved ones and caregivers.
If you’re looking for a new continuous glucose monitoring system, you’ve come to the right place. US MED® sells systems and sensors from the world’s top CGM brands, including FreeStyle Libre and Dexcom.
The Benefits of continuous glucose monitoring
As a cutting-edge approach to diabetes management, continuous glucose monitoring brings some unique benefits to the table. When people with diabetes start using a CGM system to monitor glucose levels, they can:
- Reduce their reliance on fingerprick tests*
- Track their levels and trends over time
- Cut down on healthcare expenses†
- Significantly lower their A1C‡
- Spend more time in range¶,§
- Get notified of their lows and highs throughout the day and while sleeping
- See how food, physical activity, illness, and medications affect their glucose levels
- Develop better diabetes self-care behaviors by being better informed
Important to note: While CGMs are incredibly helpful, they are not a replacement for traditional blood sugar testing. It's essential to continue using a glucose meter to calibrate your CGM and confirm readings when necessary. Additionally, CGM sensors measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, which can differ slightly from blood glucose levels. These readings may be delayed by 5-10 minutes compared to actual blood sugar levels.
Achieve Closed-Loop Therapy with US MED
Along with their other benefits, CGM devices can function as part of an artificial pancreas—a system incorporating both a CGM and an insulin pump. Also known as “closed-loop therapy,” these systems work by measuring glucose levels and delivering insulin whenever it’s needed.
With an artificial pancreas, people with diabetes can live their daily lives while further minimizing the inconveniences associated with diabetes management. To enjoy the benefits of closed-loop therapy, you can use the Tandem® t:slim X2® insulin pump with Dexcom G6 sensors, some Dexcom G7 sensors, and the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions - Continuous Glucose Monitors
The continuous glucose monitoring systems sold by US MED® have been approved for use by people 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. That allows the sensor to measure glucose readings in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the cells. It takes these readings throughout the day and night.
A transmitter connected to the sensor allows 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.
CGM 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 inform you of dangerously high or low sugar levels 24 hours a day and store your glucose data so you can make treatment decisions based on trends. Unlike single-time glucometer testing, most CGMs report on sugar levels every one to five minutes giving you at least 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.
Yes! Following your recommended CGM therapy can create healthcare savings estimated at $3,555 - $6,747 per person, over three years through improved patient outcomes.‡
Healthcare savings are achieved through the following health benefits:
- Reduced rates for severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis events‡
- Reduction of A1C in type 1 and type 2 diabetes*
- Increased “time in range” within targeted blood glucose levels¶,#
- Improvement in quality of life¶
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 ten days before they’ll need to be replaced. FreeStyle Libre sensors last 14 days.
To be eligible for Medicare coverage of CGM, a member must:
- Be insulin-treated for diabetes mellitus; OR,
- Have a history of problematic hypoglycemia*
*See details here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=33822
Yes - however, your insurance company will not cover any costs. You will be responsible for the total cost of your CGM. If you choose to purchase a CGM without going through your insurance, you can do so at our retail website.
Yes, the requirements for CGM have changed. To qualify for a CGM you must be treating diabetes with insulin (oral, subcutaneous injections, or using an insulin pump) or have documented level-2 hypoglycemia. That's it!
Technically, yes, but keep in mind that continuous glucose monitors were intended for people who need to manually regulate their insulin (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 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 have type 2 diabetes and enjoy the benefits of a CGM. Just keep in mind that for your insurance company to cover costs, you have to meet their requirements - that is, treating diabetes with insulin or having a documented case of level-2 hypoglycemia. 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 with a continuous glucose monitoring device without a prescription from your doctor.
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 insurance companies and the FDA create these requirements.
Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance providers cover continuous glucose monitors and supplies. Many variables 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 for information on what percentage of the costs they will cover.
It is important to get all of the required documents and ship out your order. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, it can take up to 21 days before we can 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 promptly. 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 2 system, the FreeStyle Libre 3 system, and the Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7. We also sell additional supplies for the CGMs that we have available.
All CGMs distributed by US MED have apps. Please see the table below.
| CGM | Apps |
|---|---|
| FreeStyle Libre 2 | FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the LibreLinkUp app |
| FreeStyle Libre 3 | FreeStyle Libre 3 app |
| Dexcom G6 | Dexcom Clarity and Dexcom Follow app |
| Dexcom G7 |
Please refer to FreeStyle’s official compatibility guide or Dexcom’s official compatibility page for the Dexcom CGMs.
Continuous glucose monitors can greatly reduce the need for painful finger pricks. However, you may need to do a finger prick test to confirm any low or high sensor readings and if your symptoms do not match your sensor readings.
Yes; once qualified, all US MED® members receive 90-day supplies with each order regardless of private insurance or Medicare/Medicaid coverage.
Before applying the sensor, clean the area with soap and shave off any hair. Allow it your skin dry fully. Then, following the manufacturer’s guidelines and inserting your sensor, we recommend covering the sensor with a CGM overpatch. Manufacturers create these waterproof adhesive tapes to fit either the Dexcom or the round FreeStyle Libre sensors.
You can use baby or mineral oil for CGM sensor/patch removal. Dexcom has also created a more detailed guide to sensor removal on their support page.
*Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
†https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/69/Supplement_1/67-LB
‡Beck RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378.
¶Noar A, et al. A1C Reductions and Improved Patient-Reported Outcomes Following CGM Initiation in Insulin-Managed T2D. Presented at ADA 80th Scientific Sessions; June 12, 2020; Virtual.
- Kovatchev B, et al. N Engl J Med 2019;381(18):1707-17. C
||See details here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=33822
Medical Review by Shirley DeLeon, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
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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AHCA Licensure Numbers: 1313231 and 1314211
For Healthcare Professionals
US MED® is America's primary choice for home delivery of quality medical supplies. Since 1996, over 1 million satisfied members 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, and Nebulizers.