Sam Brusco, Associate Editor04.17.23
The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) released an updated policy that took effect on April 16 that will expand continuous glucose monitor (CGM) coverage to more patients with type 2 diabetes.
The expanded coverage from the new policy applies to patients being treated with insulin with traditional Medicare coverage, in addition to certain patients who don’t use insulin but have a history of “problematic hypoglycemia”—where blood glucose is lower than normal and can lead to dizziness or becoming unconscious.
CGM maker Dexcom heralded the updated Medicare policy as “the single biggest expansion of CGM coverage in the U.S. to date.” The Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor achieved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance late last year and the next-generation device was launched shortly thereafter.
“This landmark CMS decision has the potential to bring Dexcom CGM to millions more Medicare patients living with diabetes,” Teri Lawver, recently appointed executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Dexcom told the press. “Our MOBILE study, which helped lead to this decision, is part of Dexcom’s ongoing efforts to help increase access to the most accurate, easy to use CGM technology that offers people a better way to manage diabetes and improve their quality of life.”
The expanded coverage also applied to certain Abbott Labs’ FreeStyle Libre CGMs, including the FreeStyle Libre 2 system and the FreeStyle Libre 14-day system.
"FreeStyle Libre technology was designed from the start to be affordable and accessible," Jared Watkin, senior VP for Abbott's diabetes care business told the press. "We've been focused on highlighting the tremendous benefits of continuous glucose monitoring to help people living with diabetes manage their care easily and pain-free. Increasing access is a monumental step by Medicare to allow more people to have access to FreeStyle Libre so they can spend less time worrying and more time living healthier, better lives."
Abbott received FDA clearance for a new reader for FreeStyle Libre 3 last week. The compant said it’s working to get the FreeStyle Libre 3 system added to Medicare’s list of covered systems as soon as possible.
The expanded coverage from the new policy applies to patients being treated with insulin with traditional Medicare coverage, in addition to certain patients who don’t use insulin but have a history of “problematic hypoglycemia”—where blood glucose is lower than normal and can lead to dizziness or becoming unconscious.
CGM maker Dexcom heralded the updated Medicare policy as “the single biggest expansion of CGM coverage in the U.S. to date.” The Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor achieved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance late last year and the next-generation device was launched shortly thereafter.
“This landmark CMS decision has the potential to bring Dexcom CGM to millions more Medicare patients living with diabetes,” Teri Lawver, recently appointed executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Dexcom told the press. “Our MOBILE study, which helped lead to this decision, is part of Dexcom’s ongoing efforts to help increase access to the most accurate, easy to use CGM technology that offers people a better way to manage diabetes and improve their quality of life.”
The expanded coverage also applied to certain Abbott Labs’ FreeStyle Libre CGMs, including the FreeStyle Libre 2 system and the FreeStyle Libre 14-day system.
"FreeStyle Libre technology was designed from the start to be affordable and accessible," Jared Watkin, senior VP for Abbott's diabetes care business told the press. "We've been focused on highlighting the tremendous benefits of continuous glucose monitoring to help people living with diabetes manage their care easily and pain-free. Increasing access is a monumental step by Medicare to allow more people to have access to FreeStyle Libre so they can spend less time worrying and more time living healthier, better lives."
Abbott received FDA clearance for a new reader for FreeStyle Libre 3 last week. The compant said it’s working to get the FreeStyle Libre 3 system added to Medicare’s list of covered systems as soon as possible.