Costs
Without insurance, CGMs can be costly. The average cost for a start-up kit with replaceable sensors is approximately $1,000. Some systems can cost several thousand dollars a year. The CGM cost can range from $100 to 500 per month, depending on the brand name. The monthly cost typically covers the sensors and transmitters. For example, the popular Dexcom G6 CGM has an average retail price of $6,000 per year or $500 per month (without insurance coverage). The FreeStyle Libre 2 system costs around $130 to $150 per month without insurance.
Insurance Coverage
Most health insurers will cover some or all of the cost of a CGM if a patient meets specific criteria. Many health plans, including Medicare, typically cover the cost of CGMs if the patient meets certain criteria, such as being a type 1 or type 2 diabetic, having an insulin regimen requiring frequent adjustments daily based on CGM values, and checking glucose at least 4 times a day. On the other hand, health insurers typically do not cover the costs for CGMs if a patient does not have diabetes, has prediabetes, or develops gestational diabetes.
