CGM: Continuous Glucose Monitor
Today’s CGM—continuous glucose monitor—technology put diabetes management into the 21st century. This small wearable device provides people with diabetes the information they need to make daily management decisions.
Improving both our short and long-term health and safety, CGMs should be considered the standard of care for anyone of any age with any type of diabetes.
What is a CGM?
A CGM is a small wearable device that tracks your blood glucose levels in real-time throughout the day and night. CGMs measure the glucose (sugar) in the interstitial fluid of your body fat compared to your blood glucose monitor (BGM) which measures the glucose in your blood.
At any moment—without pricking your finger—you can see what your blood glucose level is. You can also see what direction it’s headed in thanks to simple up, down, or sideways arrows.
With personalized settings, CGMs can alert you to high or low levels while also charting your blood glucose levels about every five minutes on a graph on your smartphone or separate receiver device.
Compared to checking your blood sugar with a drop of blood on a test strip, the information a CGM can provide both you and your healthcare team can have a huge impact on your diabetes management. CGM technology can help you make more thoughtful decisions around food, exercise, insulin and medications. The insights you gain from using a CGM can improve your safety and help you reach your A1c and time-in-range goals.
*Watch this video to learn more about the differences between readings from your CGM vs. your BGM.
How a CGM Works
While each brand of CGM technology works slightly different, they have many similarities. (*Most of the details described below do not apply to Senseonics’ implantable Eversense CGM technology.)
- Most CGM sensors consist of three parts: sensor (which sits in the skin), the transmitter (sits above the skin), the receiver (either your Smartphone or a handheld device that receives blood sugar data).
- Most CGM sensors (a very thin wire-like piece) sit in subcutaneous tissue (body fat). The sensor is usually inserted with an easy at-home application device that inserts the sensor with a fine needle. The needle instantly retracts, leaving the sensor in place.
- The visible portion of a CGM is the transmitter, which sits on top of the skin with an adhesive that holds the entire device in place. Many people apply a second adhesive on top of the entire transmitter to protect it and ensure it stays on.
- CGM sensors can be placed in several areas of your body, depending on what is most comfortable for you: back of the arm, side/front torso, lower back, buttocks area, outer thigh, etc. Avoid spots where your body naturally bends a great deal, where clothing might cause irritation or be a burden.
- The process of inserting the CGM sensor is easy and virtually painless. It can easily be done at home and takes just a few minutes from start to finish.
- Most CGM sensors need to be replaced about every two weeks—this varies slightly depending on brand and model.
The Benefits of a CGM
A few of the benefits of using a CGM include:
- See your blood glucose level at any moment without pricking your finger.
- See the direction of your blood glucose level: rising/falling, gradually/quickly.
- Learn how/when your body responds to food, activity, insulin, medication, hormones, stress, etc.
- Customizable settings that alert you when your blood sugar falls below a certain level.
- Customizable settings that alert you when your blood sugar rises above a certain level.
- Catch and treat high blood glucose levels sooner.
- Catch and treat low blood glucose levels sooner.
- Help you reach your overall A1c and blood sugar goals.
- Learn what percentage of the day you are in/above/below your goal ranges (also known as “time-in-range” or TIR).
- Integrate your CGM with your insulin pump (with additional features for closed-loop systems.
- Share your CGM data with your healthcare team easily from the app on your smartphone.
- Share your real-time CGM data with family or friends to see at any time on their smartphone.
- Review your blood glucose levels at any time with helpful graphs and reports.
How do I get a CGM?
Getting a CGM starts with asking your doctor to write the prescription. Talk to your doctor about your device options and decide together which might be best for you. (Scroll further on this page for detailed tips on getting a CGM.)
Check what brands are covered under your insurance plan (including patients on Medicaid and Medicare). For example, Dexcom’s CGMs are covered by Medicare. Abbott’s FreesStyle Libre is also covered by Medicare for those who qualify.
To receive a CGM under Medicare or Medicaid, please contact your local state health exchange to check your eligibility.
Some brands also offer complimentary trial periods for new users, like Hello, Dexcom,or MyFreeStyle Program. The MyFreeStyle Program allows eligible people to try either the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day System or the FreeStyle Libre 2 system. After your eligibility is determined, you’d request a prescription from your healthcare provider and get guided support from 14 days of emails tailored to your personal journey.
CGMs Available Today
Here are today’s available CGM brands and models. This technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade, improving in ease-of-use, accuracy and connectivity with other technology.
Dexcom: G6►
Medtronic: Guardian Connect►
Abbott: Freestyle Libre 14-Day & Libre 2 & Libre 3►
Senseonics: Eversense►
Getting a CGM
While CGMs can help anyone improve their diabetes health, getting a CGM can come with some hurdles. Here are some tips for navigating that process.
Insurance — Navigating Denials
If your doctor has prescribed it, isn't that enough? In many cases, it isn't and people are faced with denials for life-saving and life-improving equipment. Here is our run down if you'...MORE
Health Insurance Guide for T1D
This comprehensive health insurance guide includes in-depth explanations of plans, tips for dealing with denials and ways to cut costs, to name a few.MORE
Managing Diabetes Without Health Insurance
If you've just lost your health insurance coverage or are struggling to afford your medications and supplies, start here.MORE
Health Insurance Hurdles 101: Insulin + Diabetes Supplies
Congratulations, you have health insurance! But your diabetes supplies and insulin are still expensive. What’s a person with diabetes to do?MORE
Don’t Have Health Insurance Right Now? Read This
You may qualify for subsidies that lower the cost of your insurance; here's what you need to know to pick a Healthcare.gov plan for 2022.MORE
Medicare Loosens Restrictions on Continuous Glucose Monitor Coverage
Medicare revised its local coverage determination policy to remove requirements for continuous glucose monitor coverage.MORE
Eversense E3 Continuous Glucose Monitor Gains FDA Approval, Offers Extended Wear-Time
The Eversense E3 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is an exciting advancement for the diabetes community, with improved wear-time and accuracy.MORE
How to Try the Freestyle Libre CGM for Free
You can try the Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitor for two weeks for free with the My Freestyle program.MORE
Why Won’t My Insurance Cover a Continuous Glucose Monitor?
Are you facing challenges getting insurance to cover a CGM? Here are some common reasons insurance denies CGM coverage and what you can do about it!MORE
Your Guide to CGM Access + Affordability
In this guide, we share tips and resources for getting access to a CGM whether you are insured, uninsured or underinsured.MORE
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre 3 Receives FDA Approval
The Freestyle Libre 3, the world's smallest continuous glucose monitor, offering several improvements and updates from the Libre 2, has received FDA approval.MORE
Dexcom CEO Talks: Product Differences, Cost Expectations, and Mental Health
The CEO of Dexcom sat down with Beyond Type 1 at the American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Annual Scientific Sessions to talk all things G7.MORE
What to Do If You Run Out of CGM Supplies Away from Home
If you ever forget your CGM supplies away from home, you’re not entirely out of luck. Here’s what you can do if this ever happens to you!MORE
How to Get a Continuous Glucose Monitor Without Health Insurance
Pricing is a massive barrier to diabetes meds and tech. This guide provides actionable tips to help you get a CGM without health insurance and save money.MORE
Freestyle Libre 2 and Freestyle Libre 3 to Integrate with Automated Insulin Delivery Systems
Abbott, makers of the Freestyle Libre 2 and 3, modified their sensors to enable integration with automated insulin delivery systems. Here’s what you should know!MORE
Senseonics + UnitedHealthcare Expanding CGM Access
Senseonics announced that UnitedHealthCare will now cover their Eversense E3 implantable CGM, starting July 1, 2023.MORE
Project IMPACT: Bringing CGM Access to a Pharmacy Near You
Interview with Robert E. Nichols, PharmD, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacist, who is participating in the pilot program for better CGM access. MORE
How You Can Try a Dexcom CGM for Free
Learn why continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are beneficial and how you can try the free 10-day Dexcom trial program.MORE
Dexcom ONE Now Available in France
Dexcom ONE, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, is now available for people with diabetes in France.MORE
Benefits of Using a Dexcom G7 CGM During Pregnancy
Managing diabetes during pregnancy can be tough, but Dexcom Chief Operating Officer Jake Leach shares how a CGM can help.MOREUsing a CGM
CGM technology can provide you with so much more information about your blood sugar levels than a blood glucose monitor.
The Power of the CGM
The 24-week trial looked at how effective CGMs are at controlling blood sugar levels and found a wide-range of benefits in type 1 diabetes management that included but was not limited to lowering A1Cs...MORE
All About Time-in-Range
Time-in-range (TIR) is a measurement that tells you what percentage of the day your blood sugars are in your goal range.MOREWhy Won’t My Insurance Cover a Continuous Glucose Monitor?
Are you facing challenges getting insurance to cover a CGM? Here are some common reasons insurance denies CGM coverage and what you can do about it!MORE
Why You Should Try a CGM Even if You’re Reluctant
So you’ve been pricking your finger for 20 years? Yes, even YOU might appreciate the benefits of a continuous glucose monitor!MORE
The Pros + Cons of CGM Data for Diabetes Management
Continuous glucose monitors are excellent diabetes management tools, but it's easy to become over-stimulated by data and alarms...MORE
What Doctors Want Most From Patients with Diabetes: Blood Sugar Data
Sharing your diabetes data can be scary—or embarrassing—but the best way to help your healthcare team help you is by sharing CGM or BGM data.MORE
Diabetes Data Apps: What’s Available + How They Work
In this guide, we describe some of the most popular diabetes data apps used today—maybe ones you’ve never heard of—plus their benefits!MOREFeeling Safer with a CGM
CGM technology can help you feel safer while managing diabetes in many areas of life, including while you’re sleeping, at school, in children, with hypoglycemia unawareness and more.
What is Hypoglycemia Unawareness?
Jordan Hoese, MD, MPH gives us the scientific lowdown on hypoglycemia unawareness and why it's crucial to understand this common diabetes complication.MORE
Coping with Fear of Hypoglycemia
This panel features opinions from a psychologist, CDE and patient regarding fears of hypoglycemia and ways they can be assuaged -- one of which involves having tools at your disposal. MORE
Your Child Can Exercise Safely with T1D
Learn helpful guidelines for when to reduce your child's insulin intake, increase carbohydrate, and respond to various blood sugar levels.MORE
A T1D Guide to Quality Sleep
Jordan Hoese, MD, MPH shares her tips for getting the best possible night of sleep, backed by her knowledge MORE
Diabetes and… Navigating Technology’s Impact on Mental Health
Diabetes technology is a helpful tool for those who can access it, but how much does the constant information impact our mental health?MORE
How to Safely Take a Break from Your Continuous Glucose Monitor
If you want or have to take a break from your CGM, follow these tips to develop a solid management plan and manage your low blood sugar levels safely.MORELooping with a CGM
The most groundbreaking approach to diabetes management: looping. Learn more about using your CGM in a closed-loop system.
Learn about Looping: The Do-it-Yourself Artificial Pancreas
Loop is an iOS app (Apple only) that connects a continuous glucose monitor and a compatible insulin pump to your phone to bring automated insulin adjustments. Learn what looping is all about!MORE
The Guide to DIY Looping
It’s important to follow the directions! Read up on your desired DIY Looping setup before getting started to make sure you don’t miss out on any key info.MOREReal Life with a CGM: Stories & Interviews
Here are a few stories from people with diabetes and healthcare providers who’ve experienced the benefits CGM technology!
Sex, Pumps & CGMs
Ah the information everyone (T1D or not) wants to know but doesn’t want to be the one to ask! Now before talking about getting physical — let’s be real here. Being tethered to something 24/7 is ...MORE
Actress Elizabeth Perkins on Her Type 1 Journey
It wasn’t until the emergence of strong T1D communities that Elizabeth Perkins was finally comfortable being loud about her experience living with diabetes.MORE
Everyone with Diabetes Should Have Access to CGM: Dr. Aaron Neinstein’s Take
Dr. Neinstein was one of four featured experts during Beyond Type 1’s #KnowledgeDrop Series, discussing the future of diabetes care, focusing specifically on technology, data, and emerging therapie...MORE
Mommy Beeps: Parenting as a Type 1
Kim reflects on interactions with her sons and the difficulties of explaining chronic illness to young ones, which is what led to her writing the children's book, "Mommy Beeps."MORE
A Lifetime of Sleeping With Diabetes Tech
Lala shares her take on spending much of her life sleeping with diabetes technology and how she deals with it when it gets in the way of her rest.MORE
Brec Bassinger of ‘Stargirl’ Talks CGMs, Superheroes, and Acting
On the newest episode of Diabetes Connections, host Stacey Simms talks to Brec Bassinger – the star of CW's 'Stargirl.'MORE
Glitter Glucose is on a Mission to Help Everyone Find Power in Diabetes
Paloma, also known as Glitter Glucose, shares who she’s inspired by in the diabetes community and how Freestyle Libre devices have positively impacted her life.MORE
Why I’ll Never Go Back to Pricking My Finger
Checking our blood sugar levels can be a real pain in the finger. Here’s why I’ll never go back to checking the old way!MORECheck out our Pumps Guide and our Blood Glucose Meter Rundown!
