Managing diabetes is easier with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
These small, wearable devices track your glucose levels around the clock—no finger pricks required. Instead of using blood, CGMs measure glucose in the interstitial fluid beneath your skin. They show not only your current level but also whether it’s rising, falling, or staying steady.
With alerts, smartphone graphs, and real-time insights, CGMs can help you make smarter decisions about food, exercise, and medication to reach your goals.
The insights you gain from using a CGM can improve your safety and help you reach
your A1c and
time-in-range goals.
With real-time alerts, smartphone graphs, and trends at your fingertips, CGMs can help you make more informed decisions about food, activity, and medication.
How a CGM works
While each brand of CGM technology operates differently, they share many similarities. (*Note: Most of the details outlined below do not apply to the Senseonics Eversense CGM, which uses implantable technology.)
- Most CGM sensors have three parts:
- A sensor (a very thin, wire-like piece) sits in subcutaneous tissue (body fat). just under the skin.
- A transmitter above the skin.
- A receiver (your smartphone or a handheld device)
- The sensor is usually inserted with an easy at-home application device that inserts the sensor with a fine needle.
- Inserting a CGM sensor is quick, simple, and nearly painless—it takes just a few minutes and can be done at home.
- The needle instantly retracts, leaving the sensor in place.
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The transmitter, visible on the skin, is secured in place with adhesive.
- CGM sensors can be placed on various body areas (e.g. the arm, torso, lower back, buttocks or thigh).
- Avoid spots with frequent bending or potential irritation from clothing.
- Most CGM sensors are replaced roughly every two weeks, though this depends on the 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.
Check what brands are covered under your insurance plan (including patients on Medicaid and Medicare).
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.
