Let's Get Started... Have Your Insurance Card Ready Email * Phone * NEXT Step 1 of 2 Do you take insulin as part of a diabetes management plan? If so, you likely know the blood sugar testing drill all too well. Several times a day, you prick your finger to draw a small amount of blood to measure your glucose levels. You log your glucose readings along with any food, medicine or activity that may have affected them. You and your healthcare provider use these results to gain insight and develop an appropriate diabetes management plan. But what if there was a more efficient way, with fewer fingersticks and more real-time glucose readings? Enter continuous glucose monitoring. What is continuous glucose monitoring? Unlike traditional “static” blood glucose meters that measure your blood sugar levels at a single point in time, a continuous glucose monitoring system is just that, continuous. A CGM system tracks your glucose levels throughout the day and night. CGM devices rely on a tiny sensor that is inserted just under the skin’s surface on the upper arm or belly. It is held in place with an adhesive patch. Continuous glucose monitors have revolutionized diabetes care, making it possible to see your blood glucose testing results in real time and spot glucose trends. This type of dynamic data can give you and your doctor a more complete picture of your type 1 diabetes to make more informed treatment decisions. These devices can be especially helpful for caregivers of young children with custom alerts when blood sugar levels are out of safe range. No matter what kind of activity you’re engaged in, whether sleeping or showering, a CGM can consistently measure your blood sugar levels. How do continuous glucose monitors work? While blood glucose meters measure glucose levels in the blood, CGM devices measure glucose levels in the body’s interstitial fluid every few minutes. You can configure alerts to tell you when your blood sugar levels are too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). Some CGM sensors will automatically transmit glucose readings to a smartphone app or reader wirelessly in real time. They may also communicate with other devices, like an insulin pump or fitness tracker. People who use continuous glucose monitors enjoy fewer fingersticks than with traditional blood glucose monitors. They can also look forward to fewer low blood sugar events since it’s possible to see in advance where blood glucose levels are headed. Does health insurance cover the cost of a continuous glucose monitoring system? Medicare covers therapeutic continuous glucose monitors for making diabetes treatment decisions, like changes in diet and insulin dosage. If you use insulin and require frequent adjustments to your insulin regimen, Medicare may cover a CGM system. Your doctor will determine if you meet all of the requirements for insurance coverage. Aeroflow Healthcare offers the Dexcom and Freestyle Libre CGM systems, both eligible for coverage by Medicare. Dexcom CGM Dexcom offers discreet mobile blood glucose monitoring systems, including the Dexcom G5 and G6. Both versions have an applicator that inserts a small sensor beneath the skin. The sensor automatically transmits data wirelessly to an app on your smart device (iPhone, Android, even an Apple Watch) every 5 minutes via bluetooth. The Dexcom G6 CGM has enhanced features including a one-touch applicator and factory calibration. Read more about Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring systems here. FreeStyle Libre CGM Like the Dexcom G5 and G6, the Abbott FreeStyle 14 Day CGM and the newer version, the FreeStyle Libre 2, use a sensor placed beneath the skin to track glucose levels at regular intervals. However, unlike the Dexcom systems, the FreeStyle devices are known as flash glucose monitors. This means that even though your blood sugar levels are being tracked, the devices will only “push” the glucose readings to the receiver or smartphone app when scanned. Read more about FreeStyle here. QUALIFY NOW Which CGM system is right for me? When researching the various CGM devices on the market, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. New devices are released frequently (Eversense, Medtronic Guardian, and Senseonics, to name a few) so it makes sense to learn as much as you can about the features and options available. Depending on your individual diabetes management plan, you may benefit from some features more than others. For example, for people with hypoglycemia unawareness, it can be helpful to set an alert when blood sugar drops under a certain level. Or if you use an insulin pump, you may benefit from a model that can communicate directly with it. Some devices are approved by the FDA to be used as the basis for making diabetes treatment decisions without a fingerstick to confirm, while some will require a fingerstick. CGM devices are often helpful for those who live with type 2 diabetes as well as well as type 1 diabetes. Aeroflow Healthcare is an accredited Medicare and Medicaid provider and accept most commercial insurances. Our well-trained staff of professionals includes respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses. We provide live-representative service to all patients. We work directly with Medicare and your healthcare provider to help determine the best device for your unique needs and make sure you receive maximum insurance benefits. We’ll even ship your CGM system directly to your door, at no cost. Latest Articles Is Diabetes Reversible? 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