The true cost of continuous glucose monitors
(Updated October 2024)
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are becoming more available and are being used for more than just diabetes management. They are a powerful tool to prevent chronic disease and even lose weight. Let’s talk about the price.
How much do CGMs cost?
Access my 2024 Overview of Continuous Glucose Monitor Services Here
The cost can vary all over the place but it depends on a few factors.
The brand
The two main makers of CGM’s are DEXCOM and Abbott FreeStyle. As of September 2024, both companies not only sell CGMs requiring a prescription, but they both sell CGMs WITHOUT a prescription! 🎉🍾We call these over-the-counter, or OTC. Neither are covered by insurance but you can use a HSA/FSA card to pay (if you have one of those).
The Dexcom OTC is a Stelo and it costs $99/1-month of sensors (two 15-day sensors).
Abbott has the Lingo OTC for $49/14-day sensor.
If you have a prescription (which isn’t as hard to get as you might think, even if you don’t have diabetes), you have more options and could save money.
When paying cash, the FreeStyle Libre sensors can cost as little as $80/month (that’s for 2x 14-day sensors). DEXCOM costs about two-four times that. Because of the price, most DEXCOM users have type 1 diabetes and have it covered by their insurance. Cash-pay folks typically go with the FreeStyle Libre products, so I’ll be talking about that.
Your insurance and medical need:
If you have diabetes and are taking insulin multiple times per day, you will most likely get your CGM covered by insurance. Everything other than that is up in the air. I have one client who’s doctor coded for pre-diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome and her private insurance covered 50% of her FreeStyle Libre sensors. Another (non-diabetic) client is prone to hypoglycemia. This was enough to get 50% coverage. I’ve had a Medicare advantage patient with prediabetes get full coverage. But most people will not get insurance coverage.
Start without insurance then continue WITH insurance
Because the price is fairly reasonable, I recommend my clients pay cash for the first month to get started. If the glucose data clearly shows dysregulated blood sugar, we can share the data with their provider. This is sometimes enough evidence for them to code so insurance will pick up part of the bill to make it more accessible in the long-run. Since 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has prediabetes, there’s a good chance you’ll qualify.
Readers and smartphones
Ideally, your smartphone has NFC capability and can be used as the reader. If not, you’ll also need to buy a reader.
The reader for FreeStyle Libre products costs $65 from the pharmacy, but is a one-time purchase. Keep in mind that just like with the sensors, your pharmacy might charge quite a bit more. So shop around!
Both of the OTC CGMs (Stelo and Lingo) require a compatable smartphone.
Free Trials
Both Dexcom and Abbot FreeStyle have programs where you can get your first sensor for free. You just need to go to their websites (hyperlinked here), apply and print out the coupon. You will still need a prescription, but the pharmacy will take the coupon when you go to purchase it. Note, not everyone will qualify for a free program. But you do not need to have diabetes to qualify.
What is the cheapest CGM?
The least expensive CGM without insurance by far is the FreeStyle Libre products. In the U.S. right now, you can get the Libre2, Libre 3 or 14-day system. At $80-150/month, you could say that you can’t afford NOT to use one. Compare that to the cost of chronic disease, it’s a great deal. Keep in mind that both Dexcom and Abbott offer a Free Trial from their website to get your first sensor free. This makes your first month super cheap (As low as $40!), and the base price can’t be beat.
However, if you factor in the cost of a doctor’s appointment, it may be less expensive to go for one of the OTC CGMs. At around $100/month, it’s not too much more than the Libre.
Who has the best price on FreeStyle Libre CGMs?
If you are going the prescription route, then you need to make sure you get the best price at your pharmacy. Pharmacies can price the sensors however they like. So I recommend you do your homework before bringing them your prescription.
I’ve seen the price as low as $37/sensor for the FreeStyle Libre products. But I’ve also seen them for over $100 each!
The Costco Pharmacy seems to have the lowest price across the country. Sam’s Club might be the the name where you live. You can use the Costco pharmacy even if you are NOT a member.
Fred Meyers/Krogers and Walmart also tend to have good prices.
I recommend calling your pharmacy to ask their cash price. If the price is over $40/sensor for the FreeStyle Libre products, shop around. Call the other pharmacies in your area to find out their prices and have your prescription sent there.
Pharmacies opaque pricing
I’ve experienced many times having a pharmacy quote me a much higher cash price for a CGM over the phone, only to find the price drop when I’m paying. While this is actually kind of good news, it can put a lot of people off.
Specifically, when I call my local Fred Meyer pharmacy, they quote me (and my patients) $75 for a Libre 2 (this is as recent as June 2023). When I ask them what kind of coupons or discounts I can use, they do a little magic and presto… the price is $40 per sensor.
Coupons like SingleCare or GoodRx can do this for you. But if you’re a regluar CGM user, you can contact Abbott on their website to get on a program that keeps your cash price as low as possible (around $40).
And yes, I know this is all ludicrous. But I wasn’t consulted in the creation of it all. All I can do is pass on the insane information!
Need help getting started with a CGM?
Getting your CGM is just the first step. Interpreting your data and knowing what to do with it is a whole different thing.
I offer a few levels of help to get you started. I have a DIY program for $97 with really great instructions and video guides to teach you how to interpret your data, and helps you level up your nutrition knowledge with all the ways to improve your blood sugar along the way. Or you can level up and get a little bit (or a lot) of support from me. You can click HERE to see the programs we offer. On your own, the data can be confusing and frustrating, even if you have some understanding of it.
I support CGM use all day every day and can help you get the most out of the data you’ve paid for. In just 4 weeks, you can learn exactly what your blood sugar triggers are and the minimim effective dose of change that is needed to move the needle. Even if it’s not food! Sometimes people are doing WAY more restriction, keto or fasting than is necessary because their issue isn’t about the food. Join one of our short 1:1 or group programs to make rapid progress and become your own blood sugar expert.
Want to learn more about how to use a CGM?
This e-book tells you a little more about what a CGM is used for, the cost and how to obtain one.
