than previous models. While the Dexcom may be slightly more accurate, both CGMs are considered very accurate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRead the user manual thoroughly before using your CGM. It is very important to familiarize yourself with the alarm settings and features of your CGM. Alarms enable you to keep tight control over your glucose. They can help you react to a high sugar, or remind you to eat something when you start to go low. You can often \u201ccatch\u201d a low before it gets too low, and prevent dangerous lows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nExamples of alarm features include:<\/span><\/p>\nDexcom G6 and G7:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The user can customize alert settings and sounds.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The user can turn off alert sounds or set it to vibrate, but even in vibrate mode, urgent low glucose and technical alarms (such as signal loss) will still sound if the notification is not acknowledged. So, it is still important to look at the phone to see other alarms, such as highs and (non-urgent) lows.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- The user can set critical alerts, such as urgent low glucose, to override the do not disturb and mute functions on their smartphone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
One downside to the FreeStyle Libre 14-day system is that it does not have an alarm feature. However, the FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 CGMs have alarm features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFreeStyle Libre 2 and 3:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The user can choose high and low glucose alarms as well as signal loss alarms, but the urgent low glucose alarm (55 mg\/dL) is mandatory and cannot be turned off. You must first start the sensor with your phone to get urgent alarms.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A signal loss alarm notifies the user when glucose alarms are not available.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The best way to find out about coverage and your out-of-pocket costs is to check with your health insurance provider or <\/span>Medicare<\/span> prescription plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nYou can also check the manufacturer\u2019s websites or call the manufacturer to ask about ways to save.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nDexcom offers a patient assistance program, which is available to people who meet certain income eligibility requirements. Visit the Dexcom savings center for other savings opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\nFreeStyle Libre<\/span> may offer a free trial of the Libre 2 or 3 systems. Contact Abbott via the Libre website for more information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nYou can always use a <\/span> card<\/span> to save on the cost of your CGM prescriptions, and refills, too. For example,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- A one-month supply (3 sensors) of Dexcom G6 sensors costs about $554, but a <\/span> coupon<\/span> can bring the cost down to as low as $320.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A Dexcom G6 transmitter, which lasts 90 days, has an out-of-pocket cost of about $371, but a <\/span> coupon<\/span> can bring the cost down to about $162.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A one-month supply (3 sensors) of Dexcom G7 sensors costs about $533, but using a <\/span> coupon<\/span> can bring the cost down to about $373. (You do not need to buy transmitters with the G7 sensors as they are already part of the sensor.)<\/span><\/li>\n
- A one-month supply of FreeStyle Libre 2 (2 sensors) costs about $217 if you pay out of pocket, but a <\/span> coupon<\/span> can bring the price down to $133.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\n\n| Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\n | Varies<\/span><\/td>\n | Varies<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Typically covered by Medicare prescription plans?<\/b><\/td>\n | Varies<\/span><\/td>\n | Varies<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n | Example: Dexcom G7 one box of 3 sensors for a 30-day supply<\/span><\/td>\n | Example: FreeStyle Libre 2 one box of 2 sensors for a 28-day supply<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Out-of-pocket cost<\/b><\/td>\n | $533<\/span><\/td>\n | $217<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| cost<\/b><\/td>\n | $373<\/span><\/td>\n | $133<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n People who use any type of CGMs may experience local skin reactions, such as irritation, redness, and swelling. Often, these go away as your body gets used to the sensor. Some will experience scarring and lumpy skin. It\u2019s very important to rotate the sensor site with each sensor change. Doing so will help minimize reactions. If skin problems are severe, bothersome, or persist, consult your healthcare professional for medical advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhen choosing a CGM, tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, OTC medicines, and vitamins or supplements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf you take the medicine <\/span>hydroxyurea<\/span>, you should not use Dexcom to monitor your glucose. In this case, you should consult your healthcare provider about a different way to monitor your sugar. High doses of acetaminophen (the ingredient found in Tylenol as well as many over-the-counter cough, flu, and cold medications) can falsely raise your readings, making you possibly miss low glucose events. If you take Tylenol, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhen using a <\/span>FreeStyle Libre CGM<\/span><\/a>, taking more than 500 mg of <\/span>vitamin C<\/span> daily may falsely affect readings, making them higher. In addition to a single-ingredient product, Vitamin C may be found in certain multivitamins\u2014and supplements such as Airborne or Emergen-C. You should not take these vitamins or supplements while wearing a Libre, because you may miss a severe low glucose event. If you\u2019re unsure if your vitamin or supplement contains vitamin C, you can ask your pharmacist to check.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTalk with your healthcare provider about potential interactions with your CGM that could affect your glucose readings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Dexcom?<\/span><\/h3>\nDexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 are two models of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). They monitor glucose levels every 5 minutes, significantly reducing the need for finger sticks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is FreeStyle Libre?<\/span><\/h3>\nFreeStyle Libre has several models\u2014FreeStyle Libre 14 day, FreeStyle Libre 2, and FreeStyle Libre 3. The FreeStyle Libre 3 is the newest version, monitoring and updating glucose levels every minute and updating data in real-time.<\/span><\/p>\n | | | | |
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