The short answer
Yes — Medicare covers continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) like the Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre systems for people with diabetes who meet the coverage criteria. What's changed in recent years is that the rules have broadened: you no longer have to be on multiple daily insulin injections to qualify in every case.
The key is that a CGM is covered as durable medical equipment under Part B when it's prescribed for diabetes management and you meet the medical requirements. That distinction — Part B, not Part D — matters for how you get it and what you pay.
Who qualifies for a covered CGM
Generally, Medicare covers a CGM for people with diabetes who use insulin, or who have a history of problematic low blood sugar, when a doctor documents that you're managing your diabetes actively and a CGM is medically necessary. Your prescriber has to be treating your diabetes and keep records that support the need.
Because the exact criteria can shift and depend on your situation, the practical move is to have your doctor confirm you meet the current requirements and write the order accordingly. If your medications are part of the picture, our guide to checking your Medicare drug coverage can help you see the full cost.
Part B vs. Part D — why it matters
A covered CGM and its sensors come under Part B as durable medical equipment, which means you generally pay the Part B deductible and then a share of the cost (coinsurance) unless you have coverage that fills that gap. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan or a Medicare Advantage plan's cost structure can change what you actually pay.
The insulin you use is a separate question handled under Part D or, for insulin used with certain pumps, under Part B. The two-part structure is why diabetes costs on Medicare confuse people — the monitor and the medication can be covered under different parts. Our Medicare and diabetes coverage guide breaks down supplies, medications, and what you'll pay together.
What to do next
If you have diabetes and don't have a CGM yet, the first step is a conversation with the doctor who manages your diabetes about whether you meet the criteria. If you do, they submit the order to a supplier that bills Medicare.
If you already have one and the cost feels high, it's usually because of the Part B coinsurance — which is exactly the kind of gap a supplement is designed to cover. It's worth a quick review of how your coverage handles durable medical equipment before you assume the price is fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre?
Yes, Medicare covers these continuous glucose monitors as durable medical equipment under Part B for people with diabetes who meet the medical criteria and have a prescribing doctor managing their diabetes.
Do I have to be on insulin to get a covered CGM?
Not always. Coverage has broadened beyond intensive insulin users to include some people with a history of problematic low blood sugar. Your doctor documents that a CGM is medically necessary for your situation.
Is a CGM covered under Part B or Part D?
A covered CGM and its sensors fall under Part B as durable medical equipment. The insulin you use is generally covered under Part D (or Part B with certain pumps).
Why is my CGM still expensive with Medicare?
Under Part B you typically owe the deductible and 20% coinsurance unless you have a Medigap or Advantage plan that limits that cost. That coinsurance is often the reason a covered CGM still has an out-of-pocket cost.
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