Dexcom G6® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Will Be Available to Medicare Beneficiaries with Diabetes in Early 2019

“The Dexcom G6 is a game-changer for people with diabetes, and we are thrilled to provide this innovative technology to the many Americans with diabetes who rely on Medicare,” said Kevin Sayer, President and CEO of Dexcom. “With the CMS policy coverage, Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who use G6 will no longer require fingersticks to make treatment decisions or calibrate their CGM.”

The new Dexcom G6 boasts a number of features that make it a very powerful diabetes management tool.

• Zero fingersticks – No fingersticks needed for calibration or diabetes treatment decisions
• One-touch applicator – Redesigned one-touch applicator that is virtually painless
• Low-profile wearable – New transmitter with a 28 percent lower profile for comfortable wear
• Mobile compatibility – Compatibility with smart device apps to display and share glucose information with up to five people
• Alerts and alarms – Customizable alerts and alarms to proactively warn users of pending dangerous high and low blood sugar levels

Who is covered?

According to CMS, therapeutic CGM may be covered by Medicare when all of the following criteria are met:

• The beneficiary has diabetes mellitus; and,
• The beneficiary has been using a home blood glucose monitor (BGM) and performing frequent (four or more times a day) BGM testing; and,
• The beneficiary is insulin-treated with multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin or a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump; and,
• The beneficiary’s insulin treatment regimen requires frequent adjustment by the beneficiary on the basis of therapeutic CGM testing results; and,
• In six (6) months prior to ordering the CGM, the beneficiary had an in-person visit with the treating practitioner to evaluate their diabetes control and determine that the above criteria are met; and,
• Every six (6) months following the initial prescription of the CGM, the beneficiary has an in-person visit with the treating practitioner to assess adherence to their CGM regimen and diabetes treatment plan.

How to get the Dexcom G6? It’s easy.

• New customers of Dexcom can get started today with Dexcom G5 Mobile by going to http://www.dexcom.com/medicare-coverage.
• Once G6 is available, Dexcom will be reaching out to current Medicare G5 customers when their transmitter is eligible to be replaced.
• Dexcom will also discuss the G6 and the Medicare beneficiary’s eligibility during routine monthly contact.

About CGM

CGM devices are considered one of the most significant breakthroughs in diabetes management in the past 40 years^1., and Dexcom has been a leader of those innovations. Diabetes affects nearly 30 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States^2.. The traditional standard-of-care for glucose monitoring has been a fingerstick meter, which is painful as some people with diabetes needed to test their blood up to 12 times a day. CGM is important because, in addition to providing the glucose level, it provides the direction and rate of glucose change with the push of a button and alerts users when glucose levels are too low or too high. People with diabetes who take insulin must monitor their blood glucose levels frequently. Uncontrolled glucose can cause health complications and even death^3. , ^4.. To learn more about CGM, visit www.dexcom.com.

About DexCom, Inc.

DexCom, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, is dedicated to helping people better manage their diabetes by developing and marketing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products and tools for adult and pediatric people with diabetes. With exceptional performance, comfort and lifestyle flexibility at the heart of its technology, users have consistently ranked DexCom highest in customer satisfaction and loyalty. For more information on the Dexcom CGM, visit www.dexcom.com.

References

^1. Clarke SF and Foster JR. A history of blood glucose meters and their role in self-monitoring of diabetes mellitus. Br J Biomed Sci. 2012;(3)2:83-93.
^2. 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf Accessed March 31, 2015.
^3. Hyperglycemia (High blood glucose). American Diabetes Association Web site. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html. Updated August 5, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013.
^4. Hypoglycemia (Low blood glucose). American Diabetes Association Web site. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html. Updated July 16, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013.

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