Dexcom Stelo Expands CGM Access for More People with Type 2 Diabetes
Arguably one of the most important advances in diabetes management in recent years has been continuous glucose monitoring. Up until now, it’s been difficult for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or those not on insulin to get CGM covered by insurance. Thanks to the FDA’s recent approval of Dexcom Stelo – a CGM that can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription – many more people with type 2 diabetes will now be able to benefit from invaluable CGM technology.
How Stelo Is Different Than Other CGMs
Stelo is cleared for use in people 18 and older who are not on insulin and who do not have problematic hypoglycemia. The Stelo sensor is worn on the back of the upper arm and sends blood sugar readings directly to a smartphone, measuring, recording, analyzing and displaying glucose values and trends every 15 minutes (as opposed to every 5 minutes like other CGMs). The device is built on the Dexcom G7 platform, but it does not have alerts and alarms like the G7, and each sensor is made to last up to 15 days rather than 10.
The Benefits of CGM Technology in Type 2 Diabetes
Continuous glucose monitoring plays a vital role in managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, helping people improve their time in range, A1c, and overall quality of life. Dexcom Stelo detects normal, low, and high blood sugar levels 24/7, helping people with type 2 better understand how food, exercise, and other lifestyle factors impact their blood sugar and blood sugar management. Dexcom’s Stelo is another huge advancement in empowering more people with diabetes to take better control of their health.
When Will Dexcom Stelo Be Available?
Stelo will be available for purchase online in the U.S. this summer. To learn more about Stelo and be among the first to know when it launches, visit Dexcom.com.
Additional Resources:
Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Type 2s: An Incredible Tool to Take Control of Your Diabetes
I have type 1 and I like that if I’m in a jam on the weekend I can go to a pharmacy and buy one if these. I know there is no alarms but it’s better than nothing!
Exactly! Nice to have the option!
I agree with Jessie — it’ll be nice to have access to these when my PBM decides to ask my endo if I still have Type 1 diabetes every year at a time that conveniences them to delay my next bundle of sensors (here’s looking at you, Optum ).
The lack of the alarms might actually be really, really nice, too.
If anyone hears of the street price of these sensors, let the rest of us know!
Strange that alerts and alarms are not controlled in my pump. You would think that the software in pump would sound any alerts and alarms based on what it receives from the G7 … having that in the sensor, just means added load on battery, and a 10 day life vs. 15. A longer sensor session would be great! Of course if the sessions were 15 and not 10 days, it would impact profits … I wait to see the costs and insurance coverage when it comes out!