How to order a Dexcom (continuous glucose monitoring system) for a patient?

From the Guidelines

To order a Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system for a patient, first determine if the patient meets medical necessity criteria, typically having diabetes and requiring insulin management, and then follow the specific guidelines outlined in the most recent standards of care, such as those provided by the 2025 Diabetes Care standards 1. The process involves several key steps:

• Contact the patient's insurance provider to verify coverage and any prior authorization requirements.
• Complete a prescription that includes the specific Dexcom model (such as G6 or G7), transmitters, sensors, and receiver if needed, along with the diagnosis code and frequency of replacement (typically sensors every 10-14 days depending on the model, and transmitters every 3 months) 1.
• Submit this prescription to a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier that works with Dexcom products or directly to Dexcom.
• Ensure the patient receives proper education on device use, either through your office or the supplier's resources, as continuous glucose monitoring is valuable for patients with diabetes as it provides real-time glucose readings without frequent fingersticks, helps identify glucose trends, and can alert patients to high or low glucose levels, ultimately improving glycemic control and reducing complications 1. Key considerations include:
• The choice of device should be made based on the individual’s circumstances, preferences, and needs, with options including real-time CGM (rtCGM), intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM), and professional CGM 1.
• Patients should be taught how to use CGM data to adjust food intake, exercise, and pharmacologic therapy, and the need for and frequency of CGM should be reevaluated at each visit to avoid overuse 1.
• The most recent guidelines, such as the 2025 standards, should be consulted for the latest recommendations on CGM use and management 1.

From the Research

Ordering a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

To order a Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system for a patient, the following steps can be taken:

• Consult with a healthcare professional to determine if a continuous glucose monitoring system is suitable for the patient's needs 2, 3.
• Choose a Dexcom system that meets the patient's requirements, such as the G4 Platinum continuous glucose monitoring system 4.
• Ensure the patient has a prescription for the Dexcom system from their healthcare provider.
• Contact a medical supply company or pharmacy that carries Dexcom products to place the order.
• Provide the patient's prescription and any necessary insurance information to complete the order.

Eligibility and Insurance Coverage

• Check with the patient's insurance provider to determine if the Dexcom system is covered under their plan 5.
• Verify the patient's eligibility for the Dexcom system based on their medical history and current treatment plan 2, 3.
• Consider any out-of-pocket costs or copays associated with the Dexcom system.

Clinical Use and Benefits

• Continuous glucose monitoring systems like Dexcom have been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia 2, 6, 3.
• The Dexcom system can provide real-time glucose readings and alerts to help patients manage their diabetes more effectively 4, 3.
• Healthcare professionals can use data from the Dexcom system to adjust treatment plans and improve patient outcomes 2, 5.