Do You Need a Prescription for a CGM?

CGM systems are making it easier and more comfortable for people with diabetes to monitor their sugar levels. While finger-prick testing can only give one reading, CGMs allow users to view their glucose levels at any time, allowing them to live better lives and helping doctors understand how glucose behaves better.

Many people still ask one central question: Is a prescription required to get a continuous glucose monitor? There are different answers depending on where you are, your health, your insurance, and the chosen CGM brand.

Our in-depth guide covers all aspects of CGM prescriptions, when you might need one, if insurance helps, and what to do if you don’t have a doctor. If you’re just learning about diabetes or pondering CGM, this article will support you in making a wise choice.

Understanding CGMs: What Are They and Why Are They Used?

Before looking at prescription options, make sure you know what CGMs are and why they are crucial. Continuous Glucose Monitors are small devices that you wear that monitor your glucose level under your skin. Most systems include a tiny sensor, a transmitter, and a display app or receiver.

The Benefits of Using CGMs

• Notifications when blood glucose is too high or too low
• Long-term trends and patterns can aid in better management.
• Some diabetic monitors do away with the need to take frequent fingersticks.
• Connection to insulin pumps in order to achieve closed-loop control
• Remote monitoring abilities make things easier for parents or caregivers.

For these benefits, CGMs are commonly used by individuals with Type 1 diabetes, insulin-using Type 2 diabetes and occasionally by women with gestational diabetes. Does every medical condition give someone the right to bypass a prescription?

Is a Prescription Required for CGMs in the U.S.?

In the United States, as of 2025, most Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. Among these are widely chosen devices known as Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3, and Medtronic Guardian Connect.

Why Prescriptions Are Mandatory in the U.S?

The FDA has determined CGMs are Class II medical devices, so they require moderate control because of the risks of mistakes in glucose levels. With a prescription, the patient can be sure they are using the correct medicine.

• An accurate diagnosis and proper training of patients
• Make sure users do not have trouble with how the system operates
• Insurance rules and who is eligible

The doctor studies your medical and dietary history, blood sugar control and other information to decide if a CGM is needed. Patients are also given a chance to learn how to put in, check (calibrate) and correctly read the results from the device.

Are There CGMs Available Without a Prescription?

Although CGMs that the FDA has approved need a prescription in the U.S., some businesses are calling for them to be sold without a prescription. Even so, there are no commercially available CGMs offered freely in the United States.

Grey Market or Workarounds

Many patients look for sensors and transmitters online from vendors outside the United States, even though:

• Has not been authorized by the FDA
• There are risks and uncertainties with this approach.
• It may make your warranties invalid
• There is no regulation required from a healthcare provider.

Despite the ease of ordering without insurance or a doctor, the chances of problems with usage or understanding are high.

 

Why Are Prescriptions Not Required in Some Countries?

Interestingly, many countries do not require prescriptions for CGMs. For example:

Country	Prescription Required?	Notes
United States	Yes	Required for all major brands
Canada	Yes	Required, but with some flexibility
UK	No	Available via NHS or private pharmacies
Australia	Yes	Required, especially for subsidies
Germany	Yes	Doctor-guided but fully reimbursed
India	No	Available online and over-the-counter

Reasons for Varying Regulations

• Different organizations in each country regulate drugs and medicines.
• Coverage by government health insurance
• Different ways devices (such as insulin pumps) communicate with each other
• Official diabetes care guidelines for nations

In the UK, you can get the FreeStyle Libre with the NHS or buy it at any pharmacy. As a result, patients can get what they need quicker, but they must understand all the details on their own.

Which CGM Brands Require Prescriptions?

Here’s a quick breakdown of major CGM brands and whether they require a prescription in the U.S.:

Brand	Prescription Required (U.S.)	Notes
Dexcom G6/G7	Yes	Must go through pharmacy or DME provider
FreeStyle Libre 2/3	Yes	Some retail pharmacies offer walk-in consultations
Medtronic Guardian	Yes	Usually bundled with insulin pumps
Eversense	Yes	Requires surgical sensor placement every 90–180 days

It is important to seek professional help for all of these, since they sometimes need regular calibration or check-ups.

 

Steps to Get a CGM with a Prescription

 

If your doctor give you a prescription, here’s what to do:

Check with Your Medical Doctor

Schedule a visit with your doctor, endocrinologist or diabetologist. Let your doctor know what type of diabetes you have, what symptoms affect you, your A1c levels and what you hope to achieve.

 

Insurance Authorization

The doctor could send documents to your insurance company to learn about covering your treatment. Most importantly, criteria include:

• Insulin dependency
• Frequent hypoglycemia
• Glucose levels that aren’t well managed
• Problems caused by diabetes are already present

Choose your preferred CGM device.

Your healthcare provider will support you in picking the CGM that meets your needs, depending on your everyday schedule, your ability to use technology, and your budget.

Fill the Prescription

You can get your CGM from a local drugstore, order it to be delivered by a mail-order pharmacy, or source it through a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company.

Learn to Use It

Your doctor or a certified diabetes educator (CDE) could show you how to manage your diabetes.

• Sensor insertion
• App usage
• Data interpretation
• Automatic alerts and rules

Can Telemedicine Doctors Prescribe CGMs?

Absolutely. Getting a CGM prescription through telemedicine is now both appealing and legal, especially in the U.S. Lots of online diabetes care sites schedule remote meetings and can send you prescriptions that you can use to buy supplies either at local pharmacies or online DME shops. It is beneficial for people who live in rural areas or see an endocrinologist only infrequently.

CGM Access Without Insurance: Is It Still Possible?

Yes, but expect to pay out-of-pocket and still need a prescription. Approximate retail costs in the U.S.:

CGM System	Initial Kit Cost	Monthly Sensor Cost
Dexcom G7	$300–350	$130–200/month
FreeStyle Libre 2/3	$150–200	$75–120/month
Eversense	$1,000+	$300–500 for replacements

Some companies offer discounted cash programs, patient assistance, or trials. You can also use HSA/FSA accounts for payment.

Future of OTC CGMs in the U.S.

In 2025, organizations are trying to introduce CGMs into the OTC market. Dexcom has applied to make the G7 accessible without a doctor’s prescription. Given approval such a measure would:

• Provide more opportunities for pre-diabetics and Type 2 patients to attend courses.
• Relieve providers from too many responsibilities
• Allow more customers to easily access your product.

 

FDA approval of OTC CGMs would greatly improve the accessibility of diabetes care.

FAQs
1. Can I buy a CGM without seeing a doctor?

Most CGMs in the United States can only be bought with a prescription, so you need a doctor’s assistance or a telehealth connection. In certain countries around the world, you can buy OTC medicines without a prescription.

2. Does insurance cover CGMs without a prescription?

Normally, insurance companies expect a physician’s prescription, a letter to demonstrate eligibility, and sometimes a prior authorization letter before they will approve CGM coverage.

3. Is it legal to import CGMs from other countries to avoid prescription rules?

Despite being legal for up to 90 days, importing medicines this way may make any warranties invalid, leave you without FDA control, and lead to safety concerns.

4. Are there any apps or wearables that mimic CGMs without a prescription?

All CGM alternatives that the FDA approves require a prescription. Specific wellness trackers say they can check glucose, but they are not as accurate as real glucose monitoring devices.

5. Will CGMs ever be available without prescriptions in the U.S.?

Possibly. Dexcom and Abbott are trying to obtain approval from the FDA for OTC CGM models. By 2026 or beyond, patients may no longer need prescriptions to obtain new VS antifungal drugs.

Conclusion

Getting a prescription for a CGM might seem like a hassle, but it keeps users safe, shows the proper method to use, and may provide some insurance coverage. Even though international alternatives are simple to use, the U.S. values rules and healthcare worker participation to ensure care is always up to standard.

As new CGM developments are made and the push for preventive care grows, the day may arrive when these devices are available for everyone who needs them. At this point, moving through the prescription process is a fundamental step in caring for glucose levels and health.

Evelyn Brown