Dexcom’s G6 continuous glucose monitoring system will now be available at no cost for qualifying veterans through all U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacies, the company announced Tuesday.
To qualify for a Dexcom G6 completely covered by the VA, patients must have diabetes mellitus, subscribe to an insulin regimen that requires three or more injections a day and four or more blood glucose level checks a day, have the skill set to operate a CGM, and agree to have ongoing appointments to evaluate adherence to the G6.
Patients must also fall into at least one of the following categories: being at risk for hypoglycemia, difficulty meeting desired glycemic control despite following their regimen, working in a setting where a hypoglycemic event could put them at risk of harm, or the inability to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose due to disability or disease.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Diabetes affected more than 34 million Americans in 2018, or about 10.5% of the U.S. population, according to the American Diabetes Association.
The chronic disease is more prevalent in veterans, who make up 9% of the U.S. population, according to research published in Preventing Chronic Disease. The overall prevalence of diabetes among U.S. veterans was 20.5% between 2013 and 2014, according to the report. It affects nearly 25% of VA patients.
Before now, VA prescriptions for Dexcom’s CGM were filed through the Durable Medical Equipment channel, which could result in additional costs and in delays in getting the equipment of up to six weeks, according to Kevin Sayer, president and CEO of Dexcom.
Now when VA patients get prescribed a Dexcom G6, they will be able to start using the CGM and refill supplies in two to three days at their local VA pharmacy, Sayer said in a statement.
THE LARGER TREND
Dexcom is coming off the heels of a successful second quarter, where the company raked in $451.8 million in total revenue, a year-over-year increase of 34% from $336.4 million in 2019.
The VA, in collaboration with Vitra Health, conducted a pilot last year that resulted in 98% of the veterans with Type 2 diabetes enrolled in the study reducing or controlling their estimated HbA1c level after 90 days.
In other CGM news, Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2 picked up coverage from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services earlier this month and is available to Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who meet eligibility criteria.
ON THE RECORD
“Previously, VA prescriptions for Dexcom CGM were filled through the Durable Medical Equipment channel, which can result in additional costs and potential delays for patients in obtaining the system and its supplies. In the past, patients may have waited two to six weeks for supplies, but now VA patients who are prescribed Dexcom G6 will be able to start CGM and refill supplies in just two to three days at their local VA pharmacy,” Sayer said in a statement.
“Veterans have made incredible sacrifices on behalf of our country, and they deserve to have access to the most innovative technology that can help make diabetes management easier and improve their health.”
