Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)

Who can get funded CGMs?

You need to be diagnosed with one of the following:

1. type 1 diabetes
2. permanent neonatal diabetes (diabetes since you were born)
3. some types of “monogenic diabetes” with insulin deficiency
4. type 3c diabetes (includes insulin deficiency caused by pancreatectomy, insulin cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis)
5. some atypical inherited forms of diabetes

If you’re not sure whether this describes your diabetes, your doctor or diabetes specialist team will be able to help.

Your doctor or a member of your diabetes specialist team will apply for funding – this is called a special authority application. You may need to make an appointment, and this will be at your own cost.

Every two years, your doctor or specialist will review whether you’re still getting a benefit from your CGM and renew your “special authority”.

Do I have to have a CGM?

You do not have to have a CGM. There are no changes to the funding of other blood testing and insulin products. These will continue to be funded.

What CGMs can I get?

I only want a CGM

Two standalone CGMs will be funded:

The Dexcom One+(external link)

The Freestyle Libre 2(external link)

Standalone CGMs will be funded for everyone with type 1 diabetes or type 3c diabetes. You will be able to choose either of these CGM devices.(external link)

I am interested in an insulin pump and CGM

We are funding three CGMs that work with insulin pumps:

Dexcom G6(external link)

Dexcom G7(external link)

Freestyle Libre 3+

These are only funded for use with insulin pumps.

More about who can get an insulin pump and CGM

What accessories are funded?

Adhesive over-patches will be supplied with all of the Dexcom devices. Adhesive patches are not needed for the Freestyle Libre devices.

The suppliers will provide a standalone reader device to people who do not have a compatible smartphone that they can operate the relevant application on.

You will need a prescription

Your GP or your diabetes specialist team can write prescriptions for CGMs. You will need a new prescription every three months.

You may need to pay a co-payment (usually $5) at the pharmacy if you do not qualify for free prescriptions.

You should be able to pick up three months’ supply of CGMs from your pharmacy.

How many CGMs can I get?

There are limits to how many CGM devices you can get each year. We set these based on the manufacturers’ recommended usage guide.

For the Freestyle Libre 2:

• Up to 29 devices each year.
• Up to 6 devices on each prescription. 

For the Dexcom ONE+:

• Up to 40 devices each year.
• Up to 9 devices on each prescription

What happens if I’m already self-funding CGMs?

You will still need to talk to your doctor or your diabetes specialist team. They will have to apply for funding, this is called a special authority application.

Either your doctor or someone on your diabetes specialist team can write a prescription for CGMs. You will need a new prescription every three months.

Instead of receiving your CGMs directly, you will need to collect your prescription from your pharmacy.

Every two years, your doctor or your specialist diabetes team will review whether you’re still getting a benefit from the devices and apply for a new “special authority”.

I’ve already paid for a subscription

If you haven’t heard from the supplier of your CGM subscription, you will need to contact them.

Future proofing

Over time, the suppliers will update their products. Our contracts allow Pharmac to review these products and consider listing them. We won’t need to do a new procurement process anytime products are improved.