Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
From 1 October 2024, your doctor or your diabetes specialist can apply for funding.
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Update 1 November 2024
Supply status
We are hearing that people and pharmacies are having difficulty accessing CGMs. There is supply with suppliers, however there are delays within the supply chain between the supplier, wholesalers, and pharmacies. We ask that people are patient.
Supply status of the FreeStyle Libre 2
The supplier has brought forward the next shipment of FreeStyle Libre 2. It should be available to wholesalers in the week beginning 4 November 2024.
Prescription charges
We have been made aware that some pharmacies are charging additional fees for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. CGM devices listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule are fully funded, meaning that pharmacies should not charge anything more than the prescription co-payment (typically $5).
If you have been asked to pay more than this for your CGM device, please inform your pharmacy that CGMs are fully funded and that the only charge permitted is the standard prescription fee. If you continue to experience issues, please contact us for further support.
Who can get funded CGMs?
You need to be diagnosed with one of the following:
- type 1 diabetes
- permanent neonatal diabetes (diabetes since you were born)
- some types of “monogenic diabetes” with insulin deficiency
- type 3c diabetes (includes insulin deficiency caused by pancreatectomy, insulin cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis)
- 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.
I am interested in an insulin pump and CGM
If you have a funded Tandem t:slim x2 or MiniMed 770G, from 1 October your doctor or diabetes nurse can apply for you to access one of the following CGMs.
- Dexcom G6
- Dexcom G7
- Freestyle Libre 3+
If you don’t have a funded insulin pump, you will need your diabetes specialist team to assess you before you can get funded access to these devices.
More more CGMs for funded insulin pumps
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.
Do I need a smartphone?
The CGMs communicate to an app that can be installed on your phone. If you don't have a compatible phone, the suppliers can provide a standalone reader device.
You can get a FreeStyle Libre 2 reader, free of charge, by contacting Mediray. You can call their Customer Care team 0800 106 100 (Option 2).
You can get a Dexcom One+ reader, free of charge, by filling out a form from Dexcom(external link)
How do I start getting funded CGMs?
From the 1 October, CGMs will be funded and available.
You will need to make an appointment to see your GP or your diabetes specialist team for on or after 1 October 2024.
Your GP or your diabetes specialist team will need to apply for a Special Authority. In most cases you can get a Special Authority on the same day, but sometimes this can take a bit longer. They cannot apply for a special authority before 1 October 2024.
Once you have a Special Authority your GP or diabetes specialist team can write funded prescriptions for CGMs.
You will need a new prescription every three months.
You will need to go you your pharmacy to pick up your prescription. You may need to pay a co-payment (usually $5) at the pharmacy if you do not qualify for free prescriptions.
From the 1 October, you should be able to pick up three months’ supply of CGMs from your pharmacy. But it may be a good idea to call ahead and check if they have stock.
Please be patient
We know that many of you will want to get these devices the moment they are funded and available. The doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and clinical teams will also want to get these devices to you as soon as possible. But they are really stretched so you might need to wait a little.
We’re working with pharmacists and doctors to make sure they are ready for the 1 October roll out date. You can help by familiarising yourself with the products and booking appointments with your GP or diabetes specialist team.
Why do I need a prescription?
We have funded CGMs and insulin pumps in the same way we would a medicine. This means that, to access funded CGMs, you need to follow the same process as you would to get a medicine.
We rely on health care professionals to help people manage their diabetes using the medicines and devices we fund.
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 7 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.
Getting support
From the 1 October 2024, the helplines for each device will be open. If you have any technical questions, you can call:
- NZMS, for Dexcom CGM: 0508 634 103
- MediRay (Abbott) for FreeStyle CGM: 0800 106 100