A continuous glucose monitor typically costs between $150 and $555 per month without insurance, depending on the brand and where you buy it. With insurance, most people pay significantly less, though exact copays vary widely by plan. The total you’ll spend depends on which system you choose, whether you have coverage, and how you source your supplies.
Cost by Brand Without Insurance
The two most popular CGM systems sit at very different price points when you’re paying out of pocket. The FreeStyle Libre 3 from Abbott is the more affordable option, with a retail price around $205 for a one-month supply (two sensors). Using discount tools like GoodRx, you can bring that closer to $155, and some pharmacies price it even lower. Hy-Vee, for example, has been listed at about $151, while Walmart and Costco hover around $155 to $165.
The Dexcom G7 costs considerably more. A one-month carton of two sensors carries an average retail price of about $555. GoodRx coupons can cut that to roughly $174, which is a dramatic difference worth checking before you fill a prescription. If you need a standalone reader device rather than using your smartphone, the FreeStyle Libre 3 reader runs about $139. The companion apps for both Dexcom and Libre are free.
The Medtronic Guardian system falls between the two on sensor cost, at roughly $60 per sensor. However, its sensors only last about seven days compared to 10 days for the Dexcom G7 and 14 days for the Libre 3, so you’ll go through more of them each month. Transmitters for these systems last around three months and cost $200 to $350 to replace, adding to the ongoing expense.
The Implantable Option: Eversense E3
The Eversense E3 takes a different approach. A doctor implants a sensor under your skin that lasts up to six months, eliminating the need to swap adhesive sensors every week or two. The tradeoff is a higher upfront cost and the need for a minor in-office procedure. Based on pricing for the 90-day version, the sensor runs $900 to $1,000 each, and the transmitter (which lasts about a year) costs $600 to $800. Insertion runs $200 to $300, with removal and reinsertion at $300 to $400.
All in, that works out to roughly $2,900 to $3,500 per year. For comparison, a year of Dexcom G7 at full retail would cost over $6,600, while a year of Libre 3 at retail runs about $2,460. If you’re uninsured and committed to long-term CGM use, the Eversense may actually save money despite its sticker shock.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Most commercial insurance plans cover CGMs for people with diabetes, but your out-of-pocket share depends on whether the plan classifies the device as durable medical equipment (DME) or routes it through pharmacy benefits. This distinction matters more than you might expect. A plan might charge 20% coinsurance under DME benefits but only 10% through pharmacy benefits for the same product. It’s worth calling your insurer to ask which pathway applies and what your copay would be under each.
Medicare covers CGMs and related supplies under Part B if you take insulin or have a history of problematic low blood sugar episodes, and if you or a caregiver have been trained to use the device properly. You’ll pay the standard 20% coinsurance after meeting your Part B deductible, which makes the monthly cost much more manageable than retail pricing.
Medicaid coverage is available in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., though the rules differ significantly from state to state. Some states limit coverage to people on intensive insulin therapy, while others have broader eligibility. Checking with your state’s Medicaid program is the only reliable way to know what’s covered.
Manufacturer Savings Programs
Abbott offers a copay savings card for the FreeStyle Libre that can reduce costs for people with commercial insurance or no insurance at all. The card is not available to anyone on Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs. Massachusetts residents face an additional restriction: only those paying the full cost of the product may qualify.
Dexcom runs similar assistance programs. These manufacturer discounts can make a real difference, particularly if you’re in that gap where you have commercial insurance but face a high deductible or steep coinsurance. It’s worth checking both manufacturers’ websites before your first fill.
Wellness CGMs for People Without Diabetes
A growing number of companies market CGMs to people without diabetes who want to track how food, exercise, and sleep affect their blood sugar. These subscriptions bundle the hardware with an app, data analysis, and sometimes coaching. They cost considerably more than buying the sensors alone.
Nutrisense charges $399 per month on a month-to-month plan, dropping to $225 per month if you commit to a full year. Each plan includes two CGM sensors per month and access to a nutritionist for the first month. Signos starts at $449 for a single month and drops to $189 per month on a six-month plan, including three sensors per month and a telehealth assessment to get a prescription.
These prices reflect the coaching and software layer on top of the sensor cost. If you’re primarily curious about glucose trends and don’t need personalized guidance, getting a prescription from your doctor and buying Libre 3 sensors directly at the pharmacy will cost a fraction of what these subscriptions charge.
The Real Monthly Cost Breakdown
To budget accurately, factor in more than just sensors. Here’s what ongoing CGM use looks like across the major systems:
- FreeStyle Libre 3: About $155 to $205 per month for sensors (no separate transmitter needed). Optional reader device is $139 one time if you don’t use a smartphone.
- Dexcom G7: About $174 to $555 per month for sensors depending on coupons. No separate transmitter purchase required with the G7, as it’s built into the sensor.
- Medtronic Guardian: Roughly $240 per month in sensors (about four per month at $60 each), plus $65 to $115 per month averaged over a transmitter’s three-month lifespan.
- Eversense E3: Roughly $240 to $290 per month when you average the sensor, transmitter, and procedure costs across a year.
With insurance, these numbers can drop to anywhere from $0 to $75 per month depending on your plan. The biggest variable isn’t which device you pick. It’s whether your coverage treats CGM supplies favorably and which benefit category they fall under. Before committing to a system, ask your insurer what your cost share would be for each brand specifically, since coverage tiers can differ even between CGMs on the same formulary.