Getting a Dexcom G6 requires a prescription from a healthcare provider, followed by either a pharmacy pickup or an order through a medical equipment supplier. The process typically involves a doctor’s visit, an insurance check (or decision to pay out of pocket), and choosing how you want your supplies delivered. One important note upfront: Dexcom will stop manufacturing the G6 after July 1, 2026, so if you’re starting fresh, you may want to ask your doctor about the newer G7 instead.
Step 1: Get a Prescription
The Dexcom G6 is cleared for anyone age 2 and older with diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2. You cannot buy it over the counter. A doctor, endocrinologist, or other qualified provider must write you a prescription, and in most cases, they’ll also need to document that continuous glucose monitoring is medically necessary for your situation.
If you already have an endocrinologist or primary care doctor managing your diabetes, this is usually a straightforward conversation at your next appointment. If you don’t have an established provider, telehealth platforms that specialize in diabetes care can also write CGM prescriptions. Companies like Teladoc Health have partnered directly with Dexcom to support remote diabetes management, so a virtual visit is a legitimate path if in-person care isn’t convenient.
Step 2: Check Your Insurance Coverage
Before filling your prescription, it’s worth understanding what your insurance will cover and how. Most private insurance plans cover CGMs, but the cost to you depends on whether the device runs through your pharmacy benefit or your durable medical equipment (DME) benefit. These are two separate channels with different copay structures, and the difference can be significant.
With pharmacy benefits, the process looks like any other prescription. Your doctor sends it to your preferred pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc.), you pick it up, and you pay your copay. With DME benefits, your provider must specify medical necessity on the prescription, and then you or your care team contact a DME supplier that’s in-network with your insurance. The supplier ships supplies to your home.
Even when the same product is covered under both benefits, the out-of-pocket cost can differ. One plan might charge you 20% of the total through DME but only 10% through the pharmacy. It’s worth calling your insurance company and asking which route gives you the lower copay before deciding.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare covers continuous glucose monitors if your doctor orders one and you meet two conditions: you take insulin or have a history of problematic low blood sugar, and you (or your caregiver) have been trained on how to use the device. Traditional Medicare only covers CGMs through the DME benefit, meaning you’ll need to work with a DME supplier rather than a retail pharmacy. Medicare Advantage plans, however, often cover CGMs at the pharmacy, which can simplify the process.
What Insurance Companies Want to See
Many insurers require prior authorization before they’ll approve a CGM. This means your doctor submits clinical documentation proving the device is necessary for you. The specifics vary by plan, but common requirements include a confirmed diabetes diagnosis, evidence that you use insulin (often three or more daily injections or an insulin pump), and at least one of the following: frequent episodes of severely low blood sugar, low blood sugar episodes where you needed someone else’s help, or an A1c of 7% or higher.
Your doctor’s office handles the paperwork, but the process can take days to weeks depending on the insurer. If your prior authorization is denied, your provider can appeal. Some plans also want documentation that you’ve received training on how to use a CGM and that you’ll share your readings with your care team. The more prepared your doctor is with these records at the time of submission, the faster approval tends to go.
Pharmacy Pickup vs. DME Supplier
Once you’re approved (or if your plan doesn’t require prior authorization), you’ll get your G6 through one of two routes.
The pharmacy route is the simpler experience. Your prescription goes to a retail or mail-order pharmacy, and you pick up your sensors and transmitter the same way you’d pick up any medication. Refills work the same way, typically on a monthly cycle.
The DME route involves ordering from a specialized medical supply company. You or your doctor’s office contacts the supplier, they verify your insurance, and they ship supplies to your home. This can mean longer lead times on your first order, but many people find the automatic shipment schedule convenient once it’s set up. If your insurance only covers CGMs under DME (as traditional Medicare does), this is your only option.
Paying Without Insurance
If you don’t have CGM coverage or your copay is high, Dexcom offers a pharmacy savings program that cuts the retail cash price by more than 50%. The coupon saves over $210 on every 30-day supply of sensors and more than $200 on a receiver. Anyone with a valid Dexcom prescription can use it at a retail pharmacy, and you can reuse it up to 12 times per year. The catch: you must opt out of insurance coverage and any other copay assistance to use this particular coupon.
Dexcom also runs a separate Patient Assistance Program for U.S. residents who meet certain income thresholds. You apply directly through Dexcom’s website to find out if you qualify for additional discounts beyond the standard savings coupon.
The G6 Is Being Phased Out
Dexcom has confirmed that G6 manufacturing ends on July 1, 2026. Supplies may still be available through pharmacies and distributors for some time after that date, but availability isn’t guaranteed. Dexcom recommends working with your doctor to transition to the G7 or G7 15 Day before that cutoff to avoid any gaps in your supply.
If you’re just starting the process of getting a CGM now, it’s worth asking your provider whether the G7 makes more sense. The prescription, insurance, and ordering process is essentially the same for both devices, and starting on the newer model means you won’t need to switch later. That said, if your insulin pump is specifically compatible with the G6 and not yet with the G7, sticking with the G6 for now may be the practical choice. Your endocrinologist can help you weigh that decision based on your current setup.