Getting a Dexcom G7 requires a prescription from your doctor, followed by either a pharmacy pickup or delivery through a medical equipment supplier. The process typically involves a conversation with your healthcare provider, an insurance check (or deciding to pay out of pocket), and choosing how you want to receive your sensors. With commercial insurance, you can pay as little as $89 per month, and without coverage, Dexcom offers a savings program that knocks $210 off the retail price each month.
Step 1: Get a Prescription
The Dexcom G7 is a prescription device, so the process starts with your doctor. You cannot buy one over the counter. If you have Type 1 diabetes, the prescription is straightforward. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your doctor will generally need to document that you use insulin (three or more injections per day, an insulin pump, or a combination regimen) or a GLP-1 injection for blood sugar management. Some insurers also want to see that your A1C is above 7.0% or that you have a history of low blood sugar episodes.
Your doctor doesn’t need to be an endocrinologist. Primary care providers regularly prescribe CGMs, and many are familiar with the documentation insurers expect. If your provider hasn’t prescribed one before, the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care recommends CGM for adults on multiple daily insulin injections, insulin pumps, or even basal insulin alone, which gives your doctor a strong clinical reference to cite in any paperwork.
Step 2: Check Your Insurance Coverage
Coverage criteria vary significantly between insurers, and even between plans from the same company. That said, most commercial plans follow a similar pattern. They typically want documentation showing you have a diabetes diagnosis, use insulin, require frequent dose adjustments, and have been seen by your provider within the past six months. Some plans still require proof that you were checking fingerstick blood sugars at least three times daily before approving a CGM.
Your doctor’s office will usually handle the prior authorization process on your behalf. This involves submitting clinical notes and a letter of medical necessity to your insurer. If your plan requires prior authorization, having recent lab results (especially your A1C) and a record of your current insulin regimen on file will speed things up. Plans that have denied CGM coverage in the past are increasingly approving it as clinical guidelines have broadened their recommendations.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare Part B covers the Dexcom G7 if you take insulin or have a history of hypoglycemia, and if you or your caregiver have completed training on how to use the device. Medicare does not require you to be on multiple daily injections, which makes it more accessible than some commercial plans. If you’ve already been filling CGM supplies or insulin prescriptions in the past 180 days, you may be exempt from the prior authorization step entirely.
Pharmacy vs. Medical Equipment Supplier
Once you have a prescription and insurance approval, you’ll receive your Dexcom G7 through one of two channels: a retail or mail-order pharmacy, or a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. Which channel you use depends on how your insurance plan classifies CGM devices. Some plans cover it under a pharmacy benefit (you pick it up like any other prescription), while others cover it under a DME benefit (a supplier ships it to your home).
The difference matters more than you might expect. A study published in The American Journal of Managed Care found that patients who received their CGM through a DME supplier had significantly higher adherence rates: 78% for Medicare beneficiaries compared to 64% through pharmacies, and 60% versus 48% for commercially insured patients. The reason comes down to support. DME suppliers tend to build ongoing relationships with patients, checking in about device use and helping troubleshoot issues. Pharmacies, by design, are set up for dispensing rather than long-term device support.
Patients using DME channels also had 35% lower total healthcare costs over 12 months, saving an average of $3,875 per patient, and commercially insured DME users had fewer emergency department and inpatient days. If your insurance gives you a choice, the DME route is worth considering.
What It Costs Without Full Coverage
If your insurance doesn’t cover CGM or you’re uninsured, Dexcom’s Pharmacy Savings program offers $210 off the retail cash price of a monthly sensor pack. You can access this through the Dexcom Savings Center on their website. With commercial insurance that does cover CGM, the out-of-pocket cost can be as low as $89 per month, though this varies by plan and deductible status.
Discount platforms like GoodRx can also reduce the cash price at participating pharmacies, and it’s worth comparing prices between pharmacies, as they can vary considerably. If cost is a barrier, ask your doctor’s office about the Dexcom sample program, which provides free G7 sensors so you can try the system before committing. Your provider can request samples through a Dexcom representative or directly through the provider portal.
Setting Up Your Device
The Dexcom G7 is FDA-cleared for anyone age 2 and older. For adults and children over 6, the sensor goes on the back of your upper arm. Children ages 2 to 6 can also wear it on the upper buttocks. Each sensor lasts up to 10 days before needing replacement, and there’s a 12-hour grace period at the end.
You’ll need a compatible smartphone to use the Dexcom G7 app, which displays your glucose readings in real time. The minimum operating system requirements are iOS 18.6.0 for iPhones and Android 13 for Android devices. Dexcom maintains a full list of compatible phone models on their website, covering Apple, Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and many other brands. If your phone doesn’t meet the requirements, the G7 also works with a separate Dexcom receiver that you can purchase.
Once you have your sensors and the app installed, Dexcom recommends visiting dexcom.com/hello to walk through the initial setup. This guided digital experience covers sensor application, app pairing, and how to read your glucose data. The warmup period after applying a new sensor takes about 30 minutes before readings begin, which is notably faster than previous Dexcom models.
If Your Insurance Denies Coverage
Denials happen, but they’re often reversible. The most common reasons are incomplete documentation (missing A1C results, no record of insulin use, or no recent office visit on file). Your doctor’s office can submit an appeal with updated records. Including a letter of medical necessity that specifically references ADA treatment guidelines strengthens the case considerably.
If your plan requires proof of frequent fingerstick testing before approving a CGM, your doctor may need to document that you’ve been testing at least three to five times daily for the previous two months. Some plans also require completion of a diabetes education program. These requirements vary enough between insurers that it’s worth calling the number on your insurance card to ask exactly what documentation they need before your provider submits the authorization.
Availability Outside the U.S.
The Dexcom G7 is available in multiple countries beyond the United States, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Hong Kong, with ongoing expansion into additional markets. Coverage and access pathways differ by country. In the UK, for example, the G7 is available through the National Health Service for eligible patients. If you’re outside the U.S., check with your local diabetes care team or Dexcom’s regional website for current availability and reimbursement options in your area.