Advancements in over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring devices are expanding access for people with diabetes and prediabetes, while recent research highlights their benefits beyond insulin users, prompting a shift in diabetes care and management.
Continuous glucose monitoring is increasingly being treated as the modern standard for tracking blood sugar, offering people with diabetes a constant stream of data rather than isolated readings. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says these wearable devices can help users and clinicians spot patterns, adjust treatment and make faster decisions, while the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that they can also reduce the need for repeated finger-prick tests.
The appeal of the technology goes beyond convenience. By measuring glucose in interstitial fluid every few minutes and sending the information to a receiver or smartphone app, CGM gives a fuller picture of how food, exercise, sleep and medication affect blood sugar across the day and night. Harvard Health Publishing says that deeper visibility can support more personalised care, while device maker Dexcom says it can help people make better informed treatment choices.
The clinical case has strengthened as research has expanded beyond insulin users. Tenovi’s review highlights the CONNECT trial, presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions, which reported that adults with type 2 diabetes who did not use insulin saw larger improvements in haemoglobin A1c and spent more time in range when using CGM than with routine care. The report also cites a 2025 systematic review and another randomised trial suggesting that CGM can improve blood sugar control even in people managing type 2 diabetes without insulin.
Older adults appear to benefit as well, particularly when support is delivered remotely. A study published in Diabetes found that senior participants were able to start and continue CGM successfully with remote education, and most said they planned to keep using it. The same report noted practical barriers, including app use, alarm fatigue and worries about Medicare coverage, which suggests that ease of use remains as important as clinical performance.
Access is also broadening. The Food and Drug Administration cleared Dexcom’s Stelo in March 2024 as the first over-the-counter CGM for adults who do not use insulin, and Abbott’s Lingo followed for general wellness use. Tenovi says this opens the door to more people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, although wellness-only devices are not intended to manage diabetes.
Coverage rules still matter. Medicare says CGM can be covered under Part B as durable medical equipment if eligibility requirements are met, with beneficiaries generally responsible for 20% of the approved amount after the deductible. The agency also requires that providers and suppliers be enrolled in Medicare and accept assignment, while the CDC and NIDDK both stress that people should work with a clinician to interpret readings correctly and use the device safely.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
