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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only. CGM devices are not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making health decisions.

Our methodology

Insurance pricing varies significantly by plan — always contact your insurer for specific cost information.

CGM prices at a glance — all tiers 2026

Device / PlatformMonthly costPrescriptionInsurance coverage
Abbott LingoCheck priceNo — OTCUnlikely
Dexcom SteloCheck priceNo — OTCUnlikely
Nutrisense (annual)Check priceStelo is OTC; service terms separateCheck exact plan
Levels Health (annual)Check priceStelo OTC; G7 connection requires RxCheck exact plan
FreeStyle Libre 3Check priceYesOften covered
Dexcom G7Check priceYesOften covered
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Over-the-counter CGM pricing — no prescription needed

Stelo and Lingo are the two OTC devices covered here, not an exhaustive FDA clearance list. Compare their model-specific instructions, packs and current manufacturer plans.

Check priceon the manufacturer's site

Abbott Lingo — OTC CGM

14-day sensors, FreeStyle Libre platform, FDA submission reports an 8.1–10.7% MARD range (by glucose range). Lingo Count app system. Available without a prescription. Read full review →

Check priceon the manufacturer's site

Dexcom Stelo — OTC sensor and app

15-day sensors, Dexcom Clarity integration and data export. Check the manufacturer for current pricing and features. Read full review →

OTC vs prescription cost

What you pay for a prescription CGM depends on your insurance coverage, so compare your own out-of-pocket prices with OTC options in the cost calculator. If you have a qualifying diagnosis and insurance coverage, what you pay out of pocket for a prescription CGM depends on your plan; compare it with OTC options in the cost calculator.

Prescription CGM pricing — before and after insurance

Compare the exact prescription CGM’s supplier price and your plan’s approved coverage and cost sharing. Prescription status alone does not establish a higher or lower purchase cost.

Check priceon the manufacturer's site

FreeStyle Libre 3 — prescription option

Price set by Abbott and your pharmacy or plan. 14-day sensor, 7.8% MARD, real-time streaming. With insurance, out-of-pocket cost can be much lower depending on your plan. Read full review →

Check priceon the manufacturer's site

Dexcom G7 — check current manufacturer information

Price is set by Dexcom and your pharmacy or plan. Published MARD is study-specific and does not establish superior performance in low glucose. Check current prices and coverage with the manufacturer, pharmacy or insurer.

CGM subscription platform pricing — app + sensor bundles

CGM subscription platforms bundle sensors with proprietary apps and, in some cases, coaching. They bundle sensors with an app or coaching layer, so compare the membership price with buying sensors directly.

Check priceannual plan available

Levels Health — app membership

Levels currently supplies Dexcom Stelo. It also supports bringing a Dexcom G7 or G7 15 Day through a connected Dexcom account; those readings reach Levels with about a one-hour delay. Use the Dexcom app for real-time readings. Service eligibility and device labeling are separate. Read full review → · Compare vs Nutrisense →

Check priceannual plan available

Nutrisense — sensors + RD coaching

Nutrisense currently lists Dexcom Stelo among its products. Coaching plans provide access to registered dietitians. Check the selected plan for sensor quantity, coaching and service eligibility; the device’s FDA indication does not determine eligibility for the service. Read full review →

See exact costs for your monitoring period

7 days, 30 days, 90 days, or a full year — with or without prescription.

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CGM cost with insurance — what to expect

Insurance coverage for CGMs depends entirely on your plan, your diagnosis, and whether the device is considered medically necessary. Here's how it typically breaks down:

Medicare coverage

Coverage depends on the exact device, plan, documentation and supplier. Medicare requires all applicable criteria, including diabetes, a prescription, training, FDA-consistent use, required visits and insulin treatment or documented problematic hypoglycemia. Ask your insurer and prescriber about your situation. With supplier assignment, Original Medicare cost sharing is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible; Medigap help depends on the policy.

Private insurance

Private insurance has its own device, indication, supplier and prior-authorization rules. Diagnosis or insulin use alone does not guarantee payment.

OTC devices and insurance

Ask your insurer whether your plan covers the specific OTC device before buying it; over-the-counter availability does not establish coverage. Some HSA/FSA accounts may cover them — check with your plan administrator.

Key rule of thumb

Compare the actual approved benefit and cost sharing with the OTC price before buying. A diagnosis and prescription alone do not guarantee coverage or a lower bill.

What does a full year of CGM monitoring cost?

Annual cost depends on the manufacturer's current price, the sensor wear time and whether insurance applies. To estimate it: take the current monthly (or per-sensor) price from the manufacturer's site, multiply by the months you plan to monitor, and subtract any coverage. Prescription CGMs covered by insurance can cost far less than the same device bought at retail. Open the cost calculator →

Ways to use a CGM — by situation

No prescription, no insurance

Abbott Lingo is an over-the-counter CGM that needs no prescription — check Abbott for the current price. Built on the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor (FDA K233655), simplified app, no Rx required.

Have a prescription, have insurance

Check whether your plan covers the exact prescribed Libre model and compare the approved cost sharing. No brand is guaranteed to be the cheapest covered option.

Want coaching alongside data

The CGM Program lists monthly Stelo glucose biosensors, 1:1 video-call coaching with registered dietitians or certified nutrition specialists (insurance-covered for most eligible members, self-pay options available), the Nutrisense app and a private community; an app-only membership exists for people with their own sensor. Check the provider for current plan inclusions and pricing.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a CGM cost per month in 2026?
CGM costs vary by device, plan and insurance. Over-the-counter options (Abbott Lingo, Dexcom Stelo) are paid out of pocket at the manufacturer's current price; prescription devices (Dexcom G7, FreeStyle Libre 3) are priced by pharmacy and plan, and what you pay when covered by insurance depends on your plan. Check each manufacturer for current pricing.
Which CGMs are available without a prescription?
Abbott Lingo is one of the CGMs available without a prescription in 2026 — check Abbott for the current price. It uses FreeStyle Libre sensor technology, requires no doctor visit, and is available at major retailers.
Does insurance cover CGM devices?
Coverage depends on the exact device, plan, documentation and supplier. Medicare requires all applicable criteria, including diabetes, a prescription, training, FDA-consistent use, required visits and insulin treatment or documented problematic hypoglycemia. Ask your insurer and prescriber about your situation.
Is there a CGM that doesn't cost anything with insurance?
Coverage depends on the exact device, plan, documentation and supplier. Medicare requires all applicable criteria, including diabetes, a prescription, training, FDA-consistent use, required visits and insulin treatment or documented problematic hypoglycemia. Ask your insurer and prescriber about your situation. No brand-specific claim of broadest coverage or zero cost is established here.
How much does a CGM cost for one month of trial use?
For a single month with no subscription commitment, Abbott Lingo and Dexcom Stelo are both available as single purchases without long-term commitment — check each manufacturer for the current price. Check Levels and Nutrisense for current purchase and cancellation terms; this page does not confirm trial availability.
How do I compare CGM costs for long-term use?
For long-term continuous monitoring without insurance, compare the manufacturers' current prices over your full monitoring period — the cost calculator helps. With insurance coverage, a prescription CGM can change the long-term cost considerably.

Device & subscription pricing pages

Detailed pricing breakdowns for every major CGM device and subscription platform:

Pricing guide
Dexcom Cost Without Insurance 2026
Pricing guide
FreeStyle Libre Cost 2026
Pricing guide
Signos Cost 2026
Status
Veri (sunset announced): status and sources
Review
January AI CGM Review
Full comparison
CGM Subscription Comparison 2026