Continuous Glucose Monitors now easier to access for less

As of April 1, 2019, customers managing diabetes will see expanded coverage options for therapeutic Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) sensors. This includes Dexcom G6^® and Abbott FreeStyle Libre, the only therapeutic CGMs currently on the market. These CGMs are available with a prescription at in-network pharmacies.¹

Coverage will continue under the medical benefit, but will expand to the pharmacy benefit as well. This means easier access to coverage for CGM sensor products. Although we will encourage customers and providers to fill CGM sensors under the pharmacy benefit with a prescription, we will continue to cover CGM sensors under the medical benefit for all clients/customers, whether or not they have integrated medical and pharmacy benefits.

Most clients and customers will experience improved savings when filling therapeutic CGMs under the pharmacy benefit instead of the medical benefit. In addition, through a program sponsored by the manufacturer of these CGMs, the transmitters and readers/receivers are offered at no additional cost at the pharmacy.²

For clients, the addition of coverage on the formulary for CGM sensors may help reduce overall health care spending on CGMs when medical and pharmacy spending is considered overall. Customer and client savings will vary by plan design and the specific CGM product.

Specific criteria determines if a CGM is appropriate for a customer

CGMs are not for everyone managing diabetes. Glucometers and finger sticks are still the most cost effective way to monitor glucose for those managing diabetes. A patient with type 2 diabetes, managed with oral medications, is not a likely CGM candidate. A patient who requires high dose insulin (Basal/long acting + rapid acting/mealtime insulin or an insulin pump) is a more appropriate candidate for a CGM. Prior authorization and quantity limits apply.

For customers with more challenging diabetes, therapeutic CGMs may be an appropriate mechanism for testing and managing blood sugar.³

Engagement-driven cost savings

Increased engagement in managing health conditions also helps generate medical cost savings for clients who connect their benefits with Cigna.

How therapeutic CGMs can improve care:

• Convenient
  • Checking glucose is faster than with a blood glucose meter.
  • The CGMs are filled immediately at the pharmacy (also can be filled at Cigna Home Delivery Pharmacy) just like traditional test strips.
• Easy and actionable
  • CGMs continuously monitor glucose levels, allowing a person to take action quicker.
  • Finger sticks are capable of generating a single glucose level reading. CGM systems are inserted once over a 10- to 14-day period and gather actionable data, day and night, without disruption to daily activities or sleep.
  • The reader/receiver is preprogrammed with the individual’s glucose goals, tracks trends, and some can alert of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. A reader/receiver does not require calibration for accuracy.

Cigna Pharmacy Management^® will inform customers currently using a CGM (and their providers) of the expanded coverage now available under the pharmacy benefit.

1. For some customers, their plan may allow them to use an out-of-network pharmacy and still receive coverage at the out-of-network level.
2. Through manufacturer e-voucher after obtaining the sensor under the pharmacy benefit. Cigna, while administering coverage for products described herein, is not responsible for the operation of the manufacturers’ programs. Such programs are subject to change.
3. Survey by Diabetes in Control Data: (Piper Jaffray diabetes survey (n=339) from Feb 13-26, 2018 consisting of patients, physicians, nurses and CDEs).