Medicare Part B covers FreeStyle Libre glucose monitors for people with diabetes who meet specific medical requirements, but not everyone qualifies.

Medicare Part B will pay for the FreeStyle Libre system — the reader and the sensor — if your doctor writes an order stating you have diabetes and meet one of two conditions: you take insulin, or you have had a severe hypoglycemic episode (dangerously low blood sugar) in the past year. The coverage applies to the sensor itself, which you wear on your arm and replace every 14 days, and the reader device that scans it.

If you do not take insulin and have not had a severe low-blood-sugar event, Medicare Part B does not cover FreeStyle Libre, even if your doctor thinks it would help you. You would need to pay out of pocket or check whether your supplemental insurance or state Medicaid program covers it instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers FreeStyle Libre only if you take insulin or have had a severe hypoglycemic episode in the past 12 months, and your doctor submits an order.
  • You will pay 20 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible; the exact cost depends on your supplier and Medicare's allowed amount.
  • You must order the system through a Medicare-approved supplier, not directly from the manufacturer, for Medicare to pay.
  • Your doctor must document the medical reason (insulin use or recent severe low blood sugar) in your chart before the supplier can submit the claim.
  • If you do not meet the insulin or hypoglycemia requirement, you can ask your doctor to request a coverage exception, though Medicare rarely grants them.

Who Qualifies for Medicare Part B Coverage

You meet Medicare's coverage rule if you take insulin to manage your diabetes, regardless of how much or how often. This includes people on insulin pumps, multiple daily injections, or even a single daily dose. The insulin requirement is the most straightforward path to coverage.

The second path is if you have had a severe hypoglycemic episode — a documented event where your blood sugar dropped dangerously low — within the 12 months before your doctor writes the order. "Documented" means it appears in your medical record, usually from a hospital visit, emergency room visit, or a note from your doctor's office. A low blood sugar reading at home that you treated yourself does not count unless your doctor recorded it as a severe event.

If you have type 2 diabetes and do not take insulin and have not had a severe low-blood-sugar event, you do not meet Medicare's coverage criteria. Some people in this situation ask their doctor to request a coverage exception from Medicare, but these are rarely granted. Your doctor would need to submit detailed medical records explaining why the FreeStyle Libre is medically necessary despite not meeting the standard rules.

How to Get Your Doctor's Order

Start by calling your doctor's office and asking whether they will write an order for FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring. Tell them you have Medicare Part B. The doctor needs to confirm in writing that you meet one of the two coverage requirements — that you take insulin or have had a severe hypoglycemic episode in the past year.

The order does not go to Medicare directly. Instead, your doctor sends it to a Medicare-approved supplier, which is the company that will ship the system to you. Medicare does not pay if you order FreeStyle Libre directly from Abbott (the manufacturer) or from a non-approved supplier.

If your doctor is unsure whether you meet the criteria, ask them to review your chart for any documented severe low-blood-sugar events. If you have had one, make sure it is in your medical record. If it is not, ask your doctor to add a note about it before writing the order.

Finding a Medicare-Approved Supplier

You need to order through a company that Medicare has enrolled as a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier. The major suppliers that carry FreeStyle Libre include Byram Healthcare, Edgepark, Amedisys, and others, but availability varies by region and changes over time.

To find suppliers in your area, visit the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov and search for "continuous glucose monitoring" or "FreeStyle Libre." You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a list of approved suppliers near you. When you call a supplier, confirm that they accept Medicare Part B and that they have FreeStyle Libre in stock.

Once you have chosen a supplier, give them your doctor's order. They will verify your Medicare coverage, check your deductible status, and tell you what you owe out of pocket. They will also submit the claim to Medicare on your behalf.

What You Pay Out of Pocket

After you meet your Part B deductible for the year, you pay 20 percent of Medicare's approved amount for the FreeStyle Libre system. The exact dollar amount varies because it depends on what the supplier charges and what Medicare has set as the approved amount in your region.

For example, if Medicare's approved amount is $100 for a sensor and you have already met your deductible, you would pay $20 and Medicare pays $80. If you have not met your deductible yet, you pay the full approved amount until the deductible is satisfied, then 20 percent after that.

You will need to pay for sensors every 14 days, so your ongoing costs add up. Some people with supplemental insurance (Medigap) or Medicaid have additional coverage that reduces their 20 percent share. Check your supplemental plan's coverage details or contact your state Medicaid program to see whether they help with glucose monitor costs.

What Happens If You Do Not Meet the Coverage Rules

If you do not take insulin and have not had a severe hypoglycemic episode, Medicare Part B will not cover FreeStyle Libre under the standard rules. You have a few options: pay out of pocket, check whether your supplemental insurance covers it, or ask your doctor to request a coverage exception.

A coverage exception (called an "appeal" or "reconsideration") requires your doctor to submit detailed medical records and a letter explaining why you need FreeStyle Libre despite not meeting the standard criteria. Medicare reviews these requests but grants them infrequently. If your doctor believes it is worth trying, ask them to submit the request. The process can take several weeks.

Some state Medicaid programs cover FreeStyle Libre for people who do not meet Medicare's insulin requirement. If you are also on Medicaid, contact your state program to ask about their coverage rules. You can also check whether your employer or retiree health plan covers continuous glucose monitoring.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not order FreeStyle Libre directly from Abbott or from a pharmacy without confirming that Medicare will pay. Medicare only covers purchases through an approved DME supplier. If you order from the wrong source, Medicare will not reimburse you, and you will have paid full price out of pocket.

Do not assume your doctor's office has submitted the order to a supplier. Ask them which supplier they are sending it to and confirm that the supplier has received it. Follow up with the supplier yourself to make sure the claim is being processed.

Do not wait until you run out of sensors to reorder. Sensors need to be ordered in advance, and the supplier needs time to process and ship them. Plan ahead so you do not have a gap in coverage.

Do not forget to ask your doctor about the severe hypoglycemia requirement if you are not on insulin. If you have had a low-blood-sugar event in the past year, make sure it is documented in your medical record before your doctor writes the order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my doctor says I do not meet the requirements but I want to try FreeStyle Libre anyway?

You can pay out of pocket, or you can ask your doctor to submit a coverage exception request to Medicare. Your doctor would need to explain in writing why you need the system despite not taking insulin or having a recent severe low-blood-sugar event. Medicare rarely grants these requests, but it is worth asking if your doctor believes it is medically necessary.

Does Medicare Part D cover FreeStyle Libre?

No. Part D covers prescription drugs, not medical devices. FreeStyle Libre is covered under Part B as Durable Medical Equipment. If you have questions about your specific Part D plan, call the plan directly.

Can I use my FSA or HSA to pay for FreeStyle Libre?

Yes, if you have a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, you can use those funds to pay your out-of-pocket costs for FreeStyle Libre, including the 20 percent coinsurance after your deductible. Keep your receipts from the supplier for your records.

What if I switch suppliers — will Medicare cover the new order?

Yes, as long as the new supplier is Medicare-approved and your doctor writes a new order. Medicare will cover the sensors from the new supplier under the same 20 percent coinsurance rule. Make sure the new supplier submits the order to Medicare before you stop using your old system.

Does Medicare cover the FreeStyle Libre reader if I already have a smartphone?

Yes. Even if you use the FreeStyle Libre app on your phone to scan the sensor, Medicare still covers the reader device itself. You can use both the reader and the app, or just the app if you prefer. Medicare's coverage includes the reader as part of the system.