Walmart does not currently fill Freestyle CGM sensor orders through Medicare Part B, but you can get them through other pharmacies and suppliers that Medicare covers.

Medicare Part B covers continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, including Abbott's FreeStyle Libre sensors, when your doctor prescribes them and you meet medical necessity requirements. However, not every pharmacy or retailer can dispense them under Medicare. Walmart's pharmacy does not have the contracts or infrastructure in place to process CGM sensors as durable medical equipment (DME) through Medicare Part B, even though Walmart does fill many other Medicare prescriptions.

The sensors must come through a Medicare-approved DME supplier or a pharmacy that has enrolled as a Medicare provider for CGM devices. This is different from filling a regular prescription for pills or insulin — CGM sensors are classified as medical equipment, not medication, which changes where and how they can be obtained.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Part B covers FreeStyle Libre sensors when prescribed by your doctor and medically necessary, but only through approved DME suppliers and certain pharmacies, not through Walmart.
  • Your doctor must document that you have diabetes and meet specific criteria — usually insulin use or frequent low blood sugar episodes — before Medicare will cover the sensors.
  • You can order sensors through your current pharmacy if it is enrolled as a Medicare DME provider, or through a dedicated DME supplier your doctor recommends.
  • Your out-of-pocket cost is typically 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible, though some plans offer additional coverage.

How Medicare Part B covers CGM sensors

Medicare Part B pays for FreeStyle Libre sensors as durable medical equipment when a doctor prescribes them for diabetes management. The sensors themselves — the small patches you wear on your arm — are covered, along with the reader device needed to scan them. Medicare does not cover the lancets or test strips used with the system, as those fall under a different category.

Your doctor must write a prescription that includes a statement of medical necessity. Medicare requires documentation showing that you have diabetes and meet one of these conditions: you use insulin, you have a history of severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), or you have hypoglycemia unawareness (you do not feel when your blood sugar drops). The prescription goes directly to the supplier, not to a pharmacy counter.

Once Medicare approves the order, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for each sensor after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. Some supplemental insurance plans (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of that 20 percent, so check your plan documents.

Where you can actually order FreeStyle Libre sensors

Your best starting point is your current pharmacy. Call and ask whether they are enrolled as a Medicare DME provider for CGM devices. Many large chain pharmacies — CVS, Walgreens, and others — have enrolled and can process the order through Medicare. If your pharmacy is enrolled, you can use them, and your doctor can send the prescription there directly.

If your pharmacy is not enrolled, ask your doctor's office for a referral to a DME supplier. Common suppliers that handle CGM sensors include Byram Healthcare, Aeroflow Health, and Edgepark Medical Supplies. Your doctor's office often has a list of suppliers they work with regularly. You can also search the Medicare Supplier Directory at dmepos.cms.gov to find enrolled suppliers in your area — filter by "continuous glucose monitoring" to see who is currently accepting Medicare orders.

Abbott, the manufacturer of FreeStyle Libre, also has a patient support program that can help connect you with an enrolled supplier if you are having trouble finding one. You can call Abbott's customer service line or visit their website to ask for a referral in your state.

What your doctor needs to do

Your doctor must submit a prescription with a statement of medical necessity. This is not a standard pharmacy prescription — it is a DME order form that documents why you need the sensors. The form typically asks your doctor to confirm your diabetes type, your current treatment, and which of Medicare's criteria you meet (insulin use, severe lows, or hypoglycemia unawareness).

Some suppliers provide the form directly to your doctor's office; others ask you to request it and bring it to your appointment. Either way, your doctor does not need to do anything unusual — they are straightforward documenting what they already know about your diabetes management. If your doctor has prescribed CGM sensors before, they know the process.

Once the form is signed, you or the supplier can submit it to Medicare. The supplier usually handles this step, but confirm with them who is responsible. Approval typically takes one to two weeks, though it can be faster if everything is in order.

Your out-of-pocket costs

You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for each sensor after your Part B deductible is met. The Medicare-approved amount varies slightly by supplier and region, but FreeStyle Libre sensors typically have an approved amount in the range of $50 to $70 per sensor. That means your 20 percent share is usually $10 to $14 per sensor.

You need a new sensor every 14 days, so monthly costs are roughly $40 to $56 out of pocket, depending on your plan and whether your deductible has been met. If you have not met your Part B deductible yet (it is $226 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly), you may pay the full approved amount for your first sensor or two until the deductible is satisfied.

Check whether your supplemental insurance or Medicare Advantage plan covers any of the 20 percent coinsurance. Some plans do; others do not. Your plan documents or a call to your plan's customer service line will tell you what your actual cost will be.

What happens if Medicare denies your order

Medicare may deny coverage if your doctor's statement of medical necessity does not clearly show that you meet one of their criteria, or if your records do not support the diagnosis. If this happens, the supplier will send you a notice explaining the reason. You have the right to appeal.

The easiest first step is to ask your doctor to resubmit with more detail — for example, if the form did not clearly document your insulin use or your history of low blood sugar episodes. Many denials are reversed on resubmission. If the denial stands after resubmission, you can file a formal appeal through Medicare, but this process takes longer.

In the meantime, you can purchase sensors out of pocket from a pharmacy or directly from Abbott if you need them right away. Some people do this while an appeal is pending, though it is an added cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Walmart prescription discount card instead of Medicare for CGM sensors?

No. CGM sensors are classified as durable medical equipment, not medication, so prescription discount cards do not explore. You must use Medicare Part B or pay the full retail price out of pocket. Medicare typically costs less than retail, so it is worth pursuing even if the process takes longer.

What if I have a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage plans must cover CGM sensors at the same level as Original Medicare, but some plans may require you to use a specific supplier or pharmacy. Check your plan documents or call your plan's customer service line to find out which suppliers are in-network. Using an out-of-network supplier may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

Do I need a new prescription every time I order sensors?

No. Once your doctor writes the initial prescription with the statement of medical necessity, you can usually reorder sensors for up to one year without a new prescription. After one year, your doctor will need to renew it. Ask your supplier how long your prescription is valid so you know when to ask for a renewal.

Can I get sensors shipped to my home, or do I have to pick them up?

Most DME suppliers ship sensors directly to your home at no extra charge. This is one advantage of ordering through a DME supplier rather than a pharmacy — you do not have to make a trip. Confirm shipping details with your supplier when you place the order.

What if my doctor says I do not meet Medicare's criteria but I still need a CGM?

You can purchase sensors out of pocket from a pharmacy or directly from Abbott. Retail prices vary, but a single FreeStyle Libre sensor costs roughly $60 to $80 without insurance. Some people use a combination — Medicare coverage for routine sensors and out-of-pocket purchase during times when they need extra sensors or when Medicare coverage is delayed.