Sensor failures happen. Having no replacement increases the risk of overnight lows or highs.

What’s happening

 Most insurance plans restrict quantity. Discount routes help create a buffer. Sally shared in a recent post:

“I had no more, and insurance wouldn’t cover it yet.”
— Sally Figueroa

What you can do

• Compare discount options for backup sensors
• Store one in your travel or emergency kit
• Request medical-necessity documentation from provider

What to avoid

• Waiting until you’re unmonitored
• Assuming refills come early
  

How to move forward

Backups aren’t a luxury—they’re a safety strategy.

Our Pay It Forward Approach

Every small act of sharing creates a ripple. If this piece resonated with you, consider sending it to someone who might need the same hope today—or leave us a comment in the section below with your own saving story so thousands can benefit from it. No one should have to navigate the cost of illness alone.

Verification Note

Checked and verified active December, 2025.
All sources are government, nonprofit, peer-reviewed, or FDA-regulated primary sources relevant to CGM safety, replacement limitations, and patient protection.

CGM safety and risk when sensors are unavailable

American Diabetes Association (ADA) — Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): Clinical Safety Overview
Confirms CGMs reduce severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia events and emphasizes continuous access as a safety requirement.
https://diabetes.org/diabetes/technology/continuous-glucose-monitors-cgms

National Institutes of Health (NIH) / PubMed Central — CGM Use and Reduction of Acute Glycemic Events
Peer-reviewed evidence showing that interruptions in CGM access increase risk of unrecognized glucose excursions.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8397018/

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology — Impact of CGM Data Gaps on Patient Safety
Demonstrates that gaps in CGM monitoring are associated with delayed treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1932296819891304

Insurance quantity limits and replacement barriers

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Continuous Glucose Monitor Coverage & Supply Limits
Federal documentation outlining quantity limits, refill timing, and replacement policies for CGM supplies under Medicare and many commercial plans.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?LCDId=33822

Patient Advocate Foundation — Diabetes Technology Access and Replacement Appeals
Nonprofit guidance on navigating early replacement denials, medical-necessity letters, and emergency coverage gaps.
https://www.patientadvocate.org/explore-our-resources/chronic-illness/diabetes/

Manufacturer replacement and backup strategies

Dexcom — Sensor Replacement Policy and Product Support
Official manufacturer guidance on sensor failures, early detachment, and replacement eligibility.
https://www.dexcom.com/support/sensor-replacement-policy

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — Medical Device Malfunction Reporting (CGMs)
Federal reporting and safety framework recognizing sensor failure as a known device risk category.
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-safety

Emergency prevention and cost avoidance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Severe Hypoglycemia: Prevention and Risks
Confirms that delayed detection of glucose extremes increases emergency department utilization and hospitalization risk.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/low-blood-sugar.html

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) — Preventing Avoidable Diabetes Emergencies
Government research linking continuous monitoring and proactive planning to reduced emergency costs.
https://www.ahrq.gov/prevention/quality-diabetes-care.html