Older CGMs require long warm-up times. The NIH reports that continuous monitoring reduces severe events.

What’s happening

The Dexcom G7’s warm-up dropped from 2 hours to about 8 minutes—removing a risky window. Sally noticed instantly:

“From two hours to about eight minutes before I got my first reading.”
— Sally Figueroa

What you can do

• Upgrade if covered by insurance
• Compare pharmacy vs DME pricing
• Keep backup sensors to avoid downtime

What to avoid

• Being without readings for extended periods
• Assuming all CGMs warm up the same

How to move forward

Faster readings mean safer decision-making.

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Verification Note

Checked and verified active December, 2025.
All sources are peer-reviewed, government, nonprofit, or FDA-regulated primary sources directly supporting safety, clinical, and device-performance claims referenced in this article.

Continuous glucose monitoring and reduction of severe events

National Institutes of Health (NIH) / PubMed Central — Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Severe Hypoglycemia Outcomes
Peer-reviewed systematic review confirming that CGM use significantly reduces severe hypoglycemia events and improves safety for treated patients.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8397018/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Diabetes Technology and Monitoring
Federal guidance recognizing CGMs as key tools in preventing acute glucose emergencies.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/devices.html

Dexcom G7 warm-up time and device performance

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Approval Documentation
FDA device summary confirming Dexcom G7 performance characteristics, including shortened warm-up time compared with prior models.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/K221825.pdf

Dexcom — Dexcom G7 User Guide (Warm-Up and Startup Specifications)
Manufacturer documentation stating an approximately 8-minute warm-up period before first glucose readings are available.
https://www.dexcom.com/g7/how-it-works

Risk associated with CGM downtime and delayed readings

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology — CGM Interruption and Hypoglycemia Risk
Peer-reviewed analysis demonstrating that gaps in CGM data increase the risk of delayed response to glucose excursions.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1932296819891304

American Diabetes Association (ADA) — Diabetes Technology: CGMs
ADA guidance emphasizing continuous data availability as a core safety feature of CGM use.
https://diabetes.org/diabetes/technology/continuous-glucose-monitors-cgms

Insurance coverage pathways and access considerations

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Continuous Glucose Monitors Coverage Policy
Federal policy explaining CGM coverage under pharmacy and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) pathways.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?LCDId=33822

Patient Advocate Foundation — Accessing Diabetes Technology
Nonprofit guidance on navigating insurance coverage, replacements, and appeals for CGM systems.
https://www.patientadvocate.org/explore-our-resources/chronic-illness/diabetes/