What a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, costs without insurance
What a CGM is and who it is for
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that a continuous glucose monitor estimates your blood sugar for you around the clock. A tiny sensor sits under the skin, usually on the belly or the arm. It reads the sugar in the fluid between your cells every few minutes. A wireless transmitter sends the readings to a phone app, an insulin pump or a small handheld screen called a receiver. Sensors have to be replaced from time to time.
The same institute says doctors may recommend a CGM to people who need insulin for any kind of diabetes. It adds that a CGM has a higher price than a standard glucose meter, and that health insurance may help pay for it. Your doctor decides whether a CGM makes sense for you, and this page cannot tell you that.
Over-the-counter sensors with a posted price
In March 2024 the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, cleared the first CGM that people can buy without a prescription. The FDA says it is for anyone 18 or older who does not use insulin. That can include people with diabetes who take pills, and people without diabetes who want to see how food and exercise change their sugar. The FDA also says it is not for people with problematic low blood sugar. It is not built to warn you about a dangerous low.
The maker of that device posts its prices on its own website, and we checked them in October 2026. This over-the-counter sensor is made by the same company as one of the most popular prescription CGMs, but it is a different product with different rules.
- A one-time purchase of a one-month supply, which is two sensors, costs $99 with free shipping.
- A one-month subscription costs $89 for each month.
- A three-month subscription costs $252 for six sensors, which works out to $84 a month.
- Each sensor lasts up to 15 days, and the maker says about 20 percent of sensors may not last the full 15 days.
The maker says this device is not for people who use insulin, who are on dialysis or who have problematic low blood sugar. A second company also received FDA clearance for over-the-counter sensors in June 2024, so compare both makers before you subscribe. Please talk with a doctor before you use any CGM to make health choices.
Prescription CGMs do not post a cash price
A CGM bill is made up of two main parts. The sensors are the cost that comes back every month, because they wear out and must be replaced. A receiver is the other part, and it is a one-time purchase if you do not want to use your phone as the screen. Medicare prices these two parts separately, and the price you are quoted may do the same, so ask about both.
Most CGMs that doctors prescribe are sold through pharmacies and supply companies. The maker of one popular prescription CGM does not list a retail cash price on its website. Its savings page says a coupon takes $210 or more off the cash price of a 30-day supply of sensors. It also says the coupon takes more than $200 off a receiver. The coupon needs a prescription, and you cannot use it with insurance. The page adds that the program can cut the usual monthly cash price by more than half.
Because the maker does not give a starting number, we will not guess at one. Please call two or three pharmacies and ask for the cash price of a 30-day supply of sensors. Ask for the receiver price too, and ask how much the coupon takes off. You can find a phone script in our guide on asking for the cash price.
That same maker also says it gives discounts to eligible U.S. residents who meet income rules. Ask your doctor's office or the maker's customer line how to apply.
What Medicare pays, as a yardstick
Medicare is the federal insurance program for people 65 and older and for some younger people who have disabilities. Medicare.gov says it may cover a CGM if you have diabetes. You also need to take insulin or have a history of problems with low blood sugar. You need training in how to use it, and a provider has to order it after an exam. After you meet the yearly Part B deductible, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services posts the approved amounts. Its October 2026 supply fee schedule lists $273.28 a month for the sensor and supply allowance for most CGMs. It lists $301.27 to buy a receiver. These amounts are not cash prices, and they only show what the federal government treats as fair.
Other ways to spend less
A community health center charges on a sliding scale based on your income and family size, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. Its health centers also serve people who cannot pay. A center can help you with the visit that leads to a prescription, and it may know about local programs. To find one, read our guide on community health centers.
Another choice is a cash-pay doctor with a monthly membership, who can also write prescriptions, review your readings and help you plan. A membership like this is called direct primary care and usually costs $50 to $200 a month. Our directory can help you look for a cash-pay doctor close to you. Our health center finder lists more places to start.
If you take insulin, our guide on insulin costs covers that part of the bill. Our overview of diabetes medicine costs links to the rest.
Please do not drop your testing plan because of the price
If cost is a problem, tell your doctor before you run out of sensors. Ask what your options are, including whether a standard meter and test strips would work for you. Do not stretch out sensors, skip checks or stop treatment on your own.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists signs of severe low blood sugar. They include feeling weak, trouble walking or seeing clearly, acting confused, and seizures. A level under 54 can make you faint. If you or someone with you has these signs, or in any emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. This page is general information and should not be used as medical advice.
Common questions
How much is a continuous glucose monitor without insurance?
The one over-the-counter maker we checked listed $99 for a one-month supply, or $89 a month on a subscription, in October 2026. That product is only for adults who do not use insulin. Prescription CGMs do not post a cash price, so call pharmacies and ask.
Do I need a prescription for a CGM?
Most CGMs need a prescription from a clinician. In March 2024 the FDA cleared the first one sold over the counter. It is for adults 18 and older who do not use insulin.
Does Medicare pay for a CGM?
Medicare may cover one if you have diabetes and you take insulin or have a history of low blood sugar. You also need training and an order from your provider. After the Part B deductible, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount.
Can I get a CGM discount straight from the maker?
The maker of one prescription CGM offers a pharmacy coupon for people who pay cash. It also says it gives discounts to eligible U.S. residents who meet income rules. Ask the maker how to apply, and ask your doctor's office to help with forms.
Do I still need finger sticks with a CGM?
Yes, some devices need finger sticks at times. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says some models need a finger stick to set them up. You may also need one to check a reading you doubt, so ask your care team what applies to your device.
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This guide is general information, not medical, legal or tax advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.