Continuous Glucose Monitoring on the Rise Among Medicare Advantage Members with Type 2 Diabetes

Key Terms

continuous glucose monitors medical

A continuous glucose monitor is a small wearable device with a sensor placed just under the skin that measures blood-sugar levels around the clock and sends those readings to a display or smartphone — like a fitness tracker for glucose. Investors care because adoption and repeat purchases of sensors and supplies create steady revenue, while clinical usefulness, pricing, insurance coverage and regulatory approval determine how fast and widely the devices sell.

CGMs medical

Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) are wearable medical devices that track a person’s blood sugar levels continuously throughout the day and night, sending real-time readings to a display or smartphone. Investors care because CGMS can drive steady recurring revenue from sensors and subscriptions, signal adoption trends and regulatory milestones that affect a company’s growth prospects, and often serve as a high-margin, technology-led product line in the healthcare market—like a fitness tracker for blood sugar with business implications.

type 2 diabetes medical

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body struggles to control blood sugar levels because it becomes less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate sugar in the blood. It matters to investors because it can lead to increased healthcare costs, affect workforce productivity, and influence the performance of companies in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Managing or preventing the condition has significant implications for public health and economic stability.

Medicare Advantage regulatory

Medicare Advantage is a type of health insurance plan offered by private companies that covers services traditionally provided by government-run Medicare. Think of it as a bundled package that combines hospital, doctor, and other medical care into one plan, often with added benefits. For investors, it matters because the popularity and profitability of these plans can influence healthcare companies and the broader health insurance industry.

endocrinology medical

Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that studies hormones, which are chemicals produced by glands in the body that regulate important functions like growth, energy, and mood. Understanding how hormones work can reveal insights into health conditions and overall well-being. For investors, it highlights areas of medical research and pharmaceutical development that may influence healthcare trends and market opportunities.

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Study by Humana Healthcare Research and Yale School of Medicine researcher reveals significant increase in CGM usage, particularly among older adults with chronic health conditions.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A new study published in the current issue of the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP)—conducted by a Humana Healthcare Research team and Dr. Joseph S. Ross of the Yale School of Medicine—reveals a notable increase in the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) among Medicare Advantage members with type 2 diabetes from 2021 to 2023.

The study also compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of members with type 2 diabetes who used CGMs with those who did not in 2023, finding that the CGM users often had more complex health problems than those who did not.

CGMs represent a major advancement over traditional fingerstick glucose monitoring methods, providing real-time, continuous blood glucose data that supports more effective management of dangerous highs and lows and reduces the burden of daily monitoring. Yet, clinicians still have incomplete information about which patients use these devices and what barriers may exist for those not currently using them.

As one of the first studies to examine CGM use in this population, it underscores the need for further research to understand clinical outcomes and to identify which patients benefit most as access expands.

Additional key findings include:

• The proportion of Medicare Advantage members with type 2 diabetes who use insulin and continuous glucose monitors increased from fewer than 2 in 100 in January 2021 to about 1 in 6 by December 2023.
• The growth in adoption of CGMs was concurrent with the expansion of Medicare coverage for the devices in 2023.
• In the 2023 study group, patients who had an endocrinology visit during the year were more than four times as likely to use a CGM device.
• The analysis found that patients with fewer interactions with the health care system, as well as those in the oldest age group, were less likely to use CGMs.

“This research is significant because, until now, there has been limited information about the use of continuous glucose monitors among Medicare Advantage members—a population in which diabetes and the management of multiple health conditions are common,” said Dr. Mark Mugavin, Medical Director at Humana. “These insights help us identify which patients may benefit most from CGMs, including those who do not visit the doctor frequently, and guide our strategies for reaching and supporting those who need them most. Ultimately, this work enables us to improve health outcomes by ensuring that more members receive timely and effective diabetes management tools.”

“CGMs are an important new technology to assist patients in managing their diabetes,” said Dr. Ross. “Characterizing trends in uptake and use helps us better understand the impact of Medicare coverage decisions on new technology adoption and allows us to identify which patient populations may not be achieving the same access to this new technology as others.”

In 2026, most individuals with a Humana Medicare Advantage plan can obtain a CGM at no out-of-pocket cost, as these devices will be fully covered by their plan.

You can access the full study on the JMCP website found here.

About Humana Healthcare Research

Humana Healthcare Research is a team of expert researchers dedicated to transforming healthcare through impactful, data-driven insights. As a subsidiary of Humana, Humana Healthcare Research collaborates with leading academic and industry partners to advance and shape innovation in care delivery and health policy for better outcomes.

About Humana

Humana (NYSE:HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260312636561/en/

Media Contact
Lisa Dimond
Humana Corporate Communications
832-330-4702
ldimond@humana.com

Source: Humana Inc.