Use of Real-Time CGM Is Associated with Fewer Hospitalizations Compared with SMBG in the Insulin-Treated Medicare Population

This Medfyle was published more than two years ago. More recent Medfyle on this topic may now be available.

Key messages

• This study used data from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to assess the clinical impact of using real-time CGM (Dexcom G5) by comparing a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries who acquired a CGM device from July 2017 thru January 2018 (n=841) with a cohort of beneficiaries (n=224,484) who continued SMBG during the same period. 
• SMBG was associated with 35% more hospitalizations than CGM (35.5% vs. 26.2%) and 52% more inpatient visits (0.70 vs. 0.46) over 6 months (both p <0.0001). 
• Wider use of CGM among CMS beneficiaries with diabetes could significantly reduce these costs through reduced hospitalizations and inpatient visits