Expansion of access to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Flash GM
By Dale Cooke APD
There’s been great excitement in the ranks of people living with type 1 diabetes and their health professionals since the National Diabetes Services Scheme announced access to subsidised continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and Flash GM products, although the process to access it has been only released on the 1 July 2022.
For those who are already receiving free CGM as they have type 1 diabetes, are under 21 years of age, are planning/are pregnant, or who have concessional status, there is no change. Access to products is still at no cost.
If your client does not have concessional status, is not planning pregnancy or is pregnant, or is over 21 years of age, the co-payment for accessing one month of product supply is $32.50.
Products must be ordered through the community pharmacy access point once they are registered.
How to register for access to subsidised CGM
There’s three pathways:
- If your client is registered with NDSS, has type 1 diabetes and been participating in the CGM initiative in the last six months (since 1 January 2022) they will be automatically re-activated for the CGM access expansion initiative on 4 July 2022.
- If your client is registered with NDSS, has type 1 diabetes and been an active user of CGM anytime from 1 January to 1 June 2022 which has been accessed directly from a product supplier than they can fill in this form: https://www.ndss.com.au/cgm-expansion-form/. It requires their personal details, NDSS number and their account number from their CGM supplier. The details will be validated with the supplier and they will receive automatic access to subsidised products for that device. Access to ordering products is from 11 July.
- If their information cannot be validated by the supplier, they haven’t purchased CGM products since 1 January to 1 June 2022, they wish to change the type of CGM device, or they are new to CGM then they need to see their health professional to discuss the most suitable product and complete a Continuous and Flash Glucose Monitoring Access Form which can be found here: https://www.ndss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/form-cgm-eligibility-access-type1.pdf.
Health professionals who can authorise the eligibility of access to CGM form include credentialled diabetes educators (CDE), endocrinologists/diabetologists, nurse practitioners, physicians, and paediatricians.
Products available
Products available under the scheme include:
- Dexcom G6
- Medtronic Guardian Connect
- Medtronic Guardian Link
- Medtronic Bluetooth Guardian Link
- FreeStyle Libre 2
It’s important to consider the compatibility of devices your client will use alongside the CGM such as which insulin pumps and mobile phones they have.
When things go wrong
If your client says a sensor is faulty refer them back to the manufacturer as otherwise they may exceed their annual limits.
To find out more about the eligibility expansion to subsidised CGM and Flash GM through the NDSS visit the NDSS website here