Better Health, Stronger Families: Improving Medicaid Coverage of Continuous Glucose Monitors in Alabama

Diabetes prevalence in Alabama is an ongoing threat, and Alabamians experience some of the highest rates of diabetes in the country. Unmanaged diabetes can have devastating health consequences, and costs the state of Alabama an estimated $5.9 billion annually in health care costs. Many diabetes management efforts focus on older populations, however, women of reproductive age and their children are at risk for diabetes, and 6% of women in Alabama have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy.

Managing diabetes while pregnant is critical to the health of both mom and baby, and monitoring blood glucose (sugar) levels can help to ensure good health throughout. An easy-to-use, efficient, and effective management device can help make this easier for anyone with diabetes: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). To ensure CGMs are accessible to everyone who needs them, Alabama Medicaid must cover CGMs as a pharmacy benefit for all adults and children with diabetes who are on insulin, and all pregnant women with diabetes, including those with gestational diabetes.