Great-West Life Enhances Coverage for Members With Diabetes

As of August 1, 2018, Canadian insurer Great-West Life plan members who use insulin to manage their diabetes may be eligible for coverage of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, sensors and transmitters that provides continuous readings all day, even while asleep.

The CGM system includes a reader, wearable sensors and a transmitter which are used to measure interstitial fluid glucose levels. Results automatically go to a smart device or reader every five minutes. This means continuous monitoring all day and night. Users can avoid glucose highs and lows, and are alerted right away when levels stray out of the norm.

For plan members to be eligible for coverage, their plan must cover continuous glucose monitors and related transmitters and sensors, and they must use insulin to manage their blood sugar/glucose levels.

This new coverage is being added alongside the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor (FGM) and sensors, which were added to most Great-West Life plans on April 1, 2018. The FreeStyle Libre system – the first of its kind – includes a reader and wearable sensors which are used to measure glucose levels and provide results on demand. The FreeStyle Libre is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older, who have at least 2 years of experience in self-managing their diabetes.

“As technologies continue to advance patient care, we’re pleased to make coverage for these devices more accessible to help Canadians improve their financial, physical, and mental well-being” – Senior Vice-President, Group Customer Experience and Marketing, Great-West Life, Brad Fedorchuk.