Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology has become an important tool in diabetes management, providing patients with real-time information about their blood glucose levels throughout the day and night. Therefore I am planning to introduce a new bill that would expand insurance coverage for CGM devices to people with diabetes at earlier stages of the disease when prescribed by a physician. I had fought very hard for a similar bill (HB648) in the House commerce committee, as well as during the House session in 2025-2026, however, it fell short in gaining House majority due to some concerns that I plan to address in the new proposed bill.
CGM devices use a small sensor placed just beneath the skin to continuously monitor glucose levels. The information can be transmitted in real time to a smartphone app or compatible receiver, allowing patients to see their glucose levels and trends throughout the day.
Unlike traditional finger-stick testing, which provides a single measurement at a particular moment, CGM provides continuous information that can give patients and healthcare providers a more complete picture of glucose patterns. Many CGM sensors can be worn for approximately 14 days, reducing the need for frequent finger-stick testing.
Earlier Information for Better Diabetes Management
Diabetes is a chronic disease that, when poorly controlled, can contribute to serious complications affecting multiple parts of the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels, eyes and feet. Significant fluctuations in blood glucose, including both high and low levels, can also create immediate health concerns.
One of the important features of CGM technology is its ability to provide alerts when glucose levels rise or fall beyond predetermined thresholds. These alerts can provide patients with information that may allow them to respond to abnormal glucose levels sooner.
Without continuous monitoring, a person may recognize that their blood glucose is too high or too low only after experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, headache or blurred vision, followed by a finger-stick test to confirm the glucose level. CGM can provide information in real time, potentially giving patients and their healthcare providers an opportunity to address concerning glucose patterns before they develop into more serious episodes.
Current Coverage Can Limit Earlier Access
Under current insurance policies, CGM coverage is often limited to patients whose diabetes treatment involves insulin therapy, subject to the requirements of their individual insurance plans. This means that many patients may not have access to continuous glucose monitoring until their disease has progressed to a stage requiring more intensive treatment.
The proposed bill would require a physician's prescription for CGM coverage and would allow the treating medical professional to determine whether CGM is appropriate for a patient at an earlier stage of diabetes.
A Potential Investment in Prevention
CGM devices can cost approximately $100 per month or less, depending on the device. Supporters believe that providing coverage earlier could represent a relatively small investment compared with the potentially significant costs associated with advanced diabetes treatment and complications.
Better monitoring may help patients and physicians make more informed decisions regarding diet, physical activity, medication and other aspects of diabetes management. Earlier identification of glucose patterns may also help patients address problems before they become more serious.
From an insurance perspective, expanded CGM coverage could potentially help reduce long-term healthcare expenses if earlier diabetes management contributes to fewer or less severe complications. The savings could potentially offset some of the costs associated with providing CGM coverage at earlier stages of the disease.
Putting Medical Decisions in the Hands of Patients and Physicians
The proposed bill is intended to expand access to a technology that can provide valuable, real-time information for diabetes management. Rather than waiting until a patient requires insulin therapy before CGM coverage becomes available, the bill would allow patients with a physician's prescription to access CGM at an earlier stage when their healthcare provider determines that continuous glucose monitoring is medically appropriate.
For patients, earlier access could mean more information, greater awareness of glucose patterns and additional opportunities to manage diabetes proactively. For healthcare providers, continuous glucose data can provide another tool to support treatment decisions. For insurers, earlier intervention may have the potential to reduce the costs associated with advanced diabetes and its complications.
The proposed bill seeks to make CGM access more closely aligned with physician-directed care, giving patients and their healthcare providers another tool to manage diabetes before it progresses to more serious and costly stages.
Manoj Chourasia - Nashua
Rep. Chourasia represents Hillsborough 11 (Nashua Ward 8) in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and is a member of the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. He is a candidate for reelection, seeking his second term on November 3rd.
