The provincial government has expanded BC Pharmacare’s coverage to make the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) easier for people with diabetes in British Columbia.
CGMs automatically track glucose levels in real time.
Without CGM, monitoring diabetic blood sugar requires a finger prick to draw blood, which is then applied to a strip for a machine to calculate the numbers.
“You need to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels (because) if it gets too high for too long, you can develop both acute and long-term complications,” said Comox Valley mother Lisa Christensen, whose daughter Lisa was diagnosed with Type -1 diabetes in 2017. “If it gets too low, there is a risk of unconsciousness or if you don’t get help it can lead to death.”
In CGMs, a small sensor is attached to the skin on a patient’s abdomen or upper buttocks, eliminating the need to prick a finger.
Lisa has been campaigning for expanded Pharmacare coverage last year since Lillithe was featured on the Dexcom G6 about 18 months ago. The Christensens received a grant from a charity to raise funds for the monitor.
“This is an amazing device that saves life and health,” Lisa said in a previous interview with Black Press. “The accuracy of the G6 was pretty much right for us, you can dose insulin without the need for painful fingertips. Thanks to the transmission capability of the device, both my husband and I can call up the blood sugar on our phones at any time. “
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The Christensens and many other BC families and stakeholders have put pressure on the government to expand Pharmasave coverage to Dexcom G6.
On Friday morning (June 11), Lisa participated in the announcement through Zoom.
“Our family was very lucky because a charity funded us (Dexcom), but getting this coverage for everyone has always been very important to me as not everyone has access to (charity funds),” she said. “Everyone will now have access to an indispensable management tool. You will be able to see their numbers in real time to help you make better, more informed decisions. This technology pretty much prevents dangerous lows from occurring because you can see them coming before it becomes a problem. Families can sleep well at night knowing the Dexcom is on their guard and an alert is sent to their phone when something goes out of range. “
The Dexcom G6 sensor lasts 10 days before it needs to be replaced and the Dexcom G6 transmitter can be used for 90 days.
The government estimates that about 20,000 families will benefit from the announcement in the first three years.
According to a statement released by the Department of Health, the Dexcom G6 CGM will be a limited-coverage benefit, meaning people with diabetes who meet the specific agency criteria for CGMs will be insured. For patients who receive a special permit, those enrolled with Fair PharmaCare and those with PharmaCare insurance through Plan C (income support), Plan F (children in the home program) or Plan W (First Nations health benefits) are covered ).
A special agency provides coverage for a drug, medical product, or device that would otherwise not be eligible for full coverage. British Columbians are encouraged to register for the Fair PharmaCare Income Based Drug Coverage Plan.
Click here for more details.
You can find out more from your family doctor.
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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