Getting a glucose monitor is straightforward, but the path depends on which type you need. A basic finger-stick meter can be picked up at any pharmacy without a prescription for under $30. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which tracks your levels around the clock through a small sensor worn on your skin, traditionally required a prescription, but the first over-the-counter CGM hit the market in August 2024. Here’s how to get each type and what to expect in terms of cost and coverage.
Two Types of Monitors, Two Different Experiences
A standard blood glucose meter (sometimes called a BGM) uses a small lancet to prick your finger and a disposable test strip to measure your blood sugar at that moment. You get a single reading each time you test. These meters are widely available over the counter at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online retailers.
A continuous glucose monitor works differently. A tiny sensor, usually applied to the back of your upper arm or abdomen, reads glucose levels in the fluid just under your skin every few minutes. It sends data to your phone or a small receiver, giving you a real-time number plus a trend arrow showing whether your glucose is rising, falling, or holding steady. CGMs also alert you when levels go too high or too low and capture overnight readings you’d otherwise miss. The tradeoff is higher cost and, in many cases, the need for a prescription.
Buying a Standard Meter Without a Prescription
Any adult can walk into a pharmacy and buy a blood glucose meter off the shelf. The meter itself is usually the cheapest part. Store brands like ReliOn (available at Walmart) and CVS Health meters typically cost between $10 and $30. Name-brand meters from Accu-Chek, OneTouch, or Contour may run $20 to $50, though manufacturers frequently offer the meter at a discount or even free to get you into their test strip ecosystem.
Test strips are the ongoing expense, and prices vary dramatically by brand. On the low end, Prodigy strips run about $0.15 each. Mid-range options like CVS Health Advanced and ReliOn fall between $0.22 and $0.29 per strip. Premium brands cost more: Accu-Chek Guide strips run roughly $0.45 each, and OneTouch Ultra strips can reach $1.00 per strip. If you’re testing four times a day with a dollar-per-strip brand, that’s over $120 a month in strips alone. Choosing a less expensive compatible brand can cut that cost significantly.
You’ll also need lancets (the small needles used with a lancing device to prick your finger), but these are cheap, typically a few dollars for a box of 100.
Getting a CGM With a Prescription
If you have diabetes, the most common route to a CGM is through your doctor. Prescription CGMs from Dexcom (G7, G6) and Abbott (FreeStyle Libre) are the major options, and insurance often covers a significant portion of the cost when medical criteria are met.
To start the process, bring up CGMs at your next appointment. Your doctor will evaluate whether you meet the coverage criteria your insurer requires. For most private insurance plans and Medicare, the key qualifying factors are a diabetes diagnosis plus at least one of the following: you use insulin (any type, any amount), or you have a documented history of problematic low blood sugar episodes. The specific type of diabetes doesn’t matter.
Medicare coverage requires one additional step: you must have had an in-person visit or approved telehealth appointment with your prescribing doctor within the six months before the CGM is ordered. Your doctor also needs to confirm that you or a caregiver has been trained to use the device. Once the prescription is written, your doctor’s office or the CGM manufacturer’s specialty pharmacy typically handles prior authorization with your insurance. This can take a few days to a few weeks depending on your plan.
If your insurance denies coverage or you don’t meet the criteria, you can still fill the prescription out of pocket. Expect to pay $150 to $400 per month depending on the brand and sensor model, since most CGM sensors last 10 to 15 days and need regular replacement.
Over-the-Counter CGMs: No Prescription Needed
In March 2024, the FDA cleared the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor: the Dexcom Stelo. It became available for purchase in August 2024, and you can buy it directly from Stelo.com without a prescription.
A two-pack of sensors (covering about 30 days of wear) costs $99 on a pay-as-you-go basis. A monthly subscription brings the price down to about $89 per month. No insurance is involved, and no doctor visit is required.
There’s an important limitation. The Stelo is designed for adults 18 and older who do not use insulin. That includes people with type 2 diabetes managed through oral medications and people without diabetes who want to track how food and exercise affect their blood sugar. It is not intended for people with problematic low blood sugar episodes, because unlike prescription CGMs, it doesn’t include urgent low-glucose alerts.
Other manufacturers are developing or releasing competing OTC sensors, so this category is expanding. But as of now, the Stelo is the primary option available without a prescription in the United States.
Who Can Get a CGM Without Diabetes
The OTC category opens the door for people without a diabetes diagnosis. If you’re interested in tracking glucose for general health, metabolic awareness, or understanding how your body responds to specific meals and workouts, the Stelo is available to you at full retail price without any medical justification.
Some telehealth companies and wellness startups also pair a prescription CGM with coaching or app-based programs, often marketing to people interested in metabolic health optimization. These services typically connect you with a provider who writes the prescription as part of the membership. Monthly costs vary but generally run $150 to $300 including the sensor supply and app access.
Where to Buy and What to Expect
For standard meters and strips, your best options are pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart), online retailers like Amazon, or directly from the manufacturer’s website. If you have insurance, buying through your pharmacy allows the purchase to run through your prescription drug benefit, which can reduce your out-of-pocket cost on strips significantly. Ask your pharmacist whether your plan has a preferred meter brand, since insurers often cover one brand’s strips at a lower copay than others.
For prescription CGMs, the sensor supply usually ships from a specialty pharmacy or durable medical equipment supplier. Your doctor’s office will typically coordinate this after the prescription is approved. Some brands also let you order refills directly through their apps once the initial prescription is on file.
For the OTC Dexcom Stelo, purchase is currently through the manufacturer’s website. You’ll receive sensors by mail, apply them yourself (the process takes about a minute), and pair the sensor with the Stelo app on your phone to start seeing glucose data.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Situation
- You have diabetes and use insulin: A prescription CGM gives you the most complete picture and is likely covered by insurance. Talk to your doctor about getting one.
- You have diabetes managed with oral medications: You qualify for both prescription and OTC CGMs. If cost is a concern and you don’t need low-glucose alerts, the Stelo at $89 to $99 per month may be simpler than navigating insurance. A standard meter with affordable strips is the lowest-cost option.
- You don’t have diabetes but want to track glucose: An OTC CGM like the Stelo or a wellness-focused telehealth CGM program are your main routes. A basic finger-stick meter also works if you only want occasional spot checks.
- You’re on Medicare: Coverage for CGMs is available if you use insulin or have documented problematic hypoglycemia. You’ll need a recent visit with your prescribing doctor and evidence of adequate training on the device. Standard meters and strips are also covered with a diabetes diagnosis.