Clinical Corner
How to Ask Your Doctor about Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) after a Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
6 min read
Living with Type 2 diabetes can be challenging. Lifestyle changes like healthy eating and exercise may not yield immediate results, and frequent fingersticks* offer only momentary snapshots of your glucose levels. Trying to stay in range can feel frustrating, especially when it feels like your A1C refuses to budge.
Fortunately, technology is changing that. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems like Dexcom G7 provide real-time insights into your glucose trends, helping you make informed decisions and improve your time-in-range. With unmatched accuracy† and its smaller sensor‡ size, Dexcom G7 eliminates the need for traditional fingersticks* and empowers you to take control of your health with confidence.
You’ll need a doctor’s prescription to get Dexcom G7—and their guidance can help you make the most of it. But starting that conversation isn’t always easy. Dexcom knows it can feel intimidating or unclear what to ask.
To help, we spoke with two experts who regularly support patients using CGM:
- Dr. Shawn Peavie, an endocrinologist at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, lives with Type 1 diabetes and uses Dexcom G7 himself. He works closely with Medicare-age patients on diabetes education while emphasizing the benefits of CGM.
- Dr. Zakia Woods McManus, a pharmacist at Riverside Health System in Virginia, is a self-described “CGM superfan.” She leads diabetes care programs across multiple practices, helping patients understand and manage CGM.
Here are their suggestions about the types of questions you should ask your doctor to get you started with CGM like Dexcom G7 and on your way to better Type 2 diabetes management.
Key questions to ask your doctor
If your doctor hasn’t mentioned CGM, bring it up at your next appointment. Dexcom CGM can make managing diabetes easier and less stressful. Hear from Dr. Woods McManus on how to confidently ask your doctor about CGM and why it could be a game-changer for your diabetes management.
Making the most of your next doctor’s visit
You and your doctor have busy schedules, and the time you spend together is precious. So, you’ll want to make the most of your visits and ensure your checkup is productive. According to Woods McManus, preparation is the key.
To get the most out of your appointment:
- Write down your questions.
- Be honest about how you’re feeling.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up for your needs.
How can I best advocate for myself?
Living with Type 2 diabetes is no easy feat, Wood McManus said, and you should feel empowered to advocate for yourself when you visit your doctor. If your healthcare provider has not talked to you about the latest technology, advocate for yourself by bringing it up at your next appointment.
What important questions should I ask my doctor about managing Type 2 diabetes?
You’re ready to visit your doctor and know you need to advocate for yourself. But with limited time at your appointment, you want to ask the right questions to ensure you get quality care.
Peavie suggests three questions every person with Type 2 diabetes should ask their doctor:
- What is my A1C and is it in the appropriate range for me?
- What resources can you provide to help me spend more time in my target glucose range?
- Are there any new technologies we haven’t talked about yet to help me improve my diabetes management?
My A1C is too high, yet every morning when I fingerstick my glucose looks fine. Why is this happening?
This is a common frustration point for those who have diabetes. Even if your morning glucose looks fine, your A1C might still be high. Dexcom G7 CGM can show what’s happening all day, not just one moment. Patients with Type 2 diabetes often come into Peavie’s office asking this important question, and he said the answer usually surprises them.
I’ve made changes to food and drinks after my Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, yet my A1C hasn’t decreased. What’s going on?
Lowering A1C involves more than cutting sugary foods. As Peavie explains, many people don’t realize that all carbohydrates, like pasta, rice, bread, and potatoes, can spike glucose levels. He often sees patients puzzled by stagnant A1C despite dietary changes, which he views as a sign they’re ready to explore new strategies.
I’m interested in CGM like Dexcom G7, but how will it fit in my treatment plan?
Here are some questions you should ask your doctor to determine how Dexcom G7 can become a game-changing part of your diabetes management:
- How does Dexcom G7 help paint a more complete picture of my glucose compared with a fingerstick reading?
- How can Dexcom G7 simplify diabetes management?
- What’s the difference between A1C and glucose time in range, and where should I focus my attention?
- What is my target glucose range? What happens if I am outside of that range?
- How can Dexcom G7 help me learn how different foods affect my glucose?
- How can Dexcom G7 optimize or even reduce the need for one or more of my medications?
- How can Dexcom G7 help me avoid hypoglycemia (low glucose)?
I’m interested in CGM like Dexcom G7, but will my insurance or Medicare cover it?
If you have Type 2 diabetes, Woods McManus suggests checking with your insurance plan about coverage for CGM like Dexcom G7. “I love it when my patients ask me follow-up questions, especially around insurance coverage,” she said. “Many patients I speak with are surprised to learn CGM like Dexcom G7 are actually covered by their insurance and most covered patients pay zero dollars.”
If insurance coverage is a concern, over-the-counter options like Stelo by Dexcom are also available.
And Medicare patients on all types of insulin are now covered for Dexcom G7. Medicare will cover it if§:
- You have been diagnosed with diabetes
- You use any type of insulin or have a history of problematic low glucose
- Your doctor concludes that you or your caregiver understand how to use CGM and has ordered a prescription
- The CGM is prescribed in accordance with the FDA’s indication for its use
- You have an in-person or Medicare-approved visit with your healthcare provider every six months after initiating CGM therapy
Click here for a full description of the Medicare coverage criteria.
Get started on Dexcom G7
If you live with diabetes and don’t currently use CGM, we can help get you started. Click the button below to send us some basic information.
*If your glucose alerts and readings from Dexcom G7 do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. †Dexcom data on file, 2025 ‡Dexcom G7 User Guide, 2023 §Medicare covers Dexcom CGM for patients who meet Medicare coverage criteria. For a list of Medicare coverage criteria, please visit the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services website at https://www.cms.gov/.
BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and its components according to the instructions for use provided with your device and available at https://www.dexcom.com/safety-information and to properly consider all indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and cautions in those instructions for use may result in you missing a severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) occurrence and/or making a treatment decision that may result in injury. If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.
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