Courtesy: Government of Alberta
Alberta’s government is expanding access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), making it easier for Albertans to monitor and manage their diabetes.
Alberta’s government is committed to improving access to medical technology that helps Albertans better manage their health. With approximately 1.3 million Albertans currently living with diabetes and pre-diabetes, and that number expected to rise to 1.7 million by 2034, expanding access to innovative health technologies is now more important than ever.
CGM coverage for children under 18 began in February 2022, following a health technology assessment that determined they would benefit the most from this technology. Building on that success, Alberta is now extending CGM coverage to eligible adults.
“Managing one’s diabetes can be extremely stressful. Expanding access to these monitors for more Albertans will make their lives easier and relieve the burden on people living with diabetes.”
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
Expanding coverage for continuous glucose monitors is an important part of the government’s commitment to ensuring Albertans can access the medical technology they need. This means that all Albertans living with diabetes requiring certain insulin therapies, and enrolled in an Alberta government-sponsored health benefit plan, can access this vital technology.
This expansion fulfills a key recommendation from the Diabetes Working Group, which provided advice to Alberta’s government on improving Alberta’s diabetes care pathway.
“On behalf of the Diabetes Working Group, we are delighted that the Government of Alberta has expanded access to continuous glucose monitors in response to one of our key recommendations. This is life changing for tens of thousands of Albertans living with diabetes.”
Dr. Julie McKeen and Dr. Peter Sargious, co-chairs, Diabetes Working Group
“The benefits derived from continuous glucose monitoring devices are transformative for many people who live with diabetes. Diabetes Canada applauds the Government of Alberta’s decision to remove the age restriction to accessing CGMs. This will improve the quality of life for so many Albertans.”
Laura Syron, president and CEO, Diabetes Canada
The use of a continuous glucose monitor reduces or eliminates the need for blood glucose test strips. Albertans who receive funding for a continuous glucose monitor will have adjusted limits for blood glucose test strips for occasional use of blood glucose test strips. Albertans who do not receive funding for a continuous glucose monitor will continue to have the same blood glucose test strip limits.
This expansion is a significant step forward for Alberta, improving the quality of life for thousands of Albertans living with diabetes. By making continuous glucose monitors more accessible, the government is not only enhancing health outcomes but also reducing the stress and daily burden that comes with managing this chronic condition.
Quick facts
- Approximately 23,500 Albertans aged 18 years and older will now be eligible for continuous glucose monitor coverage.
- A continuous glucose monitor is a device that reads a person’s blood sugar levels every few minutes and sends the information to a smart phone. If needed, the individual can then take the appropriate action to either increase or lower their blood sugar levels.
- Funding for the first two years of this initiative is provided through the Canada-Alberta agreement to improve health care.
