Glucose Monitoring Devices and Supplies
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Coverage policy governing home blood glucose meters and supplies, non-implantable and implantable continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and related supplies for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island members, with distinctions for Medicare Advantage and Commercial products.
Effective 10/1/2025, Dexcom and Abbott FreeStyle Libre non-implantable CGM devices obtained from a retail pharmacy no longer require prior authorization for Commercial products.
Effective 3/1/2026, prior authorization is no longer required for Medicare Advantage Plans for use of iCGM (implantable CGM).
Medicare Advantage meter and test strip coverage is limited to Abbott OneTouch branded products; non-Abbott monitors covered only when coverage criteria are met.
Coverage Criteria for Glucose Monitoring Devices and Supplies
General coverage categories and payer distinctions
Coverage rules differ by device type and by Medicare Advantage vs Commercial products.
See device-specific sections for payer distinctions
Quantity limits referenced in Coding section.
Self-funded commercial products may still require prior authorization through the PBM vendor.
Non-adjunctive devices may be billed under A4239/E2103 and adjunctive under A4238/E2102; PDAC listing and billing pathway requirements apply.
See implantable procedure CPT codes and global reimbursement guidance.
CGM Indications — ANY one of the following indication nodes with practitioner documentation requirement
A CGM may be prescribed when ANY ONE of the following indications is met and the treating practitioner documents required evaluation within 6 months prior to ordering:
Treating practitioner must have an in-person or Medicare-approved telehealth visit within 6 months prior to ordering to evaluate diabetes control and determine criteria are met.
Covered code groups (excerpt) — top-level grouping of code coverage by device type and payer
Covered codes for Medicare Advantage Plans and Commercial Products (per document):
Modifier 25 guidance applies for same-day E&M billing with 0446T.
95249–95251 cover sensor placement, calibration, monitoring, patient training, and interpretation/reporting as specified.
Use A4238/A4239 with E2102/E2103 for non-implantable CGM supply billing; PDAC listing requirements may apply.
The policy excludes several supply items and device classes from coverage. Specifically, antiseptic skin preparations including A4244–A4247 (alcohol/peroxide and betadine/phisoHex) are not covered because they are not required for device function. A4250 (urine reagent strips or tablets) are not covered when used in conjunction with a CGM. Reflectance colorimeter devices intended for clinical settings are not covered as home durable medical equipment due to their requirement for frequent professional recalibration. In addition, devices not designed for home use coded A9270 and home disposable monitors including test strips coded A9275 are explicitly listed as not covered.
For Medicare Advantage claims the legacy HCPCS supply codes A9276–A9278 should not be used to bill for supplies associated with non-implantable CGM device codes E2102 (adjunctive) or E2103 (non‑adjunctive). The document states these supply codes are described for non-implantable CGM systems but are not used to bill supplies for E2102/E2103.
The policy clarifies that HCPCS A9276–A9278 are not covered for Medicare Advantage Plans per CMS guidance, while the same codes are covered for Commercial products. Providers should follow the payer-specific coding instructions and not use these legacy supply codes when billing Medicare Advantage.
Reflectance colorimeter devices used to measure blood glucose in clinical settings are identified as unsuitable for home use and are not covered as durable medical equipment because they require frequent professional recalibration, making them inappropriate for patient-operated home monitoring.
For Medicare Advantage coverage of non‑implantable CGM supplies, the policy requires that CGM systems be billed and classified in accordance with CMS guidance. In particular, CGM systems billed under HCPCS E2103 must not rely on legacy supply codes A9276–A9278 for supplies; use the HCPCS codes and supply allowances specified for the device type and follow PDAC/HCPCS classification requirements.
The policy states that Continuous Glucose Monitor systems that are not reviewed and listed on the PDAC Product Classification List for HCPCS code E2103 will not be covered for Medicare Advantage. Providers should confirm PDAC listings when submitting Medicare Advantage claims for non‑adjunctive CGM devices.
Coding and Code Tables
| A4244 | Alcohol or peroxide (not covered) |
| A4245 | Alcohol or peroxide (not covered) |
| A4246 | Betadine or phisoHex (not covered) |
| A4247 | Betadine or phisoHex (not covered) |
| A4250 | Urine test reagent strips or tablets (not covered when used with a CGM) |
| A9270 | Glucose monitors not designed for home (will be denied as statutorily not covered) |
| A9275 | Home blood glucose disposable monitor incl. test strips (not covered) |
| A4253 | Blood glucose test or reagent strips for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 strips |
| A4259 | Lancets, per box of 100 |
| A4271 | Integrated lancing and blood sample testing cartridges for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 tests |
| E0607 | Home blood glucose monitor |
| E2100 | Blood glucose monitor with integrated voice synthesizer |
| E2101 | Blood glucose monitor with integrated lancing/blood sample |
| E2104 | Home blood glucose monitor for use with integrated lancing/blood sample testing cartridge |
| A4253 | Blood glucose test or reagent strips for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 strips |
| A4259 | Lancets, per box of 100 |
| A4271 | Integrated lancing and blood sample testing cartridges for home blood glucose monitor, per 50 tests |
| E0607 | Home blood glucose monitor |
| E2100 | Blood glucose monitor with integrated voice synthesizer |
| E2101 | Blood glucose monitor with integrated lancing/blood sample |
| E2104 | Home blood glucose monitor for use with integrated lancing/blood sample testing cartridge |
| A9276 | Sensor; invasive (e.g., subcutaneous), disposable, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system, one unit = 1 day supply |
| A9277 | Transmitter; external, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system |
| A9278 | Receiver (monitor); external, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system |
| S1030 | Continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring device, purchase |
| S1031 | Continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring device, rental, including sensor, sensor replacement, and download to monitor |
| 0446T | Creation of subcutaneous pocket with insertion of implantable interstitial glucose sensor, including system activation and patient training |
| 0447T | Removal of implantable interstitial glucose sensor from subcutaneous pocket via incision |
| 0448T | Removal of implantable interstitial glucose sensor with creation of subcutaneous pocket at different anatomic site and insertion of new implantable sensor, including system activation |
| A9276 | Sensor; invasive (e.g., subcutaneous), disposable, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system, one unit = 1 day supply. |
| A9277 | Transmitter; external, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system. |
| A9278 | Receiver (monitor); external, for use with non-durable medical equipment interstitial continuous glucose monitoring system. |
| S1030 | Continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring device, purchase (for physician interpretation of data, use CPT code). |
| S1031 | Continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring device, rental, including sensor, sensor replacement, and download to monitor (for physician interpretation of data, use CPT code). |
| 0446T | Creation of subcutaneous pocket with insertion of implantable interstitial glucose sensor, including system activation and patient training |
| 0447T | Removal of implantable interstitial glucose sensor from subcutaneous pocket via incision |
| 0448T | Removal of implantable interstitial glucose sensor with creation of subcutaneous pocket at different anatomic site and insertion of new implantable sensor, including system activation |
| 95249 | Ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring of interstitial tissue fluid via a subcutaneous sensor for a minimum of 72 hours; patient-provided equipment, sensor placement, hook-up, calibration of monitor, patient training, and printout of recording |
| 95250 | Ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring of interstitial tissue fluid via a subcutaneous sensor for a minimum of 72 hours; sensor placement, hook-up, calibration of monitor, patient training, removal of sensor, and printout of recording |
| 95251 | Ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring of interstitial tissue fluid via a subcutaneous sensor for a minimum of 72 hours; interpretation and report |
Provider Requirements, Billing Guidance, and Audit Risks
CGM supply coding and billing
CGM supply coding and billing: For non-adjunctive (non-implantable) devices, bill device and supplies with HCPCS A4239 (supply allowance, non-adjunctive) and E2103 (non-adjunctive CGM or receiver). For adjunctive devices, bill with HCPCS A4238 (supply allowance, adjunctive) and E2102 (adjunctive CGM or receiver). Up to a 90-day supply of A4238/A4239 may be billed and is reimbursable by BCBSRI. Claims for devices dispensed under the Pharmacy benefit must still include the appropriate HCPCS when billed under DME.
- A4239 — Supply allowance for non-adjunctive, non-implanted CGM (1 month = 1 unit).
- E2103 — Non-adjunctive, non-implanted continuous glucose monitor or receiver.
- A4238 — Supply allowance for adjunctive, non-implanted CGM (1 month = 1 unit).
- E2102 — Adjunctive, non-implanted continuous glucose monitor or receiver.
- Up to 90-day supply of A4238/A4239 may be billed.
Device-specific billing pathway
Device-specific billing pathway: Certain non-adjunctive devices are explicitly listed and must be billed to BCBSRI using A4239 and E2103. Devices not PDAC-listed for E2103 will not be covered for Medicare Advantage. Dexcom G5, Dexcom G6, and Abbott FreeStyle Libre are classified as non-adjunctive and must follow the A4239/E2103 pathway. Commercial retail pharmacy-dispensed Dexcom and Abbott FreeStyle Libre devices are covered through the member’s Pharmacy Benefit (no PA effective 10/1/2025) or via a DME provider under the subscriber's DME benefit.
Prior authorization — implantable and ambulatory CGM
Prior authorization — implantable and ambulatory CGM: Implantable CGM surgical procedures (0446T, 0447T, 0448T) and ambulatory CGM services (95249–95251) are covered when medically appropriate. For implantable CGM insertion (0446T), the code is globally reimbursed for procedure and device; a separate same-day E&M may be billed only if it is a distinct, separately identifiable service and must include modifier 25.
- 0446T — Creation of subcutaneous pocket with insertion of implantable interstitial glucose sensor (globally reimbursed).
- 0447T — Removal of implantable interstitial glucose sensor.
- 0448T — Removal with creation of new pocket and insertion of new implantable sensor.
- 95249, 95250, 95251 — Ambulatory CGM services (monitoring, placement/removal, interpretation/report).
- Modifier 25 required to identify separately billable E&M on same day as 0446T.
Not covered HCPCS
Not covered HCPCS: The following HCPCS will be denied / are not covered under the DME benefit for home use when billed inappropriately: A9270 and A9275 are statutorily not covered for home use and will be denied; A9276–A9278 are not the correct codes to bill for non-/adjunctive CGM devices and supplies and their use for E2102/E2103-related items is considered incorrect billing and may trigger denials.
Modifier requirement
Modifier requirement: Per CMS guidance, claims for blood glucose monitoring equipment and related supplies must include modifier KX if the member is insulin treated, or modifier KS if the member is non‑insulin treated. The KX modifier must not be used for members not treated with insulin injections. Missing or incorrect modifiers may result in claim denial.
- Modifier KX — use when beneficiary is insulin treated; do not use KX if not treated with insulin.
- Modifier KS — use when beneficiary is non‑insulin treated.
- Ensure required modifier present on every HCPCS supply code line to avoid denial.
Incorrect supply billing risk
Incorrect supply billing risk: Do not bill supplies associated with adjunctive or non-adjunctive CGM devices using HCPCS A9276–A9278. BCBSRI requires supplies for adjunctive devices be billed under A4238/E2102 and for non‑adjunctive devices under A4239/E2103. Using A9276–A9278 for these supplies is inappropriate and may trigger denials or audit adjustments.
Pre-order visit documentation
Pre-order visit documentation: For both implantable and non‑implantable CGM, within six (6) months prior to ordering the CGM the treating practitioner must have performed an in-person or Medicare‑approved telehealth visit to evaluate diabetes control and document that the clinical criteria for CGM use are met (e.g., insulin treatment or qualifying hypoglycemia history). Maintain this documentation and make it available to BCBSRI upon request.
- In‑person or Medicare‑approved telehealth visit within 6 months prior to ordering CGM.
- Documentation must confirm criteria: insulin-treated OR history of problematic level 2/3 hypoglycemia, or equivalent clinical rationale.
- Failure to produce documentation may result in denial or retraction of payment.
HCPCS + NDC on claims
HCPCS + NDC on claims: To ensure correct claims processing for Medicare Advantage products, file claims with both the HCPCS code and the NDC for the device dispensed. Include required modifiers (KX or KS) on HCPCS supply lines. PDAC listing must be confirmed for devices billed to E2103.
- File HCPCS and NDC on the claim for the device dispensed.
- Include KX or KS modifier on each HCPCS supply line as applicable.
- Verify PDAC listing for devices billed under E2103 for Medicare Advantage coverage.
Background and Rationale
Frequent glucose monitoring is used to support tighter glycemic control, which can improve outcomes but increases the risk of hypoglycemia—particularly in people with type 1 diabetes or those treated with insulin. Continuous glucose monitors sample interstitial glucose at frequent intervals (typically every 1–5 minutes) and help detect trends and asymptomatic hypoglycemia that fingerstick testing may miss. The policy supports CGM use when clinically indicated to identify recurrent level 2 hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dL) or events requiring third‑party assistance (level 3), or when the patient is insulin‑treated, with required documentation of a clinician visit within 6 months prior to ordering.
Definitions and Key Terms
Policy Revision History
Prior authorization for implantable continuous glucose monitors (iCGM) was removed for Medicare Advantage Plans.
Retail pharmacy-obtained Dexcom and Abbott FreeStyle Libre non-implantable CGM devices for Commercial products no longer require prior authorization and are covered under the pharmacy benefit (self-funded commercial plans may still require PA).
Policy effective date recorded as 2026-01-10 for the coverage document.
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