Continuous glucose monitoring provides a more complete picture of a patient’s glucose levels, compared to what they’d be able to glean from a single fingerstick reading from a blood glucose meter (BGM). Greater access to more frequent glucose insights can support more effective diabetes management for you and, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Watch a video showcasing how a continuous glucose monitoring system compares to a traditional blood glucose meter below, and keep reading to learn how the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System can give insulin-using patients the power of glucose at a glance.
The Difference is in the Data
Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D/T2D) may experience similar challenges, despite their different diagnoses. Some may struggle to understand how diet decisions affect their glucose levels, how to effectively titrate insulin, or how the timing of exercise and other activities plays a role in their treatment.
Continuous glucose monitoring technology serves to help address these issues, and more. Real-time CGM (RT-CGM) systems, like the Dexcom G6 CGM System, transmit glucose measurements at regular intervals from a wearable sensor to a nearby receiver or compatible mobile device* via Bluetooth.
Dexcom G6 CGM Systems provide users with actionable information, including historic and current glucose values and velocity of glucose change, without requiring volitional behavior.
Continuous Insight, Day and Night
Dexcom G6 CGM System helps minimize the guesswork derived from making diabetes treatment decisions based on a BGM reading alone and requires zero fingersticks† to access glucose data, helping to empower patients to self-manage their diabetes.
†If your glucose alerts and readings from Dexcom G6 do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.
Primary CGM Components
The Dexcom G6 CGM System consists of four main components:
Auto-applicator
Provides simple sensor insertion at the push of a button. A patient can apply the sensor on their own by following the instructions for use.
Sensor
Monitors interstitial glucose levels through a small wire inserted just underneath the skin, sending a signal to the transmitter (10-day lifespan).
Transmitter
Fastened on top of the sensor; sends data wirelessly to the wearer's compatible display device* (3-month lifespan).
Display device
Allows patients to view their real-time glucose data and trends. Dexcom G6 also enables patients to receive a suite of alerts, an Urgent Low alarm, and other notifications on their display device,* which can help warn them of high or low glucose levels.
The Benefits of CGM for Insulin-Using Patients with T1D or T2D
Proven outcomes support your patients' progress.
Reduced Hypoglycemia
The predictive Urgent Low Soon alert offered by Dexcom G6 is associated with reduced hypoglycemia, without a corresponding risk in hyperglycemia.‡,1
A1C Reduction
For patients with T2D and initial A1C levels over 9 percent, the use of Dexcom G6 led to an average A1C reduction of 2 percentage points when paired with a telehealth model.§,2
Quality of Life Improvement
Patients with T2D on mealtime insulin experienced significant quality of life (QOL) score improvements after starting Dexcom G6.||,3
Long-Term CGM Use Supports Long-Term Benefits and Outcomes
A three-year, real-world clinical trial—the longest CGM outcome study to-date—reiterates the clinical impact of using real-time CGM (RT-CGM) systems like Dexcom G6. Study participants with T1D using a Dexcom RT-CGM system showed significantly reduced A1C levels, increased TIR (70-180 mg/dL), and decreased time below range (<70 mg/dL), independent of insulin delivery method.4
This supports the overarching notion that RT-CGM supports improved outcomes and diabetes management for your patients in a way that is both accessible and sustainable. Whether your patients are sitting down for a meal, leading a presentation, or turning in for the evening, they can feel more confident in their daily diabetes treatment decisions that help shape the rest of their lives.
Data Sharing Options Help Connect
Care Teams
Dexcom G6 glucose data may be synced with the no-cost Dexcom Clarity software,¶ streamlining the way you can review patients’ glucose insights during in-person or telehealth appointments.
- Glucose data from your patients’ Dexcom G6 app is automatically# sent to Dexcom Clarity, removing the hassle of manual uploading.**
- Automated reports generated from the synced data offer a simplified alternative to paper logs, which can help save valuable appointment time.
- CGM interpretation using the ‘Overview’ report is billable under Medicare and private insurers (CPT code 95251).††
Dexcom G6 CGM System Frequently Asked Questions
Dexcom sensors are manufactured with a special adhesive to help them stick to patients’ skin after sensor insertion. Adhesive supplements may also be used.
- Liquid adhesive agents can be used with the sensor adhesive patch.1,2 A suggestion for patients when using liquid adhesive agents is to:
1. Create an empty oval on the skin with the liquid adhesive product.
2. Let skin adhesive dry.
3. Insert sensor on clean skin in center of oval.
- Additional adhesive patches or tape can be applied over the sensor adhesive patch.1,2 Suggestions for patients when using adhesive patches or tapes are to:
- Cut a hole in the adhesive patch or tape to fit around transmitter.
- Cut the adhesive patch or tape into strips to use ‘‘picture frame’’ technique around sensor adhesive patch.1,3
For detailed step-by-step instructions on how to use the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, please refer to the user guide. Dexcom, Inc. does not recommend, endorse or warrant any third-party products, including adhesive supplements and removal products.
View the downloadable "What Works for Me" document, which outlines the step-by-step process for how to insert and remove a Dexcom G6 sensor patch.
1. Chase HP, Messer L: Understanding Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors. 3rd ed. Denver: Children’s Diabetes Research Foundation, 2016.
2. Englert K, Ruedy K, Coffey J, et al.: Skin and adhesive issues with continuous glucose monitors: a sticky situation. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2014;8:745–751.
3. Ives B, Sikes K, Urban A, et al.: Practical aspects of realtime continuous glucose monitors: the experience of the Yale Children’s Diabetes Program. Diabetes Educ 2010;36: 53–62.
If patients experience difficulty removing the sensor from their skin, these products and techniques may help:
General Removal Techniques
- Loosen edge of adhesive with fingernail and use products listed below if necessary.1,2
- While removing tapes, use fingers of opposite hand to push skin down and away from adhesive. Continue to move fingers on skin toward adhesive as it is removed.2
- ‘‘Fold back’’ technique: Remove adhesive slowly, at low angle, folding back on itself.2
- ‘‘Stretch and relax’’ technique: Films that stretch (e.g., IV3000 or Tegaderm) may be stretched horizontally away from the center (opposite of the fold back technique) while walking fingers under the dressing to continue stretching it.2
- Use adhesive removal wipes to rub the skin under the tape toward the adhesive as it is removed. This helps loosen adhesive from skin and may help reduce pain with removal.1
Removal Products and Description
| Product | Description |
| Uni-solve Adhesive Remover (Smith&Nephew) | - Comes in wipes or liquid |
| AllKare Adhesive Removal Wipe (ConvaTec Inc) | - Comes in wipes |
| Tac Away Adhesive Removal Wipes (Torbot) | - Comes in wipes - Reciprocal product to Skin Tac |
| Detachol Adhesive Remover (Eloquest) | - Latex free, alcohol free - Comes in single use vials or liquid - Reciprocal product to Mastisol |
| Household oilsa: - Baby oil, coconut oil or olive oil |
- Least specialized and least expensive option |
For detailed step-by-step instructions on how to use the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, please refer to the user guide. Dexcom, Inc. does not recommend, endorse or warrant any third-party products, including adhesive supplements and removal products.
View the downloadable "What Works for Me" document, which outlines the step-by-step process for how to insert and remove a Dexcom G6 sensor patch.
1. Chase HP, Messer L: Understanding Insulin Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors. 3rd ed. Denver: Children’s Diabetes Research Foundation, 2016.
2. McNichol L, Lund C, Rosen T, Gray M: Medical adhesives and patient safety: State of the science: consensus statements for the assessment, prevention, and treatment of adhesive related skin injuries. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2013;40:365–380; quiz E361–E362.
a Used within institution or support in public commentary, online articles, diabetes blogs, social media.
Yes, Dexcom G6 is indicated for children as young as 2 years old.
Yes, Dexcom G6 does work with Clarity. Patients will not need to register again nor download a new Dexcom Clarity App if they have already established an account. If you are already sharing with your clinic, the clinic will not need to reconnect.
*To view a list of compatible smart devices, visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
‡This predictive alert can be triggered with impending hypoglycemia (glucose of 55 mg/dL or below is predicted to occur within the next 20 minutes).
§Based on the difference in A1C between baseline and measurements obtained 90 to 180 days thereafter.
||Prior to participating in any study procedures, each subject was asked to voluntarily document their consent by signing an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved informed consent form.
¶Register for Dexcom Clarity at clarity.dexcom.com/professional/registration.
#An internet connection is required for patients to send their glucose data to Dexcom Clarity via a compatible smart device: dexcom.com/compatibility
**Healthcare providers will only be able to view a patient’s glucose data if the patient elects to share it with them through Dexcom Clarity.
††The reimbursement information provided is intended to assist you with billing for your services related to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). It is intended for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of coverage and payment. Providers are encouraged to contact their local payers with questions related to coverage, coding and payment. Rates provided under the Medicare PFS and OPPS are rounded to the nearest hundredth.
1 Puhr S, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther 2019;21(4):155-8.
2 Dixon, et al. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2020;14(5):908-911.
3 Grlben TR. Noar A Blalock 0, Polonsky WH. Chmge m Hemoglobin Ale and Quality of Life with Real-Time Continuous Glucose Momtonng Use by People with Insulin-Treated Diabetes in the Landmark Study. Diabetes Technol Ther 2021:23.S3S·S39
4 Šoupal J, et al. Diabetes Care 2019;43(1):37-43.