FreeStyle Libre

Abbott Donating FreeStyle Libre for Hospitalized Patients with Diabetes During COVID Pandemic

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Abbott has made the generous and mindful decision to make the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day system available in the U.S. for hospitalized patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full press release here.

Key details from the press release include:

-- More than 50% of people with diabetes who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are hospitalized, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

-- FreeStyle Libre 14 day system can be used by frontline healthcare workers in hospitals to remotely monitor patients with diabetes who can scan to minimize exposure to COVID-19 and preserve use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

-- In partnership with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), Abbott will donate 25,000 FreeStyle Libre 14 day sensors to U.S. hospitals and medical centers in outbreak hotspots to help accelerate access to technology.

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FreeStyle's LibreLink App Now Compatible with Android

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Starting last week, FreeStyle LibreLink is now available for Android phones, as well as compatible iPhones. FreeStyle LibreLink is a mobile app that enables compatible Android and Apple phones to scan a sensor and display glucose data and trends, including:

  • Current glucose reading

  • Trend arrow

  • Up to eight hours of glucose history

With a quick scan over the sensor, you will have glucose readings anytime and anywhere. You can download the new Android app here.

Learn more about the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system by checking out these previous blogs:

Getting to Know Libre CGM

A Review of the FreeStyle Libre Sheds More Light on the New Technology

Healthy Living Now Providing the Abbott Freestyle Libre to Medicare Members

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Why Try CGM?

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Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) brings many people with diabetes better insight into what is happening with their blood sugar levels in the present and over time, with a lot less hassle. A CGM is a small, wearable device system that tracks glucose throughout the day and night. Some systems notify users of highs and lows so they can take action when needed. All systems substantially minimize the need for fingerpricking.

The top CGM systems on the market right now are the Dexcom G6, the FreeStyle Libre 14-Day System, and the Medtronic Guardian Connect CGM. Each system offers a unique set of benefits, but here are some of the best benefits of CGM overall:

  • Better insight into blood glucose trends

  • Less fingerpricks

  • Small and discreet sensors

  • Smartphone apps to track blood glucose levels

  • Alarms and alerts, especially helpful when struggling with nighttime lows

  • Remote monitoring of CGM data from a smartphone, ideal for pediatrics

Get started with CGM by calling the Healthy Living CGM Therapy Team at 866.779.8512 (Option 2) or texting us at 248.577.9903. We will give you a free benefits check to help you understand your coverage and walk you through the next steps, even contacting your doctor's office for you. From start to finish, a CGM enrollment will take commercial and Medicare members roughly 1-14 days, depending on the turnaround on paperwork from the doctor's office.

A Review of the FreeStyle Libre Sheds More Light on the New Technology

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Are you thinking about a CGM and looking for more info about different systems? Sysy Morales from Diabetes Daily reviewed the FreeStyle Libre in an article called "Why I'm Loving the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day System." Our blog will include some highlights of her review.

Comparison

"The FreeStyle Libre 14-Day doesn’t include alarms like the popular Dexcom CGM systems but it is less expensive and so possibly more accessible for many people...For my daughter, I want the system with alarms, of course, and the FreeStyle Libre 14-Day system is not approved for anyone under 18 right now, anyway."

Applying

"Being mechanically inept, I got nervous when following the instructions on how to insert the sensor but I managed it successfully…if you’re worried about it sticking I’d get two alcohol swabs and rub, rub, rub, letting the area fully dry before applying."

Testing

"What I didn’t realize for about one week is that the graph on the reader shows you what your blood glucose has been in the hours before your last finger stick so you can see what your blood sugar has been doing and if you’re trending up or down or hanging steady."

Nice for those Annoyed by Alarms

"The alarms with the Dexcom G6 were so incredibly helpful for keeping tight glucose management but also a bit jarring during times of stress...[with the Libre] I could check as often as I wanted and look at my graph and feel very much in the know without having something dictating when I would do that."

No Bleeding in Public!

"I’m still sensitive to how I come off to others despite how hard I’ve worked at this over the years. Doing a finger stick check in front of people in a public setting, while I’ve done it thousands of times, still makes me uncomfortable...I also hate checking in places that gross me out, too."

Accuracy

"I got the ‘check blood glucose’ symbol about 5 times over the two-week period so I checked my blood sugar those times. My blood sugar was within 30-40 points of what I was getting from the FreeStyle Libre 14-Day system. I also checked a few other times with a finger stick just to assess accuracy. Those times my blood sugar reading was always within 10 points of the FreeStyle Libre 14-Day system. So I felt comfortable dosing off of it but did pay attention and look out for the symbol indicating a finger stick was needed."

Easy to Wear

"While I didn’t have problems with the size and weight of the Dexcom G6 sensor, I found the FreeStyle Libre 14-Day sensor even easier to wear. It’s pretty flat and while heavy, the smooth, circular shape, in my opinion, helps keep it on and feeling balanced. I forgot I had it on."

For Morales's entire review, click here.

To find out more about getting started with a FreeStyle Libre or other CGM system, including a free benefits check, contact our CGM Therapy Team at 866.779.8512 (Option 2) or 248.577.9903 (text).

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Getting to Know Libre CGM

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When we learn more and dig a little deeper, we often come out with better understanding and more compassion. Jennifer, a business development team member with Healthy Living, is trying out the Freestyle Libre CGM for 14 days to help all of us better understand the technology and the patient experience using the sensor and reader. This is similar to the Healthy Living Wear-a-Pump Challenge from a couple of years ago when several team members lived life using an insulin pump for a week! We are excited to hear what Jen will learn from her firsthand experience with the Freestyle Libre CGM system. Learn more about the Freestyle Libre and how to get started.

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OmniPod and Abbott FreeStyle Libre Approved for Coverage by Medicare

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The Abbott Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

The Abbott Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

Great news was announced earlier this month to start the New Year off strong for the diabetes community! Medicare is allowing coverage of the Omnipod tubeless insulin pump and the new FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. And as Diabetes Mine notes, "since CMS typically sets the stage for what private insurers will cover, this is a big win for PWDs (people with diabetes) of all ages!"

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