3  How to get your CGM

The FreeStyle Libre is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies throughout the world (including Mexico and Canada), but requires a doctor’s prescription in the United States.

A month’s supply of sensors costs under US$100, so don’t bother trying to get your health insurance to reimburse you unless you have a specific medical reason, in which case consult your doctor.

There are three ways to get one in the US:

  1. Ask your doctor to prescribe one for you. The Freestyle Buying Guide gives detailed information about how the product works, and what to tell your doctor. Most doctors will be happy to prescribe it if you explain that you’ll be paying out of pocket.

  2. Tastermonial (tastermonial.com) will connect you with a doctor who can provide a prescription for $39 (or $195 including shipment of two sensors). This is the easiest solution for most people.

  3. If you’re traveling to Canada, Mexico, or other countries, you can pick them up locally, or you can order one to be shipped into the US. Michael Cohn describes how he got one from Canada for about $100

3.1 What to buy

Buy the 14-day sensor by itself. If you have an iPhone 7 + or an Android, don’t bother buying the Reader (which is an additional US$200).

3.2 Commercial CGM Products

Several companies will give you a month’s worth of CGM with an app and nutrition advice for under $500.

Levels Health

https://www.levelshealth.com/ offers “metabolic health” services, including a month’s supply of CGMs and nutritionist consultation for about $400/year. They’ll sell additional sensors “at cost”.

January, Inc.

https://january.ai/ $300 2-week program includes 1 Freestyle Libre device and an app to guide your eating, fasting, and exercise choices. The app claims it will predict your glucose levels after that using their “virtual CGM”.

Nutrisense

https://www.nutrisense.io/: Join their “cohort” and receive 2 CGM devices/month and 24/7 nutritionist advice with an app that tracks your glucose, fasting, and more.

Aspect

Aspect Health focuses specifically on women’s metabolic health. You can get their “21 Day Assessment”, which includes an app, a metabolic report, and a coaching session for /$200.