User wearing Stelo CGM from Dexcom.
Courtesy of Dexcom
Dexcom on Monday announced its new over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor Stelo is officially available for purchase in the U.S.
Glucose is a type of sugar people receive from food, and it’s the body’s main source of energy. Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, are small sensors that poke through the skin to measure glucose levels in real time. They are typically prescribed to patients with diabetes since they can help alert users, their loved ones and their doctors to emergencies.
Stelo is primarily intended for patients with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin, though individuals without either condition can also purchase it. Users can buy a one-month supply online for $99, or sign up for an ongoing subscription at $89 a month.
Dexcom said patients also have the option to use their Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts to pay for Stelo, according to a statement.
The company already offers continuous glucose monitors for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients, but Stelo is Dexcom’s first product that does not require a prescription. While most Type 1 patients can already get insurance coverage for the sensors, Stelo is now accessible to millions of Type 2 patients who have been unable to get prescriptions or coverage. It also marks the company’s official foray into a new and potentially lucrative prediabetes market.
Dexcom said there are more than 125 million Americans with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes not using insulin, according to a statement. The company designed Stelo to help teach this patient population how to keep their glucose levels within a healthy range.
“The idea is to help people, over time, learn about diet choices and habits and how those are impacting glucose,” Jake Leach, chief operating officer at Dexcom, told CNBC in an interview. “It’s about uncovering things you haven’t seen before and then using that to create healthier habits.”
How it works
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Stelo in March. It was the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor to be cleared for use, though Dexcom’s competitor Abbott received clearance for two similar devices in June.
Leach said Dexcom is working with Amazon to fulfill Stelo deliveries. Users with a subscription can choose to skip or adjust their delivery date, but it will typically be scheduled at the 30-day interval from their initial sign up.
Stelo is worn on the upper arm and lasts for 15 days before it needs to be replaced. It’s gray, about the size of a quarter, and around half an inch thick.
The sensor wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone app. When users are getting set up, they’ll select whether they have Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or none of the above. This helps establish their “Target Range,” which is where Dexcom wants users to try and keep their glucose levels. The target range is based on established medical standards,