Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and automated insulin delivery (AID) devices are considered the standard of care for people with insulin-requiring diabetes. These devices help people better monitor glucose levels and adjust insulin dosing, offering a more effective approach to diabetes care that can improve disease management and health outcomes. However, Medicaid members — who are disproportionately affected by diabetes — often face barriers to accessing CGMs and AID devices. These include inconsistent coverage policies across states, burdensome prior authorization requirements, and limited provider and patient education.
This webinar, made possible by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, will feature state leaders from Kentucky and Michigan discussing how each has expanded Medicaid access to CGMs through policy changes and engagement with beneficiaries and providers. An endocrinologist will share considerations for policy makers, drawing on extensive experience treating patients and contributing to national diabetes guidelines.
State Medicaid officials, health plan representatives, and other interested stakeholders are invited to join this 60-minute event.
Agenda
I. Welcome and Introduction
Speaker: Greg Howe, Senior Fellow, CHCS
II. Kentucky: Using a data-driven approach to expanding access to CGMs
Speaker: Leitha Harris, Human Services Program Branch Manager, Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services, Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Leitha Harris will describe how Kentucky’s Medicaid agency used a data-driven, collaborative approach to update its CGM policy and target outreach and resources to members and providers to increase the use of CGMs and other diabetes-related supports.
III. Michigan: Understanding barriers and identifying opportunities to improve CGM adoption
Speaker: Lauren Neely, Manager, Diabetes and Other Chronic Diseases Section, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Lauren Neely will describe Michigan’s efforts to expand access to CGMs for Medicaid beneficiaries. She will highlight efforts to better understand barriers to CGM use in the community and opportunities to increase adoption.
IV. Lessons from Caring for Patients Who Use CGMs and AID Devices
Speaker: Anne Peters, MD, Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and Director of the USC Clinical Diabetes Programs
Anne Peterswill share her experience prescribing and caring for patients who use CGMs and AID devices, identify key considerations for policymakers, and share emerging best practices for improving access to these devices.
V. Moderated Q&A
Moderator: Greg Howe, CHCS
