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Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover Freestyle Libre?

Most BCBS plans cover Freestyle Libre if certain diagnosis and prior
Karen Berger medical writer and reviewer headshot
By | May 8, 2025
Freestyle Libre sensor: Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover Freestyle Libre?

Key takeaways

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) coverage for Freestyle Libre depends on your specific plan, diagnosis, and whether prior authorization is required.

  • If BCBS denies your prior authorization for Freestyle Libre, you can still get the device with a prescription from your healthcare provider.

  • To check if your BCBS plan covers Freestyle Libre, you can contact your health insurance provider, check their website, or ask your healthcare provider to send a prescription to your pharmacy and follow up on coverage.

In this article:

If you have diabetes mellitus or prediabetes, your healthcare provider may have suggested using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) as part of your diabetes care plan. CGM systems, such as the Freestyle Libre or Dexcom G6 or G7, monitor your glucose constantly, in real-time. Instead of needing a fingerstick every time you check your glucose (as with traditional blood glucose monitoring using a blood glucose meter and test strips), you can wear a sensor that continuously transmits your glucose levels to a reader or app. While blood glucose monitoring measures your blood sugar (the sugar in your blood), CGMs measure the glucose in your interstitial fluid, which is the fluid between cells. 

Freestyle Libre CGMs are one of the most popular types of continuous glucose monitoring devices. If your healthcare provider recommends a Freestyle Libre and you have insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBS), you will want to know if your health plan provides coverage. The short answer is that it depends on your plan, and a prior authorization may be required.

What are the types of Freestyle Libre?

Currently, there are two types of Freestyle Libre available. The original system was called the FreeStyle Libre 14-day, but the manufacturer, Abbott, has discontinued it. 

The two types of Freestyle Libre currently available include:

Both types can be worn for up to 15 days and update glucose measurements every minute. The Libre 3 Plus is slightly smaller, has a different applicator, and has more memory storage.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover Freestyle Libre?

According to Abbott, the Libre systems are covered by more than 95% of commercial insurance plans. What’s more, Abbott notes that a prior authorization approval can result in a savings of over 50% on the cost of Libre 3 Plus or Libre 2 Plus sensors. 

Coverage may depend on various factors such as:

  • The benefits outlined in your specific BCBS plan
  • Your diagnosis (for example, the Libre may be covered for Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or prediabetes, but not for weight loss)
  • How the Freestyle Libre products are categorized on the plan’s formulary (list of covered drugs, organized into tiers that determine your out-of-pocket costs)
  • Whether prior authorization is required

If you have commercial insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield and are being charged more than $75 for two sensors (a one-month supply), you can contact Abbott customer care at 844-330-5535. They will issue a voucher to lower your monthly cost to $75, which you can start using immediately. 

However, plans can vary in their coverage details, so it is always best to check directly with your specific BCBS plan. They can give you the most up-to-date information on cost and coverage for Freestyle Libre products.

How to get approved for Freestyle Libre

Some insurance plans may approve your prescription immediately without prior authorization. That’s the best-case scenario. However, even if your pharmacist tells you that you need prior authorization, your plan may still cover the Libre once your healthcare provider submits the necessary paperwork. 

A prior authorization means that your insurance plan requires more information before it will determine if it covers the prescription. For example, to cover a Freestyle Libre, your insurance may want to know your diagnosis and supporting information, such as recent lab work, including glucose and/or hemoglobin A1C (a measure of blood glucose control over 3 months). With this information, hopefully, your plan will approve your prescription and contribute to the costs. 

However, you can still get a Libre, even if BCBS denies your prior authorization request. As long as you have a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, you can get a Freestyle Libre. You may have to pay more (see next section for savings tips), but it is still available because you have a prescription. If you have BCBS and your out-of-pocket cost is more than $75, you can contact Abbott or visit their website for a savings card. You can do this even if your insurance has denied a prior authorization. 

Another tip: whether or not your insurance pays for the Libre, you can visit the Abbott website and sign up for a free sensor. 

How much does Freestyle Libre cost?

Without insurance, two Freestyle Libre 2 sensors (a one-month supply) cost about $245. You can use a free SingleCare card or coupon to pay as low as $150.

Two Freestyle Libre 3 sensors (a one-month supply) cost about $229, but a free SingleCare card or coupon can bring the price to as low as $134. 

How to check whether your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan covers Freestyle Libre 

To find out whether your insurance plan covers Freestyle Libre, you can do any of the following:

  • Call your specific insurance plan and ask for coverage and cost information on the Freestyle Libre sensors 
  • Visit your insurance plan’s website, log in, and find the formulary or drug coverage information to see if the Libre is covered
  • Have your healthcare provider send a prescription to your pharmacy, and follow up with the pharmacy regarding coverage status

How to save on Freestyle Libre

There are several ways to save on Freestyle Libre products. You can always use SingleCare to save on your prescriptions. For discounts on the Freestyle Libre (as well as any other prescriptions), visit the SingleCare website. You can enter the information for your prescription (for example, Libre 3 Plus, one box, quantity of two boxes) and compare prices at several participating pharmacies. For even more savings, you can sign up for free for exclusive, member-only discounts. There are no eligibility requirements to join.