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Key takeaways
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans typically cover FreeStyle Libre 3 for eligible patients.
BCBS coverage of FreeStyle Libre 3 may depend on your specific plan, medical necessity, and whether prior authorization documentation has been submitted.
If your BCBS plan doesn’t cover FreeStyle Libre 3 — or if your copay is too expensive — there are still ways to save, such as using SingleCare coupons or switching to a different CGM.
If you have diabetes, you know the importance of glucose control (blood sugar management). One popular method is to use a prescription continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, such a FreeStyle Libre 3. Unlike traditional finger-prick methods, FreeStyle Libre 3 comes with a sensor you attach to your body to measure your blood glucose levels and provide real-time readings on a smartphone or reader device. The FreeStyle Libre 3 system is FDA-approved for people with diabetes who are 4 years and older with the Libre 3 sensor or 2 years and older with the Libre 3 Plus sensor.
CGM systems like FreeStyle Libre 3 are expensive, so it’s common to wonder if your insurance provider will cover them. The short answer is that many insurers do cover FreeStyle Libre, but exact coverage varies by plan.
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Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover FreeStyle Libre 3?
“Many insurance plans will cover the Freestyle Libre 3,” says Blair Gingerich, Pharm.D., an ambulatory care pharmacist in northern Indiana and a member of the SingleCare Medical Board. This includes Medicare and Medicaid. That said, durable medical equipment (DME) coverage does vary by plan, even within the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) network.
So, what does coverage depend on? Several factors, including:
- Whether FreeStyle Libre 3 is listed in the formulary for your specific BCBS plan
- A diabetes mellitus diagnosis (Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or, potentially, prediabetes — not lifestyle tracking for weight loss or optimizing athletic performance, for example)
- Whether prior authorization has been completed
- Whether you have already met the quantity limits outlined in your plan
A prior authorization means that your BCBS plan requires specific documentation from your
healthcare provider before it will cover the prescription. In some cases, your prescriber might need to submit recent glucose readings and/or hemoglobin A1C (a measure of blood glucose levels over 3 months) results.
Quantity limits are exactly what they sound like: Your plan will cover only a certain number of prescription refills within a set period. For instance, the HealthChoice Illinois BCBS Community Health Plan has set a limit of two FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors per 28-day period. These sensors are designed to last for 14 days; however, the quantity limit could be problematic if a sensor is damaged, malfunctioning, or lost.
Finally, it’s essential to note that you may still incur an out-of-pocket cost for the FreeStyle Libre 3, even if your plan covers it. Many health insurance policies have a copay, a fixed amount the insured individual must pay for prescription refills. “Insurance plans change their coverage every year and usually at the beginning of the year,” Gingerich says. So if your BCBS plan did not cover this blood glucose monitoring system last year, it’s worth your time to check if it is covered this year—or will be next year.
How much does FreeStyle Libre 3 cost?
Prices can vary by pharmacy and location, but the average retail price of FreeStyle Libre 3 is currently $223 for two sensors. That covers up to 28 days of use. That means a full year’s worth of FreeStyle Libre 3 could cost more than $2,800 for people without insurance or financial assistance eligibility. Prices can vary by pharmacy and location.
For those with insurance coverage for FreeStyle Libre 3, out-of-pocket costs are determined by their insurance plan’s copay. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), most people with insurance coverage for the FreeStyle Libre 3 system pay $0 to $60 per month for their device.
How much does FreeStyle Libre 3 cost with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Again, the cost of FreeStyle Libre 3 with BCBS depends on your plan. The AAFP estimates that people with insurance coverage pay between $0 and $60 per month for FreeStyle Libre 3 — but that range accounts for copays from all commercial insurance providers, not just Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Without a health insurance plan that covers FreeStyle Libre 3, costs can still vary by location, pharmacy, and discounts. Cash payers can use a SingleCare coupon to lower the price to as little as $143 for two sensors. (This listed SingleCare price references the cost at Kroger or Harris Teeter pharmacies in zip code 23666 as of November 12, 2025.)
How to check whether your BCBS plan covers FreeStyle Libre 3
To determine whether your BCBS plan covers the FreeStyle Libre 3, you’ll need to review your plan’s formulary, a list of all covered medications and medical devices, along with any criteria such as prior authorization, quantity limits, or step therapy that must be met before coverage is applied.
You can also call the customer care number on your insurance card or log in to your BCBS account portal. In both cases, you will probably need to know your account and group numbers (they’re on your insurance card).
In addition to finding out whether your PCBS plan covers FreeStyle Libre 3, calling a customer service representative or logging into your account is also a good opportunity to get insights on the diabetes-specific benefits of your plan. Some BCBS plans are specifically tailored to help you manage your diabetes.
Is Blue Cross good for managing diabetes?
The short answer: It depends on the plan. Due to its extensive insurance network, Blue Cross Blue Shield typically provides broad access to diabetes care providers and pharmacy benefits. BCBS also offers some plans with specific diabetes management programs.
Plans with these programs may include:
- Free blood glucose meter
- Unlimited free test strips and lancets (for fingerstick blood sugar checks)
- Specialized diabetes support
Not all plans include all of these benefits, so it’s worth checking with your insurance representative about whether you can access any of them.
How to save on FreeStyle Libre 3
CGMs like the FreeStyle Libre 3 can be incredibly helpful for managing blood glucose levels. They offer real-time glucose data and even send alarms when there’s a low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) event. But yes, they are also expensive.
Fortunately, there are ways to save on FreeStyle Libre systems. One of the best ways to lower the retail price of FreeStyle Libre 3 is with a SingleCare discount card or coupon. Visit the SingleCare website or use the mobile app to locate a pharmacy near you to save up to $80 per month on your FreeStyle Libre 3 prescription. You can use SingleCare to save on your other prescriptions, too.
Don’t forget that FreeStyle Libre 3 isn’t the only CGM device out there. Other continuous glucose monitoring devices include FreeStyle Libre 2, Dexcom G5, Dexcom G6, and Dexcom G7. Gingerich points out that there is also an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring system, Dexcom Stelo. Ultimately, only your healthcare provider can help you find the best FreeStyle Libre alternative that fits your lifestyle, budget, and treatment plan.
- Meet the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor, Abbott (2025)
- Cost and coverage, Abbott (2025)
- Provider alert, Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Network of Michigan (2024)
- Use of Continuous Glucose Monitors by people without diabetes: An idea whose time has come, Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (2022)
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), American Academy of Family Physicians (2025)
- Diabetes, Blue Cross Blue Shield (2025)
- FreeStyle Libre 2 Flash Glucose Monitoring System; FreeStyle Libre 3
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring System approval, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2023)