The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) applauds Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp for signing a bill allowing a broader population of Georgia’s Medicaid beneficiaries to be eligible for a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a big win for those diagnosed with diabetes who are insulin dependent.
CGMs continually monitor blood glucose (blood sugar), giving real-time updates through a device that is attached to a person’s body. People with diabetes who use a CGM have fewer instances of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and can achieve a lower A1C, an important indicator of glucose management.
The benefits of CGMs include:
- Help in avoiding or delaying serious, short- and long-term diabetes complications
- Potential reduced hospitalizations
- Potential cost savings through improved diabetes management
- Fewer adverse diabetes events
The new law, created by Senate Bill 35, streamlines CGM eligibility criteria and is effective July 1, 2024. Learn more about CGMs here.
“The ADA thanks Governor Kemp and bill authors Representative Danny Mathis and Senator Shelly Echols along with Representative Sharon Cooper and Senator Ben Watson for their support and leadership during the legislative process. The ADA is appreciative of their commitment to people living with diabetes. CGMs play a critical role in allowing patients and their medical providers to better manage their diabetes,” said Veronica De La Garza, the ADA’s director of state government affairs.
Over 38 million Americans have diabetes and nearly 98 million American adults have prediabetes. According to the ADA, approximately 1,024,000 adults in Georgia, or 12.1% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. Additionally, an estimated 50,100 adults in Georgia are diagnosed with diabetes each year.
“Today is an exciting day in Georgia for those on Medicaid insurance who will now have access to CGMs. Passage of SB 35 improves access to a vital tool to help Georgians on Medicaid who live with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and utilize insulin therapy, or experience problematic hypoglycemia. This access to CGMs will vastly improve their quality of life and daily management of their diabetes. A key benefit from CGMs includes reduced hospitalizations for these individuals. Thank you to Governor Kemp and the members of the Georgia General Assembly for supporting SB 35,” said Mandy Reece, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, a volunteer with the ADA.
If you are struggling to pay for insulin or know someone who is, the ADA has resources to help, visit InsulinHelp.org.
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 83 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life®. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
