Alberta expanding continuous glucose monitor coverage [Video]

The government of Alberta is expanding access to technology used to better manage diabetes.

In a Monday press release, the province announced it was expanding coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), a wearable device that helps diabetics track glucose levels 24-hours a day.

According to Diabetes Canada, the devices give people a more complete picture of their blood sugar, which can help with short- and long-term treatment. 

Peter Senior, director of the Alberta Diabetes Institute, is “delighted” with the expansion.

“CGM has been probably the game changer in my clinical practice in diabetes over a number of years,” Senior said. “It provides an insight, and a perspective and a safety that is second-to-none.”

The province reports there are about 1.3 million Albertans who live with either diabetes or pre-diabetes, and that number is expected to rise to 1.7 million by 2034.

Senior said CGMs offer the most benefit to diabetics with “unpredictable” blood …