For years, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) were seen as a tool mainly for type 1 diabetes.
The times have changed. According to the latest 2026 American Diabetes Association Standards of Care, recommendations for CGM use in adults with type 2 diabetes have broadened significantly. For Black adults, who face even higher rates of type 2 diabetes and its complications, this shift matters.
So what caused this change?
To break down old misconceptions and give new updates, it’s important to understand the scientific discoveries driving this.
Let’s get right into them…
A small sensor worn on the body that places a filament beneath the skin, a CGM measures glucose levels continuously. As it does, it regularly sends data to a smartphone or reader, providing updates and insights.
Although fingerstick meters still have an important place in blood sugar management, they provide a snapshot of your glucose at the moment you test. A CGM, on the other hand, tracks glucose throughout the day and night, helping you see trends and patterns over time. That information can help you understand how factors such as food, stress, sleep, physical activity and medication may affect your glucose levels.
Because the ADA has expanded its recommendations, it now indicates CGMs at diagnosis or any time afterward.
This includes:
As the ADA states clearly: The recommendations go beyond “considering” CGM and now recommend its use for adults with type 2 diabetes—even for those on glucose-lowering therapies other than insulin or in cases where CGM can improve management, regardless of the treatment approach.
This is a clear expansion beyond earlier, less direct language.
For Black adults (and youth), diabetes and diabetes management are like a double-edged sword. Not only are Black adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at higher rates, with complications at younger ages, but they’re also at the same time less likely to be prescribed or to use CGMs than white patients, even when insurance and income are taken into account.
Unfortunately, these disparities appear in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and across age groups. However, here’s the good news. When CGMs are made readily available and covered, some studies find that racial gaps in prescriptions can shrink; moreover, Black patients may even achieve similar A1C improvements.
So what does this mean in real life?
For one, it means that many Black adults may be relying primarily on fingerstick readings and A1C checks, which provide important information but may not show the full picture of how glucose levels change throughout the day.
Secondly, it means that when these barriers to access are addressed, Black individuals can enjoy improved outcomes like those of other racial groups.
This is certainly a systemic and societal problem that must be addressed, starting with individual self-advocacy at the doctor’s door.
To illustrate how CGMs can help, it’s best to envision a day-in-the-life scenario.
Take, for example, a 48-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes who is on oral medication. While self-monitoring, she noticed that her fasting numbers were sometimes high. After starting a CGM, she could pinpoint late-night snacking and short sleep as the cause of those elevations.
As a result, she adjusted her evening routine over time, and her range improved within weeks. This is the kind of information a single A1C test probably won’t communicate.
Another example would be a 60-year-old man taking basal insulin. He decided to use CGM alerts to catch overnight lows he had been sleeping through. His wife, worried about him, finally gained some peace of mind through the app’s sharing feature.
These devices can also help people see the real-time impact of cultural favorites. For instance, rice, bread, sweet tea, and large portions at family gatherings, all of which can be adjusted without heavy guesswork.
Under the updated guidance, many adults with type 2 diabetes can benefit, even if they may think they’re not recommended to be on the medication.
As previously noted, you can ask your doctor about CGMs if you’re:
Older adults on insulin are also specifically included in the 2026 recommendations. If your clinician has not mentioned a CGM, it’s appropriate to ask: “The 2026 ADA guidelines expanded CGM recommendations for type 2 diabetes. Is this right for me?”
You will also want to weigh various practical considerations. Coverage, as you’re probably aware, can range greatly by insurance plan. Many commercial plans, Medicare, and Medicaid programs may now cover CGMs for a wider group of people than in the past.
For instance, Medicare Part B covers CGMs for people with diabetes who are treated with insulin, regardless of how often they administer it. People with diabetes who don’t use insulin may also qualify if they have a documented history of problematic hypoglycemia, such as recurrent episodes of glucose below 54 mg/dL despite treatment adjustments or a severe episode requiring assistance from another person. Other eligibility requirements also apply, including a prescription and documentation that the patient meets Medicare’s coverage criteria.
That said, you must see your doctor in person or via telehealth every six months to keep your coverage. For most people, CGMs require a 20% coinsurance after you meet your deductible. They are covered under Part B as durable medical equipment.
Medicaid is different. Coverage varies by state, but most state programs currently offer some level of CGM coverage. Some states may restrict coverage to Type 1 diabetes or require proof that you need frequent daily fingerstick tests.
Patient assistance programs may also assist those who qualify. The training is usually short, and many CGM sensors are designed to be worn for 10–14 days before they need to be replaced. And if you’re concerned about wearing a device or privacy issues, remind yourself:
Modern sensors are small, and apps allow you to control what is shared and with whom. To get it going, start with a short trial period so you can decide if the information is useful in your daily life.
That’s what matters most. Your life, your decisions, your confidential conversations with your care team. While certain technologies might not be pragmatic for everyone, for some, they are an absolute game-changer.
Don’t be afraid to embrace new tech, and don’t hesitate to learn from those who want to help and educate. Your friends, family, and future more than deserve it!
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