NIHB Coverage for the Freestyle Libre
As a Canadian Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) I have had the opportunity to assist many individuals to access and use the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitor to assist with their diabetes management. A colleague recently asked me about non-insured health benefits coverage for the Freestyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring device so that prompted me to share some of what I know to help others learn as well.
The Freestyle Libre is a blood glucose monitoring device that has become a popular piece of diabetes technology in recent years. It helps those living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to skip the finger pokes and instead scan their arm to check their blood sugar/blood glucose and to see patterns in their daily blood sugar trends. People with diabetes need to know their blood sugar levels at any given time for many reasons including to help them decide how much insulin to give themself, to show their body’s responses to food and activity, and also to tell the patient if they are at a safe blood sugar level for exercise or to drive.
The Freestyle Libre gives information beyond the single blood sugar test and does this without the pain of a finger poke. The Freestyle Libre, which is both a sensor device that is worn on the arm and a reader (Libre scanner or smartphone), gives patients their current blood sugar levels, their blood sugar pattern over the last day or days, and also gives an indication of where their blood sugars are going over the next 15 minutes.
The Freestyle Libre Device
The Freestyle Libre sensor is a small wearable continous glucose monitor, about the size of a Canadian “Toonie” ($2 coin) that is worn on the arm. The sensor records sugar/glucose levels every 15 minutes. This impressive device captures over a thousand (1000) blood sugar test results every day for up to 15 days.
It is important to note the libre does not read a true “blood sugar” in that the sensor is not sitting in the blood. The device estimates the person’s blood sugar based on the glucose levels of the interstitial fluid, which is fluid just under the skin.
In Canada, the Freestyle Libre has been available since August 2017. People living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have the ability to know their blood sugars in real time without fingerpoke testing. Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is painful, expensive, and only offers a single piece of information to the person living with diabetes. Often people with diabetes need to test at least 2 times (referred to in practice as “testing in pairs”) to have enough information to make treatment decisions. This gets expensive and is cumbersome for the patient.
The Freestyle Libre is widely available in pharmacies across Canada. A prescription is not required for the over-the-counter purchase of the Libre but is required if you want to be reimbursed for the cost by your health plan. Many 3rd party insurers, such as those who provide workplace coverage, also cover the Freestyle Libre for people with diabetes but each plan differs in their coverage. It is best to call your plan administrator directly if you have workplace coverage for the Freestyle Libre as they will have the most current coverage amounts for you.
Non Insured Health Benefit (NIHB) Coverage
If you work with Indigenous peoples in Canada who have health benefits under the Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, you may have wondered about coverage for the Freestyle Libre using this health benefits plan. The NIHB benefits plan does offer coverage for the Freestyle Libre for those using insulin to treat their diabetes. The approval for use by Health Canada in anyone over age 4.
Want to learn more about blood sugar testing, the Freestyle Libre and testing in pairs?
Click the link below to access free videos and previews for our Diabetes Manager University (DMU) online training program for Canadian Healthcare Professionals. In the DMU we have a full session dedicated to the use and interpretation of blood sugar testing tools. The DMU training program can help you Learn to Make a Difference in Diabetes.
What has your experience been with the Freestyle Libre? What are your patients saying about using it to manage their diabetes? Drop a comment or a question here or join us on Facebook in the Diabetes Training 101 Inc. Community of Learning.
Michelle Archer, RD, CDE
Registered Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Educator
Diabetes Training 101 Inc.
References
- Libre Availability August 2017: https://www.cadth.ca/dv/ieht/flash-glucose-monitoring-system-diabetes
- Health Canada Approval https://hpr-rps.hres.ca/reg-content/summary-basis-decision-medical-device-detailThree.php?linkID=SBD00477&wbdisable=fals