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.
They can also be “lifesaving” for patients who experience dangerous blood sugar drops while asleep.
“The benefits derived from continuous glucose monitoring devices are transformative for many people who live with diabetes,” said Laura Syron, Diabetes Canada president and CEO, in the release.
“This will improve the quality of life for so many Albertans.”
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.
In February 2022, Alberta began covering CGMs for youth.
The new coverage came into effect Monday, with the province estimating 23,500 adult Albertans would be eligible for coverage.
The release did not include details on the requirements for the program, but said “all Albertans living with diabetes requiring certain insulin therapies, and enrolled in an Alberta government-sponsored health benefit plan, can access this vital technology.”
Funding for the first two years of the $66-million expansion will come from the Canada-Alberta health-care agreement with the federal government.
More to come…