@funk I’m at a loss to explain the G7 sensor unavailability at a military pharmacy, whether here in VA or WA, should be the same formulary. I’m covered by Medicare/TFL, like you, and it should be the same coverage. If you go to the Tricare formulary (Open Enrollment - Pharmacy Benefit Plans) it used to come up as available, with the same cost structures as today. I just did it as a test and it came up as:
Military (MTF) Covered with limitations.
Uniform Formulary (UF)
Prior authorization ¶ required
Quantity limitations
The “Covered with limitations” is a link so click on it and it says: Your plan provides coverage for this medication in certain situations. To determine if coverage is available, your doctor may request a coverage review by calling the toll-free number, 1-866-684-4488.
This medication is covered for a maximum of 3 sensors per 30 days at retail or if available up to 9 sensors per 90 days at Home Delivery or MTF.
To receive coverage, this drug must be approved through a coverage review . Your prescriber must request the review using either: 1) an electronic PA system or 2) a Prior Authorization form (PDF). Without this, you may pay full price for the drug at retail and it will not be covered at home delivery and/or the military pharmacy. Contact your prescriber to help you with this.
I’ve obtained by G6’s since diagnosis at DOD pharmacies, switched to G7s about 9 months ago with no problem. Prior Auth was not required when I started that I know of, never saw it on the link before now; the “quantity limitations” may be due to other than T1/2’s trying to get them and DOD was trying to restrict them (conjecture on my part). The PA can be taken care of by your PCP/Endo. Also, my understanding (see Is Dexcom CGM covered by Medicare? | Dexcom | Dexcom) Medicare covers G7 as well, so with both Medicare and Tricare coverage, the cost to DOD/TFL should be minimal. I recommend discussing with both your PCP/Endo and the pharmacist (not the clerk that may disburse scripts) at your military pharmacy.
Thank you! Yes, Dexcom is always great about replacing sensors. And thank you for the heads up on your incomplete shipment. I use Edgepark and received a full shipment about a week ago, but It’s good to be aware of shortages. Enjoy your week!
All these G7 shortages make me glad (once again) that I have not yet switched from G6 and also fearful of the inevitable day when I have to move over to the dreaded G7. Can I hold them off until Dexcom releases the G8?
eta: I have a theory that the best version of the product is the one after the new platform. Certainly the G7 was a new platform so maybe the G8 will be a winner.
I’ll go back to your original topic! Last week I had a failed G7 sensor on day 8, unfortunately at 2:00am. Put in a new one right away, and the wire was sticking up out of the hole on top. Sensor #3 worked, but failed on day 9 (today). I am so irritated about having to submit these replacement requests too, but on the flip side, I have a couple of extras in case something happens.
Are other people submitting for replacements if they fail on day 8 or 9? I feel a LITTLE bit guilty, but they didn’t last the entire 10 days as they were supposed to. Until now, I’ve had pretty good luck since last fall, when I started on the G7. (Rarely had issues with G4-G6 though.)
I don’t feel guilty requesting a replacement if it lasts 8 or 9 days. Dexcom is the one who came up with the 10 day limit, presumably based on data from trials. If it turns out that they are losing money because in the real world too many of them fail before 10 days, they could change the expiration to 9 days.
I rarely replaced prior to G7. Failures for me were rare, so I didn’t see the need and I had stock of extra sensors. With G7 I did replace because they were failing so often.
When I posted this I was beyond frustrated, but once I made it to a new refill of sensors, things got much better. I haven’t had a failure in several months.
Just an FYI, there is a clinical study starting now/soon for wearing G7 for 15 days. I tried to get in but was not able to fit into their schedule. Hopefully they beef up the sensors and get 15 day usage approved, that would be very helpful.
I wear mine 10 days+12 hours and, for me, the accuracy is still there, but I do hear people who struggle getting to 10 days. It would be nice if they could get the 15 days with accuracy.
@jim26 & @John58,
Just curious about why people are wanting 15 days instead of 10. Can you tell me?
If it gets approved for 15 days, I don’t think it will save us money, right?
For example, for a 1 month copay, and get 3 sensors to last 30 days. If they approve it for 15 days, you’d pay a 1 month copay and get 2 sensors.
I don’t think they are going to pass the money savings along to us, are they? I imagine the copay will stay the same. (It will save Dexcom money, but not us!)
I am not trying to argue it or debate it, but I am truly curious why people might want 15 days instead of 10 days.
For me, the first 24 hours of a sensor is prone to artificial low readings, and the first
two or three days are more susceptible to compression lows. So I’d prefer to have that only twice per month rather than three times.
Good point. I haven’t had issues with the sensors sticking. I spent a week in Mexico in the sun, in and out of the pools with no issues. Must be a body chemistry thing.
So for me it would just be the convenience of only needing to do it twice a month.
Reducing the days wasted by the bouncey BG readings on Day 1…twice a month instead of thrice is an improvement in my view. Also reducing the number of spares needed when travelling. As far as the price goes, who knows? Once I got on Medicare the price became invisible to me with a Medigap plan.
I’ve been using the overtape that comes with the G7 sensor and have not had any problems with premature loosening or peeling. Just finished a month on Kauai, sweated a lot and cooled off in the salt water, no G7 problems at all.
Hi Allison - I usually keep the box flaps on my sensors that last 8 or 9 days in a Ziploc in my supply box and once I have accumulated 3 or 4, I will request a replacement on the latest failure. I feel that is fair and cuts down on the number of times I have to submit a replacement request. I used to do that frequently with G6 but have not had to do that much at all with the G7.
Put in a new one right away, and the wire was sticking up out of the hole on top. 
Sensor