Monitors Lower Blood Sugar in Type 2 Adults
A New England Journal of Medicine study found continuous glucose monitors helped adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Diabetes
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Should health insurers cover continuous glucose monitors for people with type 2 diabetes who don't use insulin?
A study published October 14, 2026, in the New England Journal of Medicine found continuous glucose monitors benefit adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. Among 283 participants followed for six months, A1c levels in the monitor group dropped from 8.8% to 7.2%.
Why it matters
The findings extend evidence for continuous glucose monitors beyond insulin users, a group that has had more limited access to the technology. The results may inform how insurers and clinicians approach monitoring for millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes.
The randomized trial of 283 adults compared A1c reductions of 8.8% to 7.2% in the monitor group against 8.7% to 8.0% in routine care over six months. Whether these gains hold beyond the six-month window has not been reported.
The players
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is a leading U.S. nonprofit that sets clinical guidelines and advocates for people with diabetes.
New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine is one of the world's most prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals, publishing major clinical research.
The details
Participants were randomly assigned to continuous glucose monitors or routine care, and none were using insulin, though most took other diabetes medications. The small wearable sensor, worn on the arm or belly, measures sugar in fluid just under the skin and wirelessly sends results to a smartphone or other device, giving real-time feedback on how meals, activity, and medications affect blood sugar.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
2026: American Diabetes Association guidelines already recommend monitors for type 2 patients not using insulin.
Six months: Length of the study follow-up period.
Health Landscape
The study provides randomized evidence supporting the American Diabetes Association's 2026 guideline recommending continuous glucose monitors for type 2 patients not using insulin. It moves that recommendation from expert consensus toward trial-backed practice in a population of roughly 20 million U.S. adults.
Adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin may ask their clinicians whether a continuous glucose monitor fits their treatment plan. Insurance coverage for these devices may change as payers review the new trial findings.
The takeaway
Continuous glucose monitors may offer useful feedback for non-insulin type 2 patients, but patients should discuss with their clinician whether one suits their care. Tracking how daily habits affect blood sugar can help guide everyday decisions.
Further reading
Explore more in Diabetes coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Harvard Health.
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Should health insurers cover continuous glucose monitors for people with type 2 diabetes who don't use insulin?
