The FreeStyle Libre 2 system: Frequently asked questions

As of November 30, 2021, the FreeStyle Libre 2 system is reimbursed by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program for qualifying Ontario residents who manage their diabetes with insulin.  

The coverage will include the FreeStyle Libre 2 system sensors.

If you qualify for ODB and you manage your diabetes with insulin, you are eligible for public reimbursement of the FreeStyle Libre 2 system. Please speak with your healthcare professional (including your pharmacist) to determine if the FreeStyle Libre 2 system is right for you.  

More information about who is covered by the ODB program is available on the Ontario Drug Benefit website.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is now reimbursed under the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)^††† prescription drug insurance plan for the following people in Quebec:

• Those under the age of 18 and living with type 1 diabetes
  
• Those over the age of 18, living with diabetes and who meet the following criteria:
  • On intensive insulin therapy (insulin pump treatment or ≥3 insulin injections per day)
  • Frequent hypoglycemic events during the last year, despite adherence to a blood sugar management plan

See the RAMQ Continuous and Flash Glucose Monitoring criteria here.
Get a RAMQ Continuous and Flash Glucose Monitoring request form here.

The coverage will include the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system sensor, which can be paired up with the free FreeStyle Libre 2 app.^¶

As of August 17, 2022, the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is now reimbursed under Quebec’s prescription drug insurance plan for the following people in Quebec:

• Those under the age of 18 and living with type 1 diabetes
  
• Those over the age of 18, living with diabetes and who meet the following criteria:
  
  • On intensive insulin therapy (insulin pump treatment or ≥3 insulin injections per day)
    
  • Frequent hypoglycemic events during the last year, despite adherence to a blood sugar management plan
    
    

Please visit the RAMQ website for more information.

As of June 1, 2021, the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is covered under the Saskatchewan government-sponsored drug plan for those between the ages of 4 and 17 who manage their diabetes with insulin or have hyperinsulinism.  

The coverage will include both the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system sensors and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader.

As of June 1, 2021, the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is covered under the Saskatchewan government-sponsored drug plan for those between the ages of 4 and 17 who manage their diabetes with insulin or have hyperinsulinism.  

Please visit the Saskatchewan Drug Plan website for more information.

FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors are reimbursed under the Manitoba Pharmacare Program for individuals 25 years old and younger who meet eligibility criteria (PDF 488 KB). Eligibility criteria are as follows:

Initial criteria:
For patients with type 1 diabetes who are 25 years of age or under and meet ALL of the following criteria:

1. Patient is either:
   • Currently approved for the Manitoba Pediatric Insulin Pump Program (MPIP) administered by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) through the Child Health Program’s Diabetes Education Resource for Children and Adolescents (DER-CA); OR
   • On both basal AND bolus insulin.
2. Under the care and management of a Manitoba endocrinologist, diabetes specialist, or metabolic physician, and has routine follow-up with their diabetes care team;
3. Patient and/or caregiver demonstrates the capacity to use the CGM/FGM appropriately;
4. Patient and/or caregiver demonstrates a reasonable understanding of what the CGM/FGM can do and how it can benefit their care;
5. Patient and/or caregiver affirms a willingness to use the CGM/FGM properly and to use the data from this technology to make safe and effective diabetes management decisions.
   
   • Initial Approval Duration: one year

Renewal criteria:
Coverage may be continued if ALL of the following are met:

1. Patient remains 25 years of age or under;
2. Patient remains under the care and management of an endocrinologist, diabetes specialist, or metabolic physician, and has routine follow-up with their diabetes care team;
3. Patient and/or caregiver continues to demonstrate the capacity to use the CGM/FGM appropriately;
4. Patient and/or caregiver continues to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of what the CGM/FGM can do and how it can benefit their care;
5. Patient and/or caregiver continues to affirm a willingness to use the CGM/FGM properly and to use the data from this technology to make safe and effective diabetes management decisions.

Note: Coverage may also be discontinued upon notification from the care provider that the CGM/FGM criteria is no longer met by the patient.

• Renewal Approval Duration: one year  

The Manitoba Pharmacare Program will cover the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors. Eligible Manitobans will be required to pay out-of-pocket for Freestyle Libre 2 sensors until their Pharmacare deductible has been met for the year, as they do for blood glucose test strips coverage.

The Manitoba Pharmacare Program will cover the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors. For eligible Manitobans who do not have a compatible mobile phone and require a FreeStyle Libre 2 reader, please contact Abbott Customer Care at 1-800-461-8481 (Monday-Friday:  8 AM-9 PM EST, Saturday: 9 AM-5 PM EST, Sunday: 9 AM-2 PM EST).  

Coverage under the Manitoba Pharmacare Program became effective September 28, 2021.  

Please visit the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary website. See Pharmacare Information for Health Professionals | Health and Seniors Care | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca) for more information.

FreeStyle Libre 2 Sensors are reimbursed under the Manitoba Pharmacare Program for individuals 25 years old and younger who meet eligibility criteria (PDF 488 KB).

If you are currently using FreeStyle Libre, please speak to your healthcare professional for more information on the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system.  

A1C is a measurement of your average glucose levels over the past three months. It’s used by healthcare professionals to measure how well your diabetes is being managed and is given as a percentage. The goal for most people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is an A1C below 7%.^2-4  

The FreeStyle Libre 2 system can give you actionable insights into your glucose trends and patterns. For example, it allows you to see how certain lifestyle factors, like food or exercise, are impacting your glucose levels. The actions you take based on these insights can help you better manage your diabetes and lower your A1C.