Military Members, Families And Retirees Get Simplified Access To Abbott’s Freestyle® Libre 2 System Through Tricare®

Abbott announced today that its FreeStyle® Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system (CGM) is now available as a brand-name formulary pharmacy benefit to military members, their families and retirees with TRICARE® health coverage. This will make it easier for TRICARE members to access industry-leading monitoring technology¹ to manage their diabetes.

Previously, FreeStyle Libre 2 was only available to TRICARE members by a prescription fulfilled through durable medical equipment companies. Under that model, co-pay amounts could vary depending on the plan. Now, members with diabetes can get their CGM supplies through military treatment facilities at zero copayment, the TRICARE retail pharmacy network at a $38 copayment per 30-day supply, or through home delivery at a copayment of $34 per 90-day supply.^2,3 The simplified access will begin by mid-April 2022.* 

“We built FreeStyle Libre portfolio with access, affordability and ease of use in mind from the very beginning to make it broadly available to people with diabetes,” said Badia Boudaiffa, divisional vice president, U.S. commercial operations for Abbott’s diabetes care business. “We're excited that this technology can now be more simply obtained by TRICARE members through their pharmacy benefit.”

Before the development of continuous glucose monitors, people with diabetes relied on finger sticks throughout the day to measure their blood glucose levels.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 system automatically tracks your glucose levels day and night using a small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm and an app⁴ or reader⁵ that lets you check your glucose⁶ levels with a painless^7,8,9 scan at any time.¹⁰

The FreeStyle Libre family of products are the world's most affordable11 and most widely used continuous glucose monitor, with nearly four million users globally.¹²

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre 2 system: Failure to use FreeStyle Libre 2 system as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or FreeStyleLibre.us for safety info.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

*Prior Authorization is required for dispensing. Please see your provider for more information.

References

1. Based on the number of users worldwide for FreeStyle Libre family of personal CGMs compared to the number of users for other leading personal CGM brands and based on CGM sales dollars compared to other leading personal CGM brands. Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care
2. Active duty service members have a $0 copay for covered drugs at any pharmacy.
3. For all beneficiaries except active duty service members, select brand-name maintenance medications (taken for long-term conditions) may only be filled twice at retail then must be filled via home delivery or military pharmacy. See tricare.mil/coveredservices/pharmacy for more information.
4. The FreeStyle Libre 2 app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our compatibility guide for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of the FreeStyle Libre 2 app requires registration with LibreView.
5. The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see the Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations.
6. Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.
7. Data from this study was collected with the outside US version of the FreeStyle Libre 14 day system. FreeStyle Libre 2 has the same features as FreeStyle Libre 14 day system with optional real-time glucose alarms. Therefore, the study data is applicable to both products.
8. Al Hayek, Ayman A., Robert A. Asirvatham, and Mohamed A. Al Dawish. “Acceptability of the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System: The Experience of Young Patients With Type 1 Diabetes.” Clinical Medical Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes 13 (March 2020): 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179551420910122.
9. Haak, Thomas, et al. "Flash Glucose-Sensing Technology as a Replacement for Blood Glucose Monitoring for the Management of Insulin-treated Type 2 Diabetes: a Multicentre, Open-label Randomised Controlled Trial." Diabetes Therapy 8, no. 1 (February 2017): 55-73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6.
10. Fingersticks are required if your glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol during the first 12 hours.
11. Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre portfolio compared to the number of users for other leading personal use, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems.
12. Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care.

SOURCE: Abbott