HealthPartners will soon begin enrolling members in a new quality improvement program designed to expand access to continuous glucose monitor (CGM) technology and provide personalized support for people living with insulin-requiring diabetes.

The program aims to develop a more accessible and sustainable model for CGM care by pairing technology with support from community-based Medication Therapy Management (MTM) pharmacists. Enrollment is expected to begin Nov. 1, 2026, with a goal of reaching approximately 500 members living with type 1 diabetes or insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.

CGMs are small, wearable devices that continuously measure glucose levels throughout the day and night, providing real-time information about glucose trends and patterns. Unlike traditional finger-stick testing, CGMs can help people better understand how factors such as food, activity and medications affect their glucose levels. Research shows CGM use can improve outcomes for people living with diabetes, including helping reduce complications and diabetes-related hospitalizations. However, cost, access, technology support and uncertainty about how to interpret CGM data can create barriers for many people.

“Diabetes technology keeps advancing, and CGMs are a great example of that,” said Ginger Kakacek, MD, chief medical officer, HealthPartners health plan. “But access to the technology and ongoing support for patients, particularly those in rural communities, hasn’t always kept up.”

To help address these barriers, HealthPartners will partner with its contracted MTM pharmacist network to provide members with ongoing education and support in their local communities. Pharmacists will help members start using CGMs, troubleshoot challenges, understand their glucose data and connect patterns to everyday health decisions.

Over the next two years, HealthPartners will evaluate if this model supports CGM use, reduces disparities, improves diabetes management and improves member engagement. The program will track measures including CGM adoption, glucose-related outcomes and diabetes care indicators to better understand what approaches can help more people benefit from this technology.

“This effort reflects our commitment to using innovation with intention, combining technology, community partnerships and personalized support to improve health outcomes,” Dr. Kakacek said.

As part of the quality improvement initiative, HealthPartners Institute’s International Diabetes Center (IDC) is providing clinical and operational leadership through creation of evidence-based CGM management guidance and educational resources for type 1 and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, development of pharmacist training modules, and dissemination of project findings. IDC is also serving as a clinical expert and partner in pilot implementation and evaluation.

HealthPartners health plan and MTM Pharmacy Services teams are leading engagement with contracted community-based MTM pharmacists, building the community pharmacy network, identifying eligible members, supporting pharmacist recruitment and training, and conducting member and pharmacist outreach efforts to expand CGM access and improve diabetes management in underserved communities across Minnesota.

The program is supported through a $4.2 million grant to the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The grant is being shared among four ACHP member health plans. The funding will support program development, staffing, supplies and implementation costs. Additional support from CGM manufacturers Dexcom and Abbott will help remove cost barriers for participating members.

About HealthPartners

HealthPartners is a nonprofit organization with a mission of improving health and well-being in partnership with its members, patients and community. An integrated system of care and coverage since its founding in 1957, HealthPartners operates hospitals and clinics, health plans, and a research and education institute. The Minneapolis-based organization serves more than 1.4 million patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin and 1.6 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.

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