Dexcom FAQ

Yes, but make sure not to go through the body scanners. You can go through metal detectors, be hand-wanded and even keep your receiver on during your flight.

No. Dexcom sensors are designed to last for a maximum of 10 days, after which time you will be required to insert a new sensor.

Yes, and Performance Home Medical will also send you an invitation to register for Dexcom Clarity. If you already have an existing Dexcom Clarity account, you will not need to create a new one and just need to accept the invite.

To download the app open your app store and search for Dexcom Clarity, or

• Android users, click here.
• iPhone users, click here.

Up to 10 designated persons (followers) can download the Dexcom Follow app and will be able to remotely monitor your glucose data.

Click here to download the Dexcom Follow app.

You have the flexibility to use only the Dexcom G6 app, only the Dexcom receiver, or both at the same time.

For Medicare customers: Medicare does not cover Dexcom G6 CGM supplies that are used only with a smartphone or other mobile device. Medicare criteria also apply. Some examples of how a Medicare patient may use a smart device with their Dexcom receiver:

1. Uses both the receiver and a smartphone throughout the day.
2. Uses the receiver some days of the week and their smartphone other days of the week.

No. If you entered the unique G6 sensor code during setup, there’s no need to calibrate.

The sensors will not always show the same value as a finger stick as it is measuring the interstitial glucose rather than the blood glucose. But the two values are typically within 9% of each other:

Dexcom vs. Abbott FreeStyle Libre: CGM Function, Accuracy, and Cost (healthline.com)

The Urgent Low Soon alert can warn users in advance of a severe hypoglycemic event. The alert will notify you within 20 minutes of a reading of 55 mg/dL or lower. This notification gives you time to take appropriate action before a low event occurs.

The Fall Rate notifies you when your glucose level is falling 2 or 3 mg/dL each minute.

Your sensor should last for 10 days.

Contact Dexcom Support Team if your sensor falls off early at 1-844-607-8398, 24 hours a day; 7 days a week.

To improve your call experience please have the following available upon calling:

• Dexcom transmitter serial number, and
• Dexcom Sensor LOT number, and
• Dates of insertion for sensors, and/or
• Dates of activation for transmitters.

The transmitter battery is good for 3 months.

• Starting at 3 weeks before the end of its battery life, you will get warnings that count down the transmitter battery life until you have 10 days remaining.
• If you haven’t received your final 10-day transmitter battery life warning, you can reuse the transmitter for your next sensor session.
• If the transmitter battery has less than 10 days remaining, you won’t be able to start a new sensor session and will see “Pair New Transmitter.”

Yes, for glucose values less than 100 mg/dL, the CGM value should be within 15 mg/dL of the blood glucose meter number. For glucose values greater than 100 mg/dL, the CGM value should be within 15% of the meter value.

After following the manufacturer's guidelines and inserting your sensor, we recommend:

• Trying medical grade bandages/tapes or waterproof adhesive overlay patches.
• Medical-grade bandages/tape can be applied.
• Do not remove bandages/tape once applied until the sensor is ready for removal.
• If your skin has higher oil/moisture content, consider putting on the over-patch or medical tape immediately after inserting the sensor.
• Add extra adhesive, such as SkinTac. Put the additional adhesive under the patch (on your skin), avoiding the spot where the needle inserts. Make sure to let dry before attaching the sensor.
• Dexcom will also allow customers one pack of adhesives 10, every 30 days, per address.

Your inserted sensor will no longer give CGM values, remove the failed sensor. Insert a new sensor and contact Dexcom’s Technical Support 24/7 at 1-844-607-8398.

You should first ensure that your sensor was correctly inserted:

1. Make sure the previous sensor session ended or if the system still trying to connect with a previous sensor.
2. Make sure the transmitter’s serial number is correctly entered into the receiver or smart device.
3. Make sure the transmitter is not beyond the 90-day activation period.
4. Make sure the transmitter is snapped in correctly and the tab is seated under the plastic lip in the slot.
5. Make sure the sensor site isn’t bleeding when inserted.

Wait up to 3 hours while the system fixes itself. If not corrected after 3 hours, you’ll see “Sensor Failed”. Contact Dexcom’s Technical Support 24/7 at 1-844-607-8398.

Don’t ignore broken or detached sensor wires. A sensor wire could remain under your skin. If this happens, please contact Dexcom’s Technical Support 24/7 at 1-844-607-8398.

It indicates the direction your glucose is going:

Ensure that your Dexcom G6 transmitter is paired correctly and that your previous sensor session has ended.

Without your sensor code, you’ll need to calibrate twice after your 2-hour sensor warmup is complete, a third time 12 hours later, a fourth time 12 hours after that, and then once every 24 hours.

A sensor code allows you to use the Dexcom G6 CGM system without the need for fingersticks or calibrations.

When you start a new sensor, you must enter a code into your display device (and pump, if you’re using an insulin pump), as each sensor has its own code printed on the back of the adhesive patch. Make sure to follow on-screen prompts step by step.

Your Dexcom CGM should be placed on the abdomen. As an alternative site, patients aged 2 to 17 can wear sensors on the upper buttocks.

Choose a site:

1. At least 3 inches from any insulin pump infusion or injection set.
2. Away from waistbands, stretch marks, scarring, tattoos, irritation and bones.
3. Unlikely to be bumped, pushed or laid on while sleeping.

CGM therapy systems can be used with or without an insulin pump.

Current CGM/Pump Compatibility by Pump Manufacturer as of 2/8/2023:

During a sensor session, your Dexcom G6 may detect that the sensor can no longer determine your glucose readings. At this time, the sensor session will end and your receiver or compatible smart device will display “Sensor Failed”. You will now need to replace the sensor.

To prevent sensor failures:

1. Make sure your transmitter is snapped into the holder of the sensor.
2. Choose a sensor placement site that is:
   1. At least 3” from the insulin pump infusion set or injection site.
   2. Away from the waistband, scarring, tattoos, irritation, and bones.
   3. Unlikely to be bumped, pushed or laid on while sleeping.
3. Clean the insertion site with alcohol.
4. Check the expiration date on the sensor. Don’t use it if expired.
5. Check use-by date on the transmitter box. Start using the transmitter before that date.

Dexcom G6 transmitters are under a limited warranty for the first 90 days from activation, provided that activation was within 5 months of the shipping date. You can find your transmitter activated date in the settings screen on your display device.