Dexcom, UnitedHealth team up for wearable glucose management pilot program

Updated Jan. 17 to include confirmation of Fitbit’s participation.

UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) and Dexcom (NSDQ:DXCM) are joining forces to launch an individualized glucose management pilot program to help people with Type II diabetes manage their condition in real-time using wearable tech.

People using UnitedHealth’s Medicare Advantage plan are eligible to use Dexcom’s mobile continuous glucose monitoring system to track their blood sugar levels. Participating in the program also gives people access to personalized diabetes coaching and an activity tracker, the companies reported this week.

“With more than 27 million people nationwide living with Type II diabetes there is urgent need to address this epidemic in new ways,” Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, said in prepared remarks.

“Continuous glucose monitoring can be a game changer for people enrolled in our Medicare Advantage plans, as the data can be translated into personalized information that can be acted upon in real time.”

“Dexcom is thrilled to work with UnitedHealthcare to bring this program to people living with diabetes,” Steve Pacelli, Dexcom’s EVP of strategy and corporate development, added. “The insights that CGM and this program provide can drive significant value to both patients and care providers in helping to better manage diabetes.”

The pilot was showcased this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Reporting from the conference, The Verge’s senior technology editor Lauren Goode wrote on Twitter that Dexcom and UnitedHealth are working with Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) as part of the program.

A spokesperson for Fitbit confirmed the company’s involvement in the pilot program, writing in an email that “participation in the program demonstrates Fitbit’s commitment to providing new tools and insights to support the diabetes community, which is an important area of focus for the company and one where we believe there is an opportunity to help drive better health outcomes.”

Dexcom and Fitbit have an existing partnership to incorporate Dexcom’s CGM tech into Fitbit’s latest smartwatch, the Fitbit Ionic.

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