San Diego’s Dexcom began sales this week of Stelo, the industry’s first FDA-approved continuous glucose monitor that doesn’t require a prescription. With a two-pack of the biosensor costing just under $100 per month, the local company aims to tap a new market of users and increase access to this technology.

Now, people without health insurance coverage for such devices have the option to buy Stelo directly from Dexcom’s website. The device is geared toward adults 18 years and older with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin and who do not have problematic hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. The device can be worn for up to 15 days before needing to be replaced.

A one-off purchase of a single pack with two sensors — which lasts 30 days — costs $99. There’s also a monthly subscription option, which costs $89 for two sensors to be delivered every 30 days. The device is eligible to be purchased using funds from a Flexible Spending Account or a Health Savings Account.

Stelo — which was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use in March — is a wearable device that fits in the palm of your hand. It is worn on the back of the user’s upper arm to track blood glucose levels — no finger prick required. Stelo connects to a smartphone application as it constantly measures, records and analyzes the user’s glucose levels and then presents those results in the app every 15 minutes.

For more than two decades, Dexcom has been a pioneer of the technology that helps patients manage diabetes via continuous glucose monitors. Now, the company hopes to reach people who don’t have health insurance coverage for this kind of device, people who don’t take insulin and those with prediabetes who simply want to track their blood glucose levels.

“With the launch of Stelo, we’re defining a brand-new category and once again setting the gold standard for people to easily take control of their health,” said Jake Leach, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Dexcom. “Now, millions more have access to 24/7, easy-to-understand glucose insights that can inform their daily lifestyle choices and support behavior modification.”

Dexcom said the use of its continuous glucose monitors on its own or alongside other diabetes or weight management tools can help people understand how different foods or activities affect their glucose levels.

When Dexcom announced the rollout of Stelo earlier this summer, industry analysts noted the opportunity to tap a growing market of users beyond diabetes patients. Part of this untapped group could be a result of more awareness of metabolic health and disorders as well as the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

“Dexcom glucose biosensors are an essential and proven tool for diabetes management — driving strong clinical outcomes regardless of medication use and even potentially slowing the progression of diabetes,” said Thomas Grace, MD, head of clinical advocacy and outcomes at Dexcom. “In a world where GLP-1 use is becoming increasingly more common, glucose biosensors like Stelo can help make those medications more effective.”