More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and another 96 million have prediabetes, according to the CDC. Managing diabetes well requires frequent check-ins, lab monitoring, medication adjustments, and lifestyle coaching — the kind of ongoing care that can mean dozens of appointments per year. Telehealth has transformed this equation. The best telehealth for diabetes platforms now offer continuous glucose monitor (CGM) integration, endocrinologist access, diabetes educator consultations, and prescription management from the convenience of home. For a condition that demands consistency, removing the friction of in-person visits makes a measurable difference in outcomes.
Whether you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, the right telehealth platform can help you stay on top of your numbers without reorganizing your life around clinic appointments. Our telehealth guide covers the basics of virtual care. Below, we compare five platforms that specialize in — or are well-suited for — diabetes management.
What to Look for in a Diabetes Telehealth Platform
Diabetes management is more complex than a one-time prescription refill. An effective telehealth platform for diabetes should offer:
- Access to endocrinologists or diabetes-specialized providers — not just general practitioners writing metformin prescriptions
- CGM integration — the ability to review continuous glucose data remotely is a game-changer for insulin adjustments
- Diabetes education — access to certified diabetes care and education specialists (CDCES) for lifestyle, nutrition, and self-management coaching
- Medication management — including insulin, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, and other diabetes-specific drugs
- Lab ordering and monitoring — A1C, fasting glucose, lipid panels, kidney function (eGFR, urine albumin)
- Insurance acceptance — diabetes care is expensive enough without paying cash on top of premiums
The American Diabetes Association supports telehealth as an effective delivery model for diabetes care, citing research showing comparable A1C improvements between virtual and in-person management.
Virta Health: Best for Type 2 Diabetes Reversal
Virta Health takes a distinctive approach to type 2 diabetes by focusing on nutritional ketosis as a strategy to reduce or eliminate the need for diabetes medications. The platform combines physician oversight with health coaching to help patients adopt a very-low-carbohydrate diet while carefully managing medication changes.
Pricing and Plans
Virta’s program costs approximately $249 per month without insurance. Some employers and health plans cover Virta as a covered benefit — check their website for current partners. The fee includes physician consultations, daily health coaching, biomarker tracking, and CGM integration. Medications prescribed by Virta providers are not included in the subscription and are filled through external pharmacies.
Pros and Cons
Virta’s clinical results are published in peer-reviewed journals: a two-year study showed 60% of participants reversed their type 2 diabetes (measured by A1C below 6.5% without medication or with metformin only). The intensive coaching model provides accountability that standard appointments lack. However, the very-low-carb approach isn’t for everyone — some patients find it difficult to sustain, and it requires close medical supervision, especially when adjusting insulin or sulfonylureas. Virta is not designed for type 1 diabetes.
Insurance Coverage
Virta partners with select employers and health plans to offer covered benefits. Individual insurance is not directly accepted, though some patients have successfully submitted for out-of-network reimbursement.
Teladoc (Livongo Integration): Best for Insurance-Covered CGM Programs
Teladoc acquired Livongo in 2020, creating a diabetes management platform that combines telehealth consultations with connected glucose monitoring, personalized coaching, and smart technology. The Livongo-powered diabetes program provides a connected blood glucose meter that automatically uploads readings and triggers coaching interventions when patterns shift.
Pricing and Plans
Teladoc’s diabetes management program is primarily offered as an employer or health plan benefit, meaning the cost to patients is often $0 or minimal if their employer participates. For individual Teladoc members without the diabetes benefit, standard telehealth visits for diabetes management cost $75 to $100 per visit. The Livongo-specific program includes unlimited glucose test strips, a connected meter, and health coaching.
Pros and Cons
The integration of connected devices with human coaching is the standout feature. When your meter uploads an out-of-range reading, a coach may proactively reach out rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment. The scale of Teladoc’s network also means broad provider availability. The limitation is access — if your employer or insurer doesn’t offer the Livongo program, the full diabetes management experience isn’t available through individual enrollment.
Insurance Coverage
The Livongo diabetes program is covered through many employer health plans and Medicare Advantage plans. Standard Teladoc telehealth visits are covered by most major insurers with a typical copay.
Steady Health: Best for Type 1 Diabetes and Insulin Management
Steady Health specializes in type 1 diabetes, filling a niche that most telehealth platforms overlook. The platform provides endocrinologist-led care with deep expertise in insulin pump management, CGM optimization, and the day-to-day complexities of living with type 1.
Pricing and Plans
Steady Health accepts many insurance plans, making it affordable for most patients. With insurance, visits typically cost a standard specialist copay. Without insurance, consultations run approximately $200 to $350. The platform focuses on clinical endocrinology care and coordinates with your existing pharmacy for prescriptions.
Pros and Cons
For type 1 diabetes patients, Steady Health offers a level of specialization that general telehealth platforms can’t match. Providers are experienced with insulin pumps from all major manufacturers, CGM troubleshooting, and the glycemic variability challenges unique to type 1. The primary limitation is geographic — Steady Health operates in select states, though it’s expanding. Type 2 diabetes patients may find broader options elsewhere.
Insurance Coverage
Steady Health accepts several major insurance plans including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Insurance verification is available on their website.
9amHealth: Best for Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Care
9amHealth offers a virtual diabetes clinic model that combines endocrinologist visits, medication management, lab ordering, CGM programs, and diabetes education in a single platform. The service is designed for type 2 diabetes patients who want specialist-level care delivered entirely through telehealth.
Pricing and Plans
9amHealth accepts insurance from select plans, with out-of-pocket costs at the standard specialist copay level for covered patients. For cash-pay patients, initial consultations are approximately $150 to $300, with follow-ups priced lower. CGM programs and add-on services have separate pricing. Medications are prescribed through the platform and filled at the patient’s pharmacy.
Pros and Cons
The all-in-one virtual clinic model appeals to patients who want their diabetes care centralized rather than fragmented across multiple providers. 9amHealth’s endocrinologists manage the full spectrum of type 2 diabetes pharmacotherapy, from metformin to GLP-1s to insulin. The downside is more limited insurance acceptance compared to established platforms like Teladoc, and availability may be restricted by state.
Insurance Coverage
9amHealth accepts insurance from a growing list of plans. Check their website for current coverage in your state.
Sesame: Best for Affordable One-Time Diabetes Consultations
Sesame operates as a healthcare marketplace where you book individual appointments at transparent prices — no subscription required. For diabetes patients who want an endocrinology consultation without committing to a platform, Sesame provides affordable access to specialists.
Pricing and Plans
Endocrinology consultations on Sesame typically cost $75 to $175 for a telehealth visit. There’s no subscription, enrollment fee, or ongoing commitment. Prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy of choice. We’ve covered Sesame’s platform in detail elsewhere.
Pros and Cons
Sesame’s strength is accessibility and simplicity. If you need a one-time consultation for a medication review, a second opinion on your diabetes management, or to establish care with an endocrinologist, Sesame delivers at a predictable price. The trade-off is the lack of integrated technology (no CGM platform, no connected coaching) — Sesame provides clinical visits, not a comprehensive diabetes management ecosystem.
Insurance Coverage
Sesame visits are cash-pay. However, prescriptions written by Sesame providers can be filled using your insurance pharmacy benefit.
What Telehealth Can and Cannot Do for Diabetes
While telehealth excels at many aspects of diabetes management, understanding its limitations helps set realistic expectations. Telehealth handles medication adjustments, lab result reviews, CGM data interpretation, lifestyle coaching, and prescription management very effectively. A1C improvements from telehealth-managed diabetes care are comparable to in-person care, according to research published in Diabetes Care.
However, certain aspects of diabetes care still require in-person interaction. Foot exams — critical for detecting diabetic neuropathy and preventing amputations — need hands-on assessment. Dilated eye exams for diabetic retinopathy require specialized equipment at an ophthalmologist’s office. Insulin pump insertion and training are best done in person. And if you’re experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity breath, confusion), that’s an emergency requiring immediate in-person care, not a telehealth appointment.
When to seek emergency care: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (especially type 1), severe hypoglycemia that doesn’t respond to glucose treatment, or blood sugar readings above 400 mg/dL with symptoms of dehydration or confusion.
The most effective diabetes management combines telehealth for routine care with periodic in-person visits for physical assessments that can’t be done remotely. Most endocrinologists recommend at least one comprehensive in-person visit annually, with telehealth filling the gaps between.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Diabetes Type
Your diabetes type and management goals should drive your platform choice:
- Type 1 diabetes: Steady Health offers the most specialized care, with endocrinologists experienced in pumps, CGMs, and the complexities of insulin-dependent management
- Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle-focused: Virta Health’s nutritional approach has strong clinical evidence for reducing medication dependence
- Type 2 diabetes, medication management: 9amHealth provides comprehensive virtual endocrinology with the full range of pharmacotherapy options
- Employer-sponsored diabetes program: Teladoc/Livongo offers the most integrated connected-device experience when available through your employer
- One-time consultation or second opinion: Sesame delivers affordable specialist access without commitment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can telehealth doctors prescribe insulin?
Yes. Licensed telehealth providers can prescribe insulin and all other diabetes medications including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy. For insulin dose adjustments, providers review your glucose data (from CGM or meter logs) during the telehealth visit.
Does insurance cover telehealth for diabetes?
Most insurance plans cover telehealth endocrinology and diabetes management visits at the same rate as in-person visits, with a standard specialist copay. Medicare covers telehealth for diabetes management, and many Medicare Advantage plans include enhanced diabetes programs. The ACA requires coverage for diabetes screening and prevention programs.
Can I use a CGM with a telehealth diabetes program?
Yes, and this combination is increasingly standard. Platforms like Virta, Steady Health, and Teladoc/Livongo integrate CGM data into their care model, allowing providers to review your glucose trends remotely and make informed adjustments. Your provider can prescribe a CGM (Dexcom, Libre, etc.) if clinically appropriate, and insurance covers CGMs for most insulin-dependent patients.
Is telehealth appropriate for newly diagnosed diabetes?
Telehealth can be appropriate for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, especially when combined with diabetes education and close follow-up. However, new-onset type 1 diabetes or diabetes presenting with very high blood sugars (DKA risk) typically requires in-person evaluation initially. Once stabilized, ongoing management can transition to telehealth effectively.
The Bottom Line
Telehealth has removed many of the barriers that make consistent diabetes management difficult — travel, time off work, appointment scarcity. The best telehealth for diabetes depends on your specific type, goals, and insurance situation. Virta Health leads for type 2 patients motivated to try a nutritional approach. Steady Health fills a critical niche for type 1 management. Teladoc/Livongo works best through employer benefits. And platforms like 9amHealth and Sesame provide flexible endocrinology access.
Whatever platform you choose, the most important metric is consistency. Diabetes management works when you’re in regular contact with your care team, reviewing data, and adjusting proactively — not just reacting to problems. Telehealth makes that frequency sustainable. Pick a platform, establish care, and commit to regular follow-ups. Your A1C will thank you.