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Foreign. Hello, friends. Listen, before we get started, I think I should just say out of the gate. Dexcom is sundowning the G6. If you haven't heard about that, the Production of the G6 officially ends July 1, 2026, which is just about six weeks from today. When this episode drop supplies still trickle in, maybe through your pharmacy and distributors for a little while after that. But Dexcom is not guaranteeing availability past July 1st, and they're encouraging everyone still on the G6 to talk to their doctor about upgrading to G7 or G7 15 day before the cutoff. If you're a G6 user, and I know a lot of you still are, that means that in the next few weeks you want to be having a conversation with your endo or your prescriber about getting a new prescription written. The G7 is generally covered by the same insurance that covered your G6, but you've got to actually move on it. So don't wait until you're on your last sensor. Okay, now here's a few practical things. If you've been holding off on switching, the G7 doesn't restart off label the way the G6 did. If you've been getting extra days out of your G6 sensors, that's not a feature that carries over, so plan for that. The G7 is smaller, shorter warm up time, and the 15 day version is what Dexcom is now calling its baseline going forward. And the G6 Pro, the one used in clinics for blinded readings, is also being discontinued. There's no announced direct replacement for that one yet. So if you've been hearing about it from your endo, that's why. All right, now with that G6 housekeeping out of the way, here's why I'm actually making this episode. Earlier this week, Thursday, May 14, Dexcom held their investor day. Usually these events are for Wall Street. You know, they go over gross margins, cash flow conversions, they, you know, stuff like that. But this one had real product news in it, more than I expected. So I listened to their presentation and I went through the deck that they, that they, you know, made available on their website. You could go see it too. And I think I can go over a few things that really matter for you here. Make this kind of easy to understand. Quick disclosure before I go. Dexcom is a longtime Juice box podcast sponsor. This episode is not sponsored. I'm summarizing what Dexcom publicly presented to the world on Thursday and I'm going to tell you what I think of it. I'm also hoping to Get Jake Leach to come on and talk more about some of this stuff. So if Dexcom's listening, can we get Jake on here until then, G7 15 day. This is kind of where we are now. By the end of 2026, Dexcom expects roughly half of their US customer base to be on the 15 day platform. If you haven't switched yet, and a lot of you are switching Anyway because of G6 Sundowning, that's the wave you're joining in on. 15 Day is now live with all us Pump partners. So if you've been waiting on Tandem, Omnipod, any of them that's done. The integrations are in place. International rollout of 15 day starts in the back half of this year. They didn't break out specific country timing yet and the company said something I think is worth flagging out loud. 15 day wear is now their baseline. Everything they build going forward assumes that is the floor, which of course is a real shift in how the product line works. Now they talked about something called Smart Basil and Smart Bolas. So that's software because Dexcom announced two products that use CGM data to actually do something, not just show you a number. The first one they called Smart Basil. This is mostly a type 2 thing. When a doctor starts someone on basal insulin today, giving the dose dialed in usually takes. Getting the dose dialed in, excuse me, usually takes about 12 weeks. They do log reviews, dose tweaks, follow up visits, more tweaks. Dexcom is saying Smart Basil can shrink that down to under 30 days using personalized dosing recommendations driven by their CGM data. And this one isn't theoretical. Smart Basil actually got FDA clearance back in November of 2025 and it's rolling out alongside the G7 15 day. So it's a real product available now, not a roadmap item. If you're a type one listener, which I'm assuming most of you are, and you heard basal titration and then you tuned out. Just stick with me for a second because picture this. This process is happening millions of times a year across the country. Faster time to a working dose means less time being high during the figuring out period. That's a real health outcome. It's going to be good for people. The second one, of course, is Smart Bolus. This is going to be more interesting to you. Smart Bolus uses CGM trend data to inform the bolus calculation. The goal is fewer lows, fewer missed doses and less insulin stacking. It's described as under review, not currently available, but it is on the roadmap and Dexcom is being public about it. Here's why I think that one might matter. The trend, right, your blood sugar rising, falling, staying flat, whatever, is something a lot of you who listen to this already have in your head, right? You're doing it in your head pre bolusing when you're flat, hold off when you're falling, give a little more when you're ready, going up. That's pro tip stuff. But the truth is most people aren't doing that math. They're using a calculator that doesn't know what direction the glucose is moving. So if smart bolus works the way it's being described, it's the kind of feature that helps the person who isn't a power user. And that's a lot of people. So I'm happy about that. Now, the headline here, G8. This is what most of you probably want to hear about. Dexcom announced the G8. G8 is the next generation Dexcom sensor expected to launch in late 2027 or early 2028. So roughly two years from now, the headline feature is that G8 is self adapting. That's a quote. And what that actually means is this. Current CGMs, including G7 are calibrated in the factory. They go through a quality control, they get dialed in and then they're on you. That's it. Once the sensor is on your arm, it's doing its best with what it knew about itself at the moment it was made. G8 adjusts during wear, so updated electronics, new algorithm. The sensor itself adapts in real time over the days you're wearing it. Dexcom said this is technology and they've been developing for nearly two decades. They're claiming significant accuracy improvements over G7 and a reduction in those weird outlier readings. They're also saying G8 is 50% smaller than G7. That's going to be pretty tiny. And in the Q and a portion of the day, they confirmed two things that didn't make the slide deck. One, they expect to file G8 with FDA in 2027. That tracks with a late 2027 or early 2028 consumer launch. And two, ketone monitoring is planned to be part of the G8 platform. Not at launch, but it's on the roadmap. So let me say something about why that might matter. Dexcom did their own customer research and the top two things people want from a CGM are accuracy and reliability. No surprise. Above ease of use, even above customer support, even and above brand above everything People want accuracy and reliability. And the top two reasons people stop using a CGM are both about reliability. So if G8 delivers what they're describing, it's directly addressing the thing that this community has been asking for and the smaller form factor that matters more than people give it credit for. Pediatric use, lean people, athletes who are wearing the sensor on their arm smaller equals more wearable. It's two years out, but it's a thing to put on your radar. Now here's something interesting. Cgpm Glucose plus potassium. Pay attention to this. This next one is. I don't know, you're going to think it doesn't apply to you, but I still think it's worth listening to. Dexcom announced a sensor called cgpm. Continuous glucose and potassium monitoring. One sensor, two analytes at the same time continuously. But why potassium? Well, for people with type 2 diabetes, about a third also have chronic kidney disease, about a third have cardiovascular disease. And in those populations, potassium imbalances are a big deal. They correlate with higher ICU admissions, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality. Dexcom's Data says roughly 20% of annual costs for someone with type 2 plus kidney disease are tied to potassium problems. It's interesting, right? So a sensor that watches both glucose and potassium in real time could change how those patients are managed entirely. And here's why I'm telling you the type 1 diabetes listeners. Kidney disease is a long tail risk that anyone with diabetes can develop. Anyone can develop it, but you know, it's prevalent with some people with type one. And I'm not trying to scare you or anything, but most of you are not going to develop kidney disease. But a sensor that monitors potassium continuously could end up mattering to a lot more people than you think today. Dexcom didn't give a CGPM timeline. They put it on their what's next? And I want to read you a note that I got from a listener. It says, hey, just so you know, my adrenaline and potassium related paralysis groups are over the top excited about the potassium monitoring element of G8 and they are just grateful that it's progressed enough to be talked about and published for investors. This is a tech and data that's never been available to us in real time and, and will be so incredibly helpful. Waiting two years isn't even phasing anyone in these groups, she says. Thought it might be nice for you to hear that. I'm sure Dexcom may not have even contemplated how far beyond CKD, CVD and even DKA. This element of G8 might reach, but it's going to be incredibly impactful on a growing number of people. Isn't that something? That's something you don't know about? I don't even know about, but one of our great listeners was nice enough to reach out and tell me about. Okay, let's move a little quickly through the rest of this. There's a lot of stuff divulged by Dexcom. I want to make sure you hear it all. Dexcom Flex, a new sensor specifically for type 2 diabetes. Both basal only insulin users and non insulin users. Launching soon in Germany. International only for now. This is part of Dexcom's tiering their product line so different sensors fit different markets and reimbursement environments. Stelo is going international. Stella will be all over the. Let's see, what do they got here? Stella is the over the counter biosensor, no prescription required, aimed at wellness users and people with type 2 not on insulin. It's launching in Australia, the UK, South Korea and New Zealand in late 2026, early 2027. I love this one. Dexcom Hospital CGM system. You might remember this conversation started up around Covid, but they're planning to launch an inpatient hospital product by the end of 2027. And if you've ever had to fight to keep a CGM on or like your kid or yourself after you've been admitted with DKA or something else in the hospital, you know exactly why this matters. There are roughly 14 million dysglycemic events a year in hospitals. This could really go a long way to helping that. If you don't remember. Around Covid there was a special I don't think they they were allowing people who needed their blood sugar monitored to wear CGMs in hospitals so that nurses and staff could monitor their blood sugar without going into the room. I think this is where that all got started. It's great to see that it's turning into something. We also have direct EHR integration. More than 320 health systems are now live or onboarding with Dexcom's direct integration into electronic health records. So in plain English, your CGM data shows up in your endos chart right alongside your labs without your endo logging into a separate platform. That's a slow burn quality of life improvement for sure. That's going to pay off over the years. Last bit, then I'll wrap up. Dexcom is expecting cms, which is of course Medicare, to expand CGM coverage to all people with type 2 diabetes, including those not on insulin, by mid-2027. They expect a CMS proposal at the end of 2026 and final coverage by mid-2027. That single change would roughly double Dexcom's US covered lives from about 15 million today to about 30 million in 2027. Now why am I telling you this? I think honestly it's because that same Dexcom company that's developing G8 and CGPM and hospital products is going to be a meaningfully bigger company a year from now, which hopefully will give them more resources to put into things that you and I are actually using. So what do you think? I think this was a real investor day. Actual products with real names on dates that aren't 10 years out. G8 is roughly two years away. Smart Basil already has data behind it. CGPM is further out, but it's the most interesting bet on the board. The thing I keep coming back to is, Dexcom said, and I'm paraphrasing here, they want to to be the premier glucose sensing solution for everyone. And they paired that with a roadmap of specific products for a community that has spent a decade waiting on things. And that's worth noticing. If you have questions about any of these products, send them my way. I'll do my best. You can reach out on Facebook. We can start conversations with other people. There's a contact form@juiceboxpodcast.com I read everything you guys send, but don't forget, if you're still on G6, please talk to your doctor now. July 1st is six weeks out and you don't want to be the person who's figuring this out when you're on your last sensor. Thanks so much for listening. I'll see you next time on the Juice Box Podcast. Nothing you hear on the Juice Box Podcast should be considered advice, medical or otherwise. Always consult a physician before making any changes to your healthcare plan. If you'd like to hear a little bit about the Pro Tip series or other offerings on the website, hang out. And if not, you're finished. But there'll be another episode tomorrow and five more this week, and five next week, and so on and so on. The Juice Box podcast has over 18,000 episodes and has been in production continuously since January of 2007. Check us out in your favorite audio app. Follow subscribe if you're not already. And don't miss the private Facebook group. If you'd like to hear about diabetes management in easy to take in bits, check out the Small Sips. That's the series on the Juice Box Podcast that listeners are talking about like it's a cheat code. These are perfect little bursts of clarity. One person said I finally understood things I've heard a hundred times. Short, simple and somehow exactly what I needed. People say Small Sips feels like someone pulling up a chair, sliding a cup across the table and giving you one clean idea at a time. Nothing overwhelming, no fire hose of information, just steady, helpful nudges that actually stick. People listen in their car, on walks or well, they're actually bolusing anytime that they need a quick shot of perspective. And the reviews, they all say the same thing. Small Sips makes diabetes make sense. Search for the Juice Box Podcast Small Sips wherever you get audio and if you'd like to refer back to this episode, go to juiceboxpodcast.com, find the episode page for this episode or in my blog we have a whole breakdown of Dex company announcements. Just scroll to the bottom and look for the blood.
Host: Scott Benner
Date: May 16, 2026
This episode is an in-depth, plain-language breakdown of major updates from Dexcom, the leader in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology. Scott Benner discusses the “sundowning” (discontinuation) of the Dexcom G6, the transition to the G7 15-day sensor, and previews the upcoming Dexcom G8 and other future innovations. The episode is rooted in Dexcom’s recent May 14 investor day but tailored for everyday listeners, especially those managing type 1 diabetes. Key points include actionable next steps for users, the significance of technology advances, and implications for the diabetes community.
[00:00–03:10]
Quote:
“If you've been getting extra days out of your G6 sensors, that's not a feature that carries over [to G7], so plan for that.” — Scott [01:41]
[03:10–06:25]
Quote:
“15-day wear is now their baseline. Everything they build going forward assumes that is the floor, which of course is a real shift in how the product line works.” — Scott [05:17]
[06:25–10:10]
Quote:
“The truth is most people aren’t doing that math...if Smart Bolus works the way it’s being described, it’s the kind of feature that helps the person who isn’t a power user. And that’s a lot of people. So I’m happy about that.” — Scott [09:30]
[10:10–15:07]
Quote:
“The headline feature is that G8 is self-adapting. That’s a quote. And what that actually means is… G8 adjusts during wear, so updated electronics, new algorithm. The sensor itself adapts in real time over the days you’re wearing it.” — Scott [11:53]
[15:07–19:40]
Quote:
“This is a tech and data that’s never been available to us in real time and will be so incredibly helpful. Waiting two years isn’t even phasing anyone…It’s going to be incredibly impactful on a growing number of people.” — Listener paraphrased by Scott [18:08]
[19:40–26:00]
Quote:
“If you’ve ever had to fight to keep a CGM on…after you’ve been admitted with DKA or something else in the hospital, you know exactly why this matters.” — Scott [22:00]
On G6 Sunset:
“Please talk to your doctor now. July 1st is six weeks out, and you don’t want to be the person who’s figuring this out when you’re on your last sensor.” — Scott [29:38]
On Dexcom’s Vision:
“They want to be the premier glucose sensing solution for everyone. And they paired that with a roadmap of specific products for a community that has spent a decade waiting on things. And that’s worth noticing.” — Scott [27:36]
On Next Steps for Listeners:
“What do you think? I think this was a real investor day. Actual products with real names on dates that aren’t 10 years out.” — Scott [27:03]
Scott underscores Dexcom's progress—from actionable short-term changes (G6 to G7, smarter insulin titration) to long-term innovation (G8, CGPM). His recurring theme is that real, meaningful new products—not vague promises—are now visible on the horizon.
Action for Listeners:
If you’re still on G6, contact your healthcare provider immediately. For anyone interested in new Dexcom tech, stay tuned to Juicebox Podcast and reach out for community Q&A.
For more info, visit: juiceboxpodcast.com
Connect with the community: Private Facebook group; contact form on site
“Thanks so much for listening. I’ll see you next time on the Juice Box Podcast.”