Table 3.

Themes.

Theme	RT-CGM user		Non-RT-CGM user
	Codes	Representative quote	Codes	Representative quote
RT-CGM facilitates feelings of safety by preventing hypoglycemia	Warning of hypoglycemia Ability to be proactive in treating hypoglycemia	Wife has not had to use glucagon once since going on Dexcom! The ability to detect a drift toward hypoglycemia when I can treat it myself rather than waiting to a point where assistance from someone else is needed. The continuous glucose monitor allows a real time control of blood glucose that cannot be achieved with 3 or 4 fingersticks a day.	Not being aware of hypoglycemia Increased SMBG to avoid hypoglycemia	My ability to be aware of an impending hypoglycemic episode has become quite diminished and I usually can only know how low my blood sugar is by taking a blood sample from my finger. I am very concerned about not being timely aware of a hypoglycemic attack. I want to be alerted to dangerous high and low blood sugars and take steps to correct the problems.
RT-CGM improves well-being	Ability to avoid extreme glycemic variability Improved sleep and driving due to CGM alarming if glucose out of range CGM has and can save lives	[I’m] not worried now about losing my life in the night because of a low blood sugar. [I have] better control, [fewer] safety concerns, eg, driving, hypoglycemic unawareness, wife doesn’t have to worry. Really a positive game changer.	CGM would prevent avoidance of extreme glycemic variability CGM would prevent complications and injury related to hypoglycemia	[CGM] would help me treat a low or high before it became dangerous, [such as] when driving. I would not be falling and having seizures.
Access is a barrier to RT-CGM use	Medicare does not provide coverage The cost of CGM is not affordable without insurance	I do not understand why Medicare won’t pay for the CGM which is such a lifesaver, medical cost saver, and necessity for diabetics. I was about to start on Medicare and was concerned that it doesn’t cover supplies. I did not know if I could find a supplemental insurance that would help pay some of the cost.	Medicare does not provide coverage The cost of CGM is not affordable without insurance	I can’t believe how much money I would have to pay because Medicare won’t help. I do not have a CGM because I cannot afford the costs. I had one until my husband retired and we had to change to Medicare and Supplemental Insurance that does not cover CGM.