Livongo (Teladoc Health): Smart Connected Diabetes Program With Coaching

Livongo, now part of Teladoc Health, is a connected diabetes management program that goes beyond a standard glucose meter. When you enroll in Livongo, you receive a cellular-enabled blood glucose meter that automatically uploads your readings to the cloud every time you test — no Bluetooth pairing, no manual entry. The readings appear instantly in the Livongo app on your phone and are reviewed by the program's health coaches and clinical team.

One of the biggest barriers people with diabetes face is the cost of test strips. Livongo addresses this directly: enrolled members receive unlimited test strips and lancets shipped to their home at no additional charge. For people who test frequently or have limited income, this can represent significant savings and removes a common reason people test less often than their doctor recommends.

The real heart of the Livongo program is the coaching and support. When your blood glucose reading is outside your personal target range, the meter itself displays a personalized message with a suggested action — for example, "Your number is low. Consider eating 15 grams of fast carbs and re-checking in 15 minutes." A team of certified diabetes educators can also reach out to you by phone if your readings show a concerning pattern.

The Livongo app shows your glucose history in clear charts, identifies your time-in-range percentage, and tracks patterns around meals, exercise, and sleep. You can share a detailed report with your endocrinologist or primary care doctor before appointments.

Livongo is typically offered as a free benefit through many employer health plans and some Medicare Advantage plans. The program has published research showing it leads to meaningful improvements in A1C levels (a long-term blood sugar measure) and reductions in emergency room visits among participants.