ABT · Earnings call · 2026Q3T · Full report

Healthcare Coverage Policy

ABBOTT LABORATORIES · 2026-10-21 · Importance 20 · Surprise 24 · In source text

Abbott said it is not forecasting when CMS reimbursement may begin for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use by non-insulin-using type 2 diabetes patients, and is not factoring that reimbursement into its next-year forecast. Management cited clinical evidence and support during the open comment period, but said timing remains uncertain. Abbott has been investing in primary care, which it views as a different channel from diabetes endocrinology clinics, to prepare for a potential reimbursement-driven acceleration.

Key facts

• A significant U.S. payer formulary coverage change in Abbott’s favor is expected to take effect January 1.
• Abbott said CMS reimbursement for Cologuard Plus is being discussed, and management finds it very hard to imagine that the reimbursement rate will go down when the process is complete.
• Abbott expects strong reimbursement growth when CMS reimbursement expansion occurs.
• Abbott said limited expansion of reimbursement has made penetration of the type 2 diabetes population more challenging.
• Abbott did not forecast when CMS reimbursement would begin for non-insulin-using type 2 diabetes patients using CGM and said it was not factoring that reimbursement into next year's forecast.

Impact estimates