Solara is a medical supplier, not a glucose monitor brand. The company sells CGMs, insulin pumps, lancets and test strips to adults and children. It bills Medicare and works with more than 300 insurers. Medical News Today reviewed the company in 2021.
Solara resells Dexcom, FreeStyle and Senseonics sensors. Customers praise easy reordering and prescription help. Many reviewers report shipping delays of several weeks. The website lists no prices. BBB accreditation dates from 2019, and returns exclude CGM sensors. Byram Healthcare claims three-day shipping.
The supplier suits buyers whose insurance it accepts and who can wait. Speed and price remain the weak spots. Read on for reviews, costs, comparisons and a clear verdict on who should avoid Solara. Every answer comes from the sources reviewed for this article.
What Is the Solara Continuous Glucose Monitor?
The Solara continuous glucose monitor is not one device but a supply service for CGMs made by other brands. Solara Medical Supplies sells lancets, test strips, CGMs and insulin pumps to people with diabetes. Medical News Today says the company serves both adults and children. Shoppers who expect a Solara-branded sensor will not find one in the catalog.
Solara claims to be the largest American independent supplier of CGMs and insulin pumps. The company is also a Medicare provider. In plain English: Solara ships the gear, and the gear carries another maker’s name.
Products Solara Sells:
- Continuous glucose monitors
- Insulin pumps
- Test strips
- Lancets
Is Solara a CGM Brand?
No. Solara does not manufacture its own glucose sensor and resells devices from established makers. The Medical News Today review lists Dexcom, FreeStyle, Senseonics and Medtronic among the brands. So the sensor on your arm comes from one of them. The package carries the maker’s name, while Solara handles the ordering and delivery to the door.
Now here is the thing: Solara’s own contact forms mention the AdaptHealth team. Who handles your order? Check the name on your paperwork, because the company that bills you may differ from the one on the brand.
How Does a Solara Continuous Glucose Monitor Work?
A CGM reads glucose levels through a small sensor placed under the skin. Medical News Today explains that users view the data on a transmitter, a smartphone or another compatible device. Each model has its own instructions, so users follow the manufacturer’s guide. Readings update on the device without a finger prick.
A February 2020 Solara TV spot says CGMs eliminate finger sticks. Does that hold up? The source is an advertisement, so it counts as marketing and not as clinical proof.
Which CGM Brands Does Solara Supply?
Solara supplies CGM systems from Dexcom, FreeStyle and Senseonics, plus Medtronic sensors. Medical News Today calls its brand list nonexhaustive. The Senseonics CGM suits 90 days of continuous wear, the longest wear time on the list. The catalog also includes meters and test strips from Contour Next and One Touch.
FreeStyle items include a Libre sensor kit, a 14-day reader and a 14-day sensor. Dexcom items cover sensors, receivers and transmitters. Here’s the full picture:
Brands and Products:
| Brand | Products Listed |
|---|---|
| Dexcom | CGMs, sensors, receivers, transmitters |
| FreeStyle | Libre sensor kit, 14-day reader, 14-day sensor |
| Senseonics | CGM for 90 days of wear |
| Medtronic | Sensors, transmitters, insulin pumps |
What Do Solara CGM Reviews Say?
Solara reviews split between easy reordering and serious delivery delays. Medical News Today reported an average of 1.02 out of 5 stars from BBB reviewers in 2021. The best single review there gave 2 stars. Delays drive most of the anger, and slow answers from the company add to the frustration.
The reason is simple: most reviewers complain about shipping, not about the devices. Reviews are anecdotes, and they show patterns, not guarantees.
What Do Customers Praise?
Satisfied customers praise the phone ordering and the way Solara handles prescriptions. One diabetes blogger on Medicare placed a Dexcom G6 order by phone with a sales specialist. Solara then contacted the blogger’s endocrinologist for the prescription and chart notes. The blogger described the process as straightforward.
Medical News Today lists an easy reorder process as a pro. Customers pay through a secure portal and get supplies delivered to the door. And it gets better: the company runs three Diabetes Centers of Excellence for questions about products and insurance.
What Are the Common Complaints?
Complaints center on late shipments and weak communication about order problems. Medical News Today says some products arrive several weeks after the agreed date. Reviewers also say Solara does not warn them about prescription or shipping issues. Slow answers make the waiting harder for people who rely on the supplies daily.
The bad news? One BBB reviewer, Linda H, waited over a month for insulin pump supplies. Another, Dan L, said a representative hung up on them and would not answer questions.
Reported Problems:
- Products arriving several weeks late
- No updates when orders hit problems
- No pricing on the company website
- Representatives who end calls early
Is Solara Legit?
Yes. Solara is a real, licensed and accredited supplier with a long operating history. The BBB profile shows a limited liability company in Chula Vista, California, with 30 years in business. BBB accreditation dates from May 8, 2019. That record counts for a lot when a buyer judges whether a supplier is real. That history counts when a buyer judges a supplier.
Medical News Today saw a B grade from the BBB in 2021. Is a B grade bad news? Not by itself, but the same page carried low star ratings from customers.
Is Solara BBB Accredited?
Yes. Solara has held BBB accreditation since May 8, 2019. The BBB states that accredited businesses commit to its Standards for Trust. The BBB also warns that it does not verify information supplied by third parties. Solara’s site names ACHC, NABP and URAC as accrediting bodies, which adds weight to the claim.
Solara’s site adds three more accreditations. These come from ACHC, NABP and URAC, and each one demands proof of quality and process standards. To be clear, accreditation measures process, not delivery speed.
Accrediting Bodies:
- ACHC, which covers home health, hospice and pharmacy
- NABP, which puts patient safety first
- URAC, an independent nonprofit accreditor
Does Solara Accept Insurance?
Yes. Solara works with more than 300 insurance companies and acts as a Medicare provider. Medical News Today says this means most products can be covered through insurance. Buyers unsure about coverage can contact the company before ordering. A quick call confirms whether a specific plan is on the list.
The 2020 TV spot says people on Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance may qualify for a new CGM. So does coverage guarantee approval? Not at all, because a doctor still has to prescribe the device.
How Do You Order a CGM From Solara?
Ordering starts with a phone call or the Solara secure payment portal. Customers can also note a product’s SKU number and call Solara directly. Solara then asks the endocrinologist for the prescription and the chart notes it needs. The customer does not have to collect the paperwork alone.
New customers can also transfer an existing prescription. Solara lists three steps on its site, and the company coordinates with the current pharmacy. Here’s why that matters: the customer never has to chase the old pharmacy.
Prescription Transfer Steps:
- Gather the prescription and insurance information.
- Note the name and phone number of the current pharmacy.
- Let Solara contact the pharmacy and move the prescription.
How Much Does a Solara CGM Cost?
Solara does not publish prices anywhere on its website. Medical News Today lists this as a con. Buyers must call, or log in to the portal, to learn what a CGM or sensor costs with their insurance. Shoppers cannot see a price tag before they start the order process. Shoppers cannot see a price tag before they begin an order, and that frustrates many buyers.
One BBB reviewer, Lisette E, was quoted $457 per box of Tandem infusion sets. The same reviewer pays $33 per box elsewhere. That example involves pump supplies, not sensors, but the gap is hard to ignore.
Is Solara Worth the Price?
No. Solara is not worth the price until a written quote confirms the cost. Without public pricing, buyers cannot compare it with other suppliers. A quote from two or three suppliers settles the question fast. Written quotes make the comparison simple and remove the guesswork from the decision. Public prices would let shoppers compare options in minutes.
Returns are limited too. Solara accepts returns within 30 days with an RMA number, and the items must be unused and in original packaging. Pay attention to this: the policy lists CGM sensors as non-returnable.
Cost and Return Facts:
- No prices listed on the website
- One reviewer quoted $457 versus $33 elsewhere for infusion sets
- 30-day return window with an RMA number
- No returns on CGM sensors
How Does Solara Compare With Byram and Medtronic?
Solara, Byram Healthcare and Medtronic all sell insulin pumps, glucose monitors, lancets and test strips. Medical News Today compared the three in 2021. The differences sit in services and insurance reach. Each company pitches itself on convenience, so the details in the table below matter more than the slogans.
Medtronic offers CareLink software, which shares data with a doctor. Byram offers educational resources. Solara caters to children with diabetes. By comparison, the product lists look almost identical.
Supplier Comparison:
| Feature | Solara | Byram Healthcare | Medtronic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products | Pumps, CGMs, lancets, strips | Pumps, CGMs, lancets, strips | Pumps, CGMs, lancets, strips |
| Extra service | Caters to children | Educational resources | CareLink data sharing |
| Insurance | 300+ insurers, Medicare | 600+ insurers, Medicare | No information available |
How Fast Does Byram Healthcare Ship?
Byram Healthcare says most of its supplies ship within 3 days of ordering. Medical News Today reports that claim as the company’s own statement. Byram also describes itself as a convenient and affordable option. The claim puts a number on the speed gap that matters most to people who rely on daily supplies.
Solara customers report waits of several weeks. Byram also lists more than 600 insurance partners against Solara’s 300. Does that make Byram the winner? Not automatically, since coverage depends on each plan.
Should You Buy a CGM From Solara?
Yes. Solara suits buyers whose insurance it accepts and who can tolerate possible shipping delays. The company offers major CGM brands, Medicare billing and a simple reorder process. Delivery speed is the weak spot. Buyers who plan ahead face the fewest problems, and those who need supplies on short notice face the most.
Bottom line: ask for a written quote and a delivery date before committing. Then compare with one other supplier. A doctor should guide any CGM decision, and symptoms like excessive thirst or blurry vision call for a doctor visit.
Who Should Avoid Solara?
People who depend on fast delivery face the biggest risk with Solara. Reviewers who use insulin pumps report waits of over a month. A late sensor or pump set can disrupt daily diabetes management. Planning ahead and ordering early reduces that risk for those who must use Solara. Planning ahead and ordering early lowers that risk for buyers who must use Solara.
Price-sensitive buyers carry risk as well, since the company posts no prices. And CGM sensors cannot be returned. So what does that mean for you? Confirm the order details before the sensors ship.
Who Needs Extra Caution:
- Insulin pump users who need supplies on a fixed schedule
- Buyers who want public pricing before ordering
- Anyone whose insurance is not on the 300-plus list