Ahern DK, Aberger EW, Wroblewski JP, et al. Behavior-based diabetes management: impact on care, hospitalizations, and costs. The American Journal of Managed Care. 2021 Mar;27(3):96-102. DOI: 10.37765/ajmc.2021.88597.
This study evaluated a commercially available diabetes care management program for members of self-insured health plans across the United States.
• Adherence to diabetes care standards can be improved significantly by deploying an approach to care management based on behavioral science and incentives.
• The pattern of health care service utilization improved with decreased hospital admissions and hospital days while outpatient physician visits increased for those members enrolled in the diabetes care management program.
• The study provides a business case for employers and health plans to promote patient engagement through use of contingent incentives, leading to better health outcomes and lower plan costs.
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Diabetes has a major adverse impact on productivity, disability, and health care costs.1-4 The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently updated estimates of the economic burden of diagnosed diabetes, reporting a total estimated cost in 2017 of $327 billion, including $237 billion in direct medical costs and $90 billion in reduced productivity.5 For employers, the indirect costs of diagnosed diabetes include increased absenteeism ($3.3 billion) and reduced productivity while at work ($26.9 billion). Much of the medical cost of diabetes is related to comorbidities and complications arising from inadequate management of the disease. To help mitigate the adverse consequences of poor control of diabetes, the ADA provides evidence-based standards of care for persons with diabetes.6 Unfortunately, despite availability of these care standards and expanded therapeutic options, most people with diabetes demonstrate gaps in clinical care, low adherence to glucose monitoring, and inadequate management of cardiovascular risk factors.
Read the full article here https://www.ajmc.com/view/behavior-based-diabetes-management-impact-on-care-hospitalizations-and-costs
