Visual Abstract

Background: Young adults with diabetes face transitions in health care (provider, insurance, costs) and commonly have suboptimal glycemic control. We explored healthcare coverage and access to care and their associations with HbA1c, by diabetes type.

Methods: In the SEARCH (T1D and T2D) and TODAY (T2D) studies, interviewer-administered surveys collected data on health care coverage at study visits (2017-2019). The associations between healthcare coverage or access and HbA1c were examined separately in T1D and T2D.

Results: A total of 1374 participants, mean age 25 years, completed the survey. Mean HbA1c was similar in T1D and T2D for those with public insurance, but higher in T1D with no insurance. Having health insurance and a usual place for diabetes care were associated with lower HbA1c for T1D participants but not for those with T2D (Table). Participants from states with Medicaid eligibility expansion were more likely to have health insurance for T1D: 99% with vs. 91% without expansion; and T2D: 93% with vs. 75% without expansion.

Conclusion: Having healthcare coverage and access was associated with better glycemic control for young adults with T1D, but not T2D. Medicaid eligibility expansion was associated with having health insurance. Examining how healthcare access factors affect self-care differently in T1D and T2D is essential.

Disclosure

C. Pihoker: None. J. Divers: None. P. Zhang: None. D. M. Nathan: None. K. Drews: None. D. Dabelea: None. P. Zeitler: Consultant; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Merck & Co., Inc. B. H. Braffett: None. T. Songer: Employee; Spouse/Partner; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. W. H. Herman: Advisory Panel; Spouse/Partner; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Consultant; Self; RTI International, Other Relationship; Self; American Diabetes Association, American Diabetes Association, American Diabetes Association, International Diabetes Federation, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., National Committee for Quality Assurance, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Special Government Employee, Research Support; Spouse/Partner; Nestlé. M. Tung: None. S. Kuo: None. A. Bellatorre: None. E. M. Isganaitis: None. E. T. Jensen: None.

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