Background: RtCGM allows patients with type 2 diabetes to improve blood glucose control and reduce risk of serious acute and chronic complications of diabetes through continuous monitoring of real-time glucose levels, however little is known about the impact of rtCGM on diabetes-related medical costs in this population.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of administrative claims data from the Optum Research Database was conducted. The T2D cohort included those on intensive insulin therapy (IIT), and non-intensive therapies, including basal insulin only, and non-insulin medications. Patients initiated treatment with rtCGM between October 1, 2017 and February 28, 2019 (index date= earliest observed pharmacy claim). Continuous health plan enrollment of 12 months prior to, and 6 months after index date was required. Individuals with evidence of pregnancy, or type 1 diabetes were excluded. Total diabetes-related medical costs were assessed during the pre-and post-index periods and expressed as change in per-person-per-month (PPPM) costs.
Results: A total of 571 T2D patients met study inclusion criteria (average age = 51.2 (sd = 11.9) years, 46% female, 80% IIT). Average PPPM diabetes-related medical costs decreased by -$424, 95% CI -$816, -$31, p<0.035 after initiating rtCGM treatment (pre-index mean (SD) PPPM costs: $1,680 ($4,519); post-index: $1,256 ($3,679)). These reductions were driven, in part, by reductions in diabetes-related inpatient medical costs (-$358, 95% CI -$706, -10. p<.-044). Inpatient hospital stays were reduced on average -.006 PPPM and hospital days were reduced an average of -.042 PPPM.
Conclusions: These findings provide real-world evidence that rtCGM use was associated with diabetes-related medical cost reductions in patients with T2D. Increased access to rtCGM for patients with T2D may help to reduce diabetes-related cost of care.
G. J. Norman: Employee; Self; Dexcom, Inc. M. L. Paudel: None. T. Bancroft: None. P. M. Lynch: Employee; Self; Dexcom, Inc.
