Rise in CGM Adoption Among Medicare Advantage Enrollees with Diabetes
A study conducted by Humana Healthcare Research in collaboration with Dr. Joseph S. Ross from Yale School of Medicine highlights a significant rise in the adoption of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) among Medicare Advantage enrollees with type 2 diabetes between 2021 and 2023. Detailed findings of this research have been published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy.
The study focused on examining the differences in demographic and clinical traits of type 2 diabetes patients utilizing CGMs compared to those who did not as of 2023. It was observed that individuals using CGMs often present with more complex health conditions than their counterparts not using these devices.
CGMs offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional glucose monitoring, supplying continuous and real-time blood glucose information. This innovation aids in enhancing diabetes management by providing data that can help stabilize blood sugar levels, potentially easing the physical toll of routine monitoring. Despite their advancements, there is limited comprehension among healthcare providers concerning the specific patient demographics using these monitors and potential barriers that impede wider utilization.
As one of the pioneering studies investigating CGM utilization in this group, the findings accentuate the need for further exploration into clinical outcomes and identifying the patient profiles that benefit the most as accessibility increases. Dr. Mark Mugavin, Humana's Medical Director, commented on the importance of these findings, indicating that the insights gleaned could help target those who would gain the most from CGMs, notably patients who infrequently see medical professionals. This could better equip health providers to deploy effective diabetes management strategies.
Moreover, Dr. Ross emphasized, "Characterizing trends in uptake and use helps us better understand the impact of Medicare coverage decisions on new technology adoption," noting the importance of identifying population groups with restricted access to CGMs. By 2026, Humana Medicare Advantage members will have the option to acquire CGMs with no associated out-of-pocket expenses, as these will be fully covered under the plan.
For more in-depth findings from the research, interested parties can refer to the full study available on the JMCP website.