Dataset Information

The diabetes health plan and medication adherence among individuals with low incomes.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test the impact of the Diabetes Health Plan (DHP), a diabetes-specific insurance plan that lowers out-of-pocket costs for diabetes-related medications and clinical visits, on adherence to oral hypoglycemic medications among low-income adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).

Data sources and study setting

Cohort of adults (18-64) with T2DM, an annual household income Study designWe employed a linear regression Difference-In-Differences (DID) approach with a matched comparison group. To assess for differential DHP effects across adherent versus non-adherent patients, we ran a Difference-in-Difference-in-Differences (DDD) analysis by including an interaction term that included indicators for DHP exposure status and time, and low versus high baseline medication adherence.

Data collection

The analytic data set is limited to employer groups that purchased the DHP and standard benefit plans from UnitedHealthcare, had internal pharmacy contracts; complete pharmacy claims data, and sufficient medical claims and lab data to identify employees and their dependents with T2DM.

Principal findings

Our DID analysis did not show improved medication adherence associated with employer DHP adoption. However, the DDD model suggested a difference between DHP-exposed and comparison beneficiaries when comparing the relative effect on individuals who were adherent versus non-adherent at baseline, as suggested by the significant three-way interaction term (10.2,p = 0.028). This effect was driven by the 8.2 percentage point increase in medication adherence for the DHP subsample that was non-adherent at baseline.

Conclusions

The DHP may benefit low-income patients with low baseline medication adherence. Value-based insurance design may be an important strategy for mitigating income disparities in T2DM outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Narain KDC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9660410 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The diabetes health plan and medication adherence among individuals with low incomes.

Narain Kimberly Danae Cauley KDC Turk Norman N Duru O Kenrik OK Moin Tannaz T Ho Sam S Mangione Carol M CM

Health services research 20220502

<h4>Objective</h4>To test the impact of the Diabetes Health Plan (DHP), a diabetes-specific insurance plan that lowers out-of-pocket costs for diabetes-related medications and clinical visits, on adherence to oral hypoglycemic medications among low-income adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).<h4>Data sources and study setting</h4>Cohort of adults (18-64) with T2DM, an annual household income <USD 30,000, and who were continuously enrolled in an employer-sponsored UnitedHealthcare plan for at least ...[more]

PMID: 35466402

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Project description:IntroductionThe exact pathway linking health literacy, self-efficacy, medication adherence, and glycemic control for type 2 diabetes remains unclear. Understanding the relationship between patient factors, medication adherence, and lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) may help patients better manage their disease. This study examined the association of health literacy and medication self-efficacy with self-reported diabetes medication adherence, and the association of health literacy, medication self-efficacy, and self-reported diabetes medication adherence with HbA1c of patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized a face-to-face questionnaire at two family medicine clinics in a Midwestern state among 174 patients; subjects enrolled were at least 20 years old with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, prescribed at least one oral diabetes medicine, and understood English. Questionnaires were administered to assess the participants': health literacy, using the Newest Vital Sign six-item questionnaire (NVS); self-efficacy for medication use, using the 13-item Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale; and self-report medication adherence, using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. HbA1c values were obtained from participants' electronic medical records. Multiple linear regressions were used to explore the association of health literacy and medication self-efficacy with both medication adherence and HbA1c level after controlling for all other covariates.ResultsSelf-reported health status (β = 0.17, p = 0.015) and medication self-efficacy (β = 0.53, p < 0.001) were positively associated with diabetes medication adherence. Health literacy was neither associated with diabetes medication adherence (β = -0.04, p = 0.586) nor HbA1c (β = -0.06, p = 0.542). Lower diabetes medication adherence (β = -0.26, p = 0.008) and higher number of prescribed medications (β = 0.28, p = 0.009) were correlated with higher HbA1c.ConclusionHealth literacy, as measured by the NVS, does not correlate with medication adherence or glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes. Interventions to improve patients' self-efficacy of medication use may improve diabetes medication adherence.

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Dataset Information

The diabetes health plan and medication adherence among individuals with low incomes.

Objective

Data sources and study setting

Data collection

Principal findings

Conclusions

Publications

The diabetes health plan and medication adherence among individuals with low incomes.

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