DMEs improve adherence, lower costs & reduce utilization, study finds 

DALLAS – There are significant advantages for patients receiving continuous glucose monitors through DME providers compared to pharmacies, including higher adherence rates, according to a new study published in Clinical Diabetes, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Diabetes Association. 

The study, supported by CCS, demonstrates that efforts to expand access to CGMs by adding pharmacy as a new channel for distribution — alongside the established DME provider channel — may be having the opposite intended impact, resulting in lower adherence and higher total costs of care. 

“Higher adherence rates with continuous glucose monitors are directly linked to improved glycemic control, reduced complications, and lower health care costs,” said Steven Edelman, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of California at San Diego, who is co-author of the study and a practicing endocrinologist. “This latest research emphasizes the need for industry-wide support of evidence-based decisions that optimize patient access to diabetes technology and improve clinical outcomes.” 

Notable findings highlighted in the study include: 

• Improved adherence: Patients receiving supplies through the DME channel demonstrated they were more likely to stay on doctor-prescribed therapy. By 12 months: 
  • Medicare/Medicare Advantage patients: 78% adherence with DME vs. 64% with pharmacy. 
  • Commercially insured patients: 60% adherence with DME vs. 48% with pharmacy. 
• Lowered total costs of care: Among Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients, total costs of care were 35% lower for those using DME providers: 
  • At 12 months, patients leveraging the DME channel cost approximately $3,875 less than pharmacy users ($11,154 vs. $15,029). 
• Reduced health care utilization: Commercially insured patients using the DME channel had significantly fewer emergency room (ER) and inpatient (IP) days than those utilizing the pharmacy channel (8 days vs. 11 days). 

This new study builds on previous studies, including another that found higher adherence rates and lower costs when CGMs are provided through DME providers. 

“This research presents an opportunity to align health plan policies with provider preferences based on measurable outcomes,” said Dr. Arti Masturzo, chief medical officer at CCS. “The data shows patients utilizing DME providers experience higher adherence rates, reduced health care costs, and fewer emergency interventions compared to pharmacy channels. By focusing on these evidence-based results, we can work toward building a health care system where patients receive better diabetes management support while reducing costs for the entire system.” 

• Related: DME providers can help physicians manage diabetes population, study finds.