Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus studied the impact of state-level caps on insulin out-of-pocket costs on patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The study found that these caps did not significantly increase insulin claims, as many patients were already paying lower costs even before the caps were implemented.
Patients struggling with insulin affordability may not benefit much from state-mandated caps on out-of-pocket costs.
The study suggests that focusing on populations with the most difficulty affording insulin, such as the uninsured or those with high-deductible health plans, could be more effective in improving access to affordable insulin.
Expanding cap policies to cover other expensive medications commonly used for diabetes management could also help more patients access necessary treatments.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus shed light on the effectiveness of state-level caps on insulin out-of-pocket costs for patients managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The study found that these caps do not significantly increase insulin utilization among patients, as many of them were already paying out-of-pocket costs below the mandated caps. The results of the study could potentially influence future policies aimed at improving insulin affordability for those who struggle with the burden of cost.
Lead author of the study, Kelly E. Anderson, emphasized the importance of identifying populations that are most affected by insulin affordability issues. The study suggested that expanding cap policies to include other expensive medications, such as GLP-1s and SGLT-2s, may benefit more patients. Furthermore, focusing on populations like the uninsured or those in high-deductible health plans who struggle with insulin affordability could be more beneficial than implementing a nationwide cap for all commercial insurance enrollees. These findings could help policymakers tailor future initiatives to better address the needs of diabetes patients facing financial challenges in accessing essential medications.
