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Wellness program cut medication costs, improved glycemic outcomes
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PHILADELPHIA — Intensive lifestyle intervention programs can help patients with type 2 diabetes save more than $140 per month at the pharmacy counter while improving their condition, according to data presented here at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 21st Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress Meeting.
John G. Evans, MD, and a team of researchers in a Jacksonville, Fla.-based endocrinology group developed a study to calculate diabetes-related medication expenditures, before and after enrolling patients with type 2 diabetes into a 16-week lifestyle intervention program.
John G. Evans
“We were very excited by that clinical improvement and their overall glycemic profile,” Evans said at a press conference.
The program placed an emphasis on nutrition, fitness and behavioral therapy, with educational sessions conducted by various specialists. Of the 36 patients enrolled in the Wellness Life Program, 27 had type 2 diabetes (mean age, 63 years; BMI, 40.3; HbA1c, 8%).
Before enrollment, 22% of patients were on one diabetes medication, 45% were on two and 33% were on at least three medications, with an average of two medications (19 patients used insulin).
According to data from the 2010 Red Book, a 30-day supply of diabetes medication was $269.62 after the intervention, with an average savings of $142.92 per patient, per month. Additionally, insulin doses were decreased by 46%, and oral medication decreased by 16%. The researchers reported a 3.07 reduction in BMI and 0.7% in HbA1c. HbA1c was reduced by an average of 1.3% for patients with an HbA1c of 8% or more.
Last year, the CMS ruled that intensive behavioral therapy for obesity is covered as a benefit under some plans.
“These results illustrate the positive impact a lifestyle intervention can have on medication expenditures in obese, overweight patients with diabetes. Future projects will include targeting a larger population to establish cost savings as well as enhanced care with our intervention. Employing these programs within an endocrinology practice achieves improved patient care, safe medication adjustments and reduced medication expenditures,” Evans said.
For more information:
- Evans J. Abstract #245. Presented at: the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 21st Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress Meeting; May 23-27, 2012; Philadelphia.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.