Insurance lapses linked to worse diabetes management, study finds

A study of more than 39,000 low-income adults treated at community health centers found that intermittent loss of insurance was associated with poorer blood sugar control and increased use of insulin and other intensive diabetes medications.

A new study reports that people with type 2 diabetes who lose and regain insurance coverage intermittently have worse blood sugar control. Researchers reviewed health records for more than 39,000 adults treated at community health centers in 20 states. The study, reported March 20 in JAMA Health Forum, found increased use of insulin and other high-intensity diabetes treatments among patients who experienced insurance "churn." Lead researcher Nathalie Huguet and colleagues described these outcomes and their implications for people with unstable coverage. Key findings: - The analysis used records from over 39,000 low-income adults seen at community health centers across 20 states. - Intermittent loss of insurance (insurance "churn") was associated with poorer blood sugar control compared with steady coverage. - Patients who lost coverage had higher rates of insulin use and other intensive diabetes medications. - Serious complications were uncommon in the study, which researchers said may reflect relatively short follow-up. Summary: Researchers reported that losing and regaining insurance made diabetes harder to manage for the patients studied and led to greater reliance on intensive treatments. Undetermined at this time.