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Lower drug co-pays help diabetics stay healthier

Category: Diabetes

Individuals who have received a positive HbA1c may face many years of expensive treatments. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most costly conditions to care for and it can be very difficult to cure. However, a new study has found that employer-sponsored insurance plans with lower drug co-pays may help these individuals lead healthier lives at less cost.

A team of researchers from the Florida Health Care Coalition examined nearly 4,000 diabetic employees of one large Orlando-based company. Half the group was given standard health coverage, while the others were allowed to purchase at their prescriptions at generic drug prices.

The investigators reported in the journal Health Affairs that individuals who were allowed to purchase less expensive medications were more likely to stay on treatment programs and less likely to end up in the hospital.

Furthermore, the arrangement was found to benefit the employer. For every dollar that the employer provided to cover the cost of prescription drugs, it was rewarded a $1.33 reduction in overall healthcare costs. Researchers said that their findings show that it pays off to keep people healthy rather than to treat them once they get sick.