Closing Care Gaps in Diabetes Management Through Advanced Data Integration with Continuous Glucose Monitors

Clinical practice guidelines endorse the use of CGM, and CMS recently expanded coverage for this technological intervention. However, disparities due to racial/ethnic bias, insurance coverage, and healthcare literacy present barriers to equitable diabetes care and access to CGM. Data show that members of minority populations, those with lower socioeconomic status and those without private insurance are disproportionately affected by diabetes and have lower rates of CGM use. This article, published in Managed Healthcare Executive, notes that payers should place greater emphasis on expanding patient education programs. In addition, further action must be taken to inform patients and to increase adoption and dissemination of new diabetes care technology. In addition to enhancing provider knowledge of CGM and its role in optimal patient care, managed care and payer professionals are tasked with ensuring that unnecessary barriers do not exist in current coverage policies.

In an accompanying video series, Estay Greene, PharmD, MBA, provides insights on ways to improve the care of patients with diabetes from the payer persepective, with a focus on data supporting the use of CGM. Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, BCACP, CDCES, FADCES, FCCP, and David Hines also share their perspectives on social determinants of health in diabetes management and overcoming disparities in care with appropriate use of CGM.