Study Shows Disparities in CGM Prescribing for Vulnerable Patient Populations

In a recent cross-sectional study of electronic health record data, researchers found low rates of CGM prescription orders among Federally Qualified Health Center patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).  A total of 1,168 patients with T1D and 35,216 patients with T2D were included. Overall, CGM prescriptions were infrequent, with 11.0% of patients with T1D and 1.0% of patients with T2D receiving a prescription. Disparities in CGM orders were also observed among patients reporting Hispanic ethnicity, Black race, and those who lacked health insurance. Specifically, patients with T1D or T2D who reported Hispanic ethnicity, Black race, or were uninsured had lower multivariable odds of receiving a CGM prescription than White or insured adults (odds ratio [OR], 0.30-0.76). Among patients with T2D, HbA1c values >9.0% (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 2.37-4.21) and a greater burden of diabetes complications were associated with higher odds of CGM prescription. These findings are of particular interest to managed care and payer stakeholders seeking to identify and address the impact of social determinants of health in vulnerable patient populations.

Wallia A, Agarwal S, Owen AL, et al. Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitoring Among Patients Receiving Care in Federally Qualified Health Centers. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(11):e2445316.