OBJECTIVES: : Approximately 90% of the diabetes mellitus population is classified as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cost-conscious decisions are instrumental to mitigate the burden of disease management which in 2017 was $9,601 per patient per year according to the ADA. The analysis aims estimate population or patient level costs of glucose monitoring devices in people living with non-intensively managed type 2 diabetes(T2D) in the US.

METHODS: : Annual costs associated with self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a non-intensively managed T2D population were modeled over a 1-year period using IBM® MarketScan database. After using a propensity score matching, 3,498 individuals were identified in each cohort and annualized monitoring costs were estimated considering an average of 1.1 test per day for SMBG and 0.8 blood glucose tests per day for CGM users. These data were used as inputs for the cost tool. Scenario analyses were performed using average SMBG testing frequency of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 per day and prices were based on 2021 average wholesale prices in the US.

RESULTS: : Cost of blood glucose testing was compared for users of SMBG and CGM devices. The SMBG cohort cost was $238 while the CGM cohort cost was $1,932 per user per year including the cost of the devices. Costs at the 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 SMBG tests per day were as follows $219, $409 and $598. Further analysis using the tool demonstrates that the cost break even point occurs above 10 tests per day for the SMBG cohort.

CONCLUSIONS: : Results of the present analysis indicate that SMBG is associated with lower treatment costs at all recommended testing frequencies. The present cost-tool on glucose monitoring devices can help to inform payers on optimizing resource allocation in the management of T2D population.