TRENDS IN LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AMONG MEDICARE ADVANTAGE BENEFICIARIES: 2015-2024
Author(s)
Kathrine Jefferson, MS Economics, Gosia Sylwestrzak, MA, Russ Michael, MS, Andrea DeVries, PhD, Jonathan Kuhn, PhD, Rebecca Cobb, MS.
Humana Healthcare Research, Humana Inc., Louisville, KY, USA.
Humana Healthcare Research, Humana Inc., Louisville, KY, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Guideline adherence to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is crucial to cardiovascular management. This research aims to examine population level trends in LDL-C levels among MA beneficiaries over 10 years (2015-2024) and assess patterns by demographic subgroups. Prior research has shown improvements in LDL-C control in the US from increased statin use and available treatments. However, data on more recent population LDL-C trends remain limited, particularly within Medicare Advantage (MA) populations with unique care coordination and quality incentive structures.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of laboratory data and insurance records for MA beneficiaries aged 65-89 years. Annual mean LDL-C values and proportion of annual LDL-C tests meeting guideline-recommended targets (<100mg/dL) were calculated. Trends will be evaluated using generalized estimating equations applying linear (mean LDL-C) and linear probability (proportion achieved <100mg/dL) models, risk-adjusting for age, sex, race, dual eligibility, number of annual LDL-C tests, and length of prior MA enrollment. Analyses will be stratified by sex, race, and dual eligibility status.
RESULTS: The study included 5,288,039 beneficiaries with ≥1 annual LDL-C measurement and 64,085,424 LDL-C tests. From 2015 to 2024, overall mean LDL-C declined 7.7% (100.1mg/dL to 92.4mg/dL), with similar declines among females (6.6%; 104.7mg/dL to 97.9mg/dL) and males (8.4%; 93.1mg/dL to 85.2mg/dL). The proportion achieving <100mg/dL increased from 54.6% to 63.1% overall; rising from 49.4% to 57.5% among females and 62.6% to 70.5% among males. Trends in both mean LDL-C and proportion achieving <100mg/dL showed continuous and consistent improvement throughout. Results will be risk-adjusted and stratified by demographic subgroups for the conference.
CONCLUSIONS: Unadjusted results indicate that LDL-C control among MA beneficiaries continued to improve over the past decade, reflecting better medication options, adherence, and preventive care. These findings highlight the value of recent innovations in LDL-C management and need for ongoing work to ensure continued progress in LDL-C control.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of laboratory data and insurance records for MA beneficiaries aged 65-89 years. Annual mean LDL-C values and proportion of annual LDL-C tests meeting guideline-recommended targets (<100mg/dL) were calculated. Trends will be evaluated using generalized estimating equations applying linear (mean LDL-C) and linear probability (proportion achieved <100mg/dL) models, risk-adjusting for age, sex, race, dual eligibility, number of annual LDL-C tests, and length of prior MA enrollment. Analyses will be stratified by sex, race, and dual eligibility status.
RESULTS: The study included 5,288,039 beneficiaries with ≥1 annual LDL-C measurement and 64,085,424 LDL-C tests. From 2015 to 2024, overall mean LDL-C declined 7.7% (100.1mg/dL to 92.4mg/dL), with similar declines among females (6.6%; 104.7mg/dL to 97.9mg/dL) and males (8.4%; 93.1mg/dL to 85.2mg/dL). The proportion achieving <100mg/dL increased from 54.6% to 63.1% overall; rising from 49.4% to 57.5% among females and 62.6% to 70.5% among males. Trends in both mean LDL-C and proportion achieving <100mg/dL showed continuous and consistent improvement throughout. Results will be risk-adjusted and stratified by demographic subgroups for the conference.
CONCLUSIONS: Unadjusted results indicate that LDL-C control among MA beneficiaries continued to improve over the past decade, reflecting better medication options, adherence, and preventive care. These findings highlight the value of recent innovations in LDL-C management and need for ongoing work to ensure continued progress in LDL-C control.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH48
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory)