Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity significantly burden healthcare systems and employer health plans. Digital health programs have emerged as scalable interventions; however, real-world evidence on their cost impact and care utilization remains limited. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of Dario, a digital health platform addressing multiple chronic conditions, on healthcare costs and utilization patterns across an employer-insured population, with a focused analysis on high-risk cohorts.
METHODS: A retrospective paired sample of 613 Dario members, pre-post enrollment analysis was conducted for 13 months (January 2024 to January 2025 inclusive). Analysis included per-member per-month (PMPM) changes in medical paid dollars based on claims, by service type and risk sub-groups (Elixhauser comorbidities, Diabetic type) using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for statistical significance.
RESULTS: The Dario digital health platform was associated with a significant reduction in medical costs ($119 PMPM at p < 0.05). Inpatient PMPM paid dollars declined by $189 PMPM, while home-based care expenditures increased modestly by $11.5 PMPM, indicating a strategic shift toward lower-acuity care.
In members with Type 2 diabetes (N=132) medical costs were reduced by $600 PMPM (p<0.05), with inpatient costs decreasing by $829 PMPM, highlighting the impact on high-burden metabolic conditions.
Members with concurrent comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (N=52) showed the most substantial total cost decrease ($1,785 PMPM p < 0.05; inpatient decreased $2,458 PMPM), underscoring potential benefits among individuals with multiple chronic conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: This observational study demonstrated significant reductions in medical costs, particularly among high-risk populations. The observed shift from inpatient to home-based care aligns with the digital health platform’s focus on member self-monitoring and on supporting more efficient care delivery with potential cost savings. Further evidence will be generated to confirm these preliminary findings.