OBJECTIVES: The randomized controlled ABACUS study assessed the impact of using the automated insulin bolus advisor within the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert system in combination with intensive diabetes therapy on glycemic control in patients treated with MDI therapy. This analysis assessed the potential incremental economic benefit of using this automated bolus advisor device on the short-term healthcare costs (SHC). METHODS: The study outcome parameter was “achieving the goal of an at least 0.5% reduction in HbA1c”. The economic analysis was performed with a spreadsheet-model from a UK payer’s direct cost perspective and based on ABACUS outcomes. Data on correlation between HbA1c change and expected cost are based on published literature. Model outputs include expected impact on SHC and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS:  56% of patients in the intervention group (IG) achieved the goal, in the control group (CG) 34% respectively. Goal achievement led to an average HbA1c reduction of 1.2%, irrespective of group. There was no clinically relevant HbA1c effect in the remaining patients. Goal achievement correlates with an expected reduction in SHC of £189 per person / per year (PPY). The expected SHC reduction is £104 PPY in the IG and £74 PPY in the CG. The goal-achievement-rate increased by 63%, driving a comparative economic benefit of £30 PPY for an automated insulin bolus advisor supported approach. There were no significant differences in complications or in intervention cost. CONCLUSIONS:  An MDI therapy in diabetes care that is supported by the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert systems with its automated bolus advisor leads to a 63% higher rate of goal achievement. This is expected to result in an incremental reduction in short-term healthcare costs of £30 PPY. Hence automated bolus calculation improved the cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose in this study population.