Diabetes Management Can Cut Costs of Employee Health Coverage

Diabetes is an increasing health concern for providers and public health professionals across the nation. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and being overweight or obese are common causes of diabetes. Diabetes also runs in families — due to genetics and/or lifestyle habits.

The good news is that diabetes is manageable with education, behavioral change, and medication if needed. Highmark offers a comprehensive diabetes management program for group plan customers. The program provides digital coaching, virtual visits, glucose monitoring, and real-time feedback for lasting change.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition hallmarked by consistently high blood sugar (glucose) levels. Left unchecked, diabetes can lead to kidney failure, leg amputation, and loss of vision or total blindness.

Providers administer an A1C blood test to determine a diabetes diagnosis. The higher a person’s A1C level, the greater the risk. An A1C level above 6.5% is in the diabetes range.

According to the American Diabetes Association¹:

• 38 million people in the United States have diabetes.
• 1.2 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes each year.
• 97.6 million American adults have prediabetes, with A1C levels of 5.7 – 6.5%.
• $412.9 billion in total costs were incurred for diabetes care in 2022.

Cost burden of diabetes on employers

Every five years, the American Diabetes Association publishes an economic study on the cost burden of living with diabetes. The most recent Economic Report² detailed almost $106 billion in indirect costs to employers, including:

• $5.4 billion in absenteeism.
• $35.8 billion in reduced productivity (when at work).
• $28.3 billion in diabetes-related disability costs.
• $32.4 billion in lost productivity because of premature death.
  

The American workforce would have the equivalent of 2+ million additional participants if people with diabetes were as productive as their peers. People diagnosed with diabetes also spend 2.6 times more in medical care than those without the condition. This figure includes $307 billion in direct costs for care, medication, supplies, hospitalization, and related treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that people with diabetes are also more susceptible to depression than their peers³. However, only one-quarter to one-half of these people get treatment for depression.

The average annual medical expenditure for someone with diabetes is $19,736/year, including $12,022 for diabetes care². An analysis of your company’s health insurance plan data can help uncover how many claims include diabetes- or prediabetes-related care.

Virtual diabetes management program

Highmark’s employee group health plans offer options for the virtual diabetes management program, powered by Onduo/Verily. The program engages members on their own terms, providing digital and telehealth support between in-person provider visits.

This virtual diabetes care program offers tools, coaching, and clinical support to help members take control of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.  

Customized care plans get loaded into the diabetes management phone app, which is accessible through MyHighmark, 24/7.

Upon enrollment, members with type 2 diabetes receive a welcome kit with connected blood glucose meter (BGM) and testing supplies. They can also order additional testing supplies online for home delivery.

Members with type 1 diabetes may bring their own device and connect to the Verily app. Type 1 diabetes members may also request a BGM if needed.

Virtual visits with board-certified endocrinologists and other diabetes care providers offer clinical expertise, including medication management. Physicians, specialists and pharmacists oversee proper use of prescribed medications, review medication effectiveness, and optimize medication usage.

One-on-one coaching lends daily support, including nutrition education and guidance on healthy eating habits. Members receive messages and reminders via the app that inspire positive lifestyle changes and behaviors.

The app can also sync with wearable fitness devices and trackers. This connectivity helps to provide a more complete picture of exercise habits, weight, sleep, and other factors that impact health.

Helping employees with diabetes

Creating a diabetes-friendly workplace is critical to the well-being and performance of employees managing this chronic illness. Policies that prioritize diabetes management, accessible care, and greater awareness can result in a stronger, healthier workforce. 

Activities and accommodations can include:

• Increasing diabetes awareness and education among human resources staff, executive leadership, and all team members. National Diabetes Month is in November.
• Offering healthy cafeteria and/or snack choices such as fruit, vegetables, low-fat options, and alternatives to candy and soft drinks.
• Encouraging short breaks and walks to promote regular movement, especially among employees with sedentary jobs.
• Covering insulin, emergency glucagon, insulin pumps, glucose monitors, anti-obesity medications, and nutrition counseling in your employee health plan.
• Promoting preventive care, including screenings for A1C, cholesterol, and high blood pressure, as well as eye, kidney, and foot health.
• Providing access to mental health coverage as an added benefit to your health plan. Highmark offers a virtual Mental Well-Being solution to complement the diabetes offering.

Talk to your client manager or broker for more information on the virtual diabetes management program. It may be easier than you think to integrate new options into your health plan.