A Retrospective Review of the Effects of Patient Financial Assistance on Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study examined the effects of patient financial assistance on glycemic control in patients with type I and type II diabetes mellitus. Records for patients in our institution's endocrinology clinic who were enrolled in patient financial assistance were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were included if they were age 18 years or older, diagnosed with type I or II diabetes mellitus, enrolled in patient assistance through either manufacturer programs or our institution’s program, and had at least 6 months of glycemic data (i.e., A1c) prior to patient assistance enrollment and 6 months after, excluding 6 months of washout immediately after enrollment. A1c measurements had to be taken at least 90 days apart. Patients were excluded if they were enrolled in patient assistance for medications not indicated for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, if they died within the 6-month period after patient assistance enrollment, if A1c requirements were not met, or if patient assistance enrollment could not be confirmed. The primary outcome of this study was the change in A1c rate of change before and after enrollment in patient assistance. The rate of change in A1c in patients who received manufacturer patient assistance versus those who used other or multiple programs was also assessed as a post hoc analysis. A total of 152 patients were included in the final analysis. Although no significant difference was found, enrollment in patient assistance resulted in a change from an overall increase in A1c to an overall decrease in A1c, implying that enrollment in patient assistance may lead to an improvement in A1c.