Cost Comparison of Flash Continuous Glucose Monitoring with Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose in Adults with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Using Intensive Insulin—From a US Private Payer Perspective

Abstract

Objective: Estimate the costs associated with a flash continuous glucose monitoring system as a replacement for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for people using intensive insulin to manage diabetes, from a US private payer perspective. Methods: The base case used SMBG at 8 tests/day, the mid-point of the range recommended by the American Diabetes Association for intensive insulin users. Scenario analyses used SMBG at 3, 6 and 10 tests/day. Estimated costs of glucose monitoring and severe hypoglycemic events were assessed. Results: For the base case, the annual cost of SMBG was $4,380 for a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared with $1,712 for flash monitoring, a reduction of $2,667 (61%). The cost of flash monitoring was also lower than SMBG at 6 and 10 tests/day. With SMBG at 3 tests/day the cost was comparable. Similar results were obtained for patients with T2DM using intensive insulin. The annual cost of severe hypoglycemia was approximately 50% less for flash monitoring than for SMBG for both patients with T1DM and those with T2DM. Conclusions: For US private payers, the flash monitoring system provides cost savings compared with SMBG for people with diabetes using intensive insulin. Cost savings with flash glucose monitoring may be realized through a reduction in severe hypoglycemia. Further study of budget impact is needed to include changes in behavior leading to improved adherence.