Association of Patient Cost Sharing With Adherence to GLP-1RA and Adverse Health Outcomes.

Objective: To examine the associations between patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and nonadherence to glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), and the consequent impact on adverse outcomes, including hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits.

Research design and methods: This retrospective cohort study used MarketScan Commercial data (2016-2021). The cohort included nonpregnant adults aged 18-64 years with type 2 diabetes who initiated GLP-1RA therapy. Participants were continuously enrolled in the same private insurance plan for 6 months before the prescription date and 1 year thereafter. Exposures included average first 30-day OOP costs for GLP-1RA, categorized into quartiles (lowest [Q1] to highest [Q4]). Primary outcomes were the annual proportion of days covered (PDC) for GLP-1RA and nonadherence, defined as PDC <0.8. Secondary outcomes included diabetes-related and all-cause hospitalizations and ED visits 1 year after GLP-1RA initiation.

Results: Among 61,907 adults who initiated GLP-1RA, higher 30-day OOP costs were associated with decreased adherence. Patients in the highest OOP cost quartile (Q4: $80-$3,375) had significantly higher odds of nonadherence (odds ratio [OR] 1.25; 95% CI 1.19-1.31) compared with those in Q1 ($0-$21). Nonadherence was linked to increased incidence rates of diabetes-related hospitalizations or ED visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.86; 95% CI 1.43-2.42), cumulative length of hospitalization (IRR 1.56; 95% CI 1.41-1.72), all-cause ED visits (IRR 1.38; 95% CI 1.32-1.45), and increased ED-related costs ($69.81, 95% CI $53.54-$86.08).

Conclusions: Higher OOP costs for GLP-1RA were associated with reduced adherence and increased rates of adverse outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes.