State of the state in diabetes care

Diabetes rates continue to rise and gaps in care are widening, driven by rural challenges, inconsistent payer policies and income disparities, says Carson Moore, director of Aeroflow Diabetes.  

“On our end, we see a lot of patients who are diagnosed with diabetes and completely overwhelmed,” he said. “Helping patients understand their diagnosis, options and next steps is the first step in improving health outcomes.” 

HME News: There are many challenges for patients in accessing diabetes care, including inconsistent payer coverage. How does that create gaps in care? 

Carson Moore: The fragmented landscape of Medicaid and Medicare programs are constant challenges for our patients at Aeroflow Diabetes. While Medicaid serves as a central safety net for low-income individuals, eligibility criteria, covered services, and reimbursement rates for diabetes care and supplies vary significantly from state to state. This patchwork system creates major disparities in access, with some state residents facing limitations on technologies such as CGMs or even insulin pumps while others have more comprehensive coverage. The same can be said for Medicare programs, where differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans create disparities in access to those same essential tools and technologies.  

HME: What are some of the commonalities you see among patients who lack access to care? 

Moore: Education, housing stability, income and access to fresh food significantly impact an individual’s ability to manage chronic conditions, including diabetes. Uneven distribution of health care infrastructure impacts rural and low-income areas at a much higher rate than more densely populated and higher-income communities. Beyond inconsistent care models, fundamental limitations in coverage exist that exclude central aspects of diabetes management.  

HME: Why is access to care so critical for health outcomes? 

Moore: Access to comprehensive diabetes care is absolutely critical to achieving positive health incomes and preventing complications. Proper diabetes management - including timely glucose monitoring, education, nutrition therapy and medication adherence - can produce life-changing and cost-saving results.