Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of drugs indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Certain chemicals in the GLP-1 receptor agonists class are co-indicated for the treatment of both diabetes and weight management, although under different brand names.
Medicare Part-D payers’ diabetes adherence metrics matter
As GLP-1 receptor agonist brands are increasingly being used for weight loss purposes, Walgreens noted disruptions to Medicare Part-D payers’ diabetes adherence metrics in 2022; this effect may be due to the fact that use of any drug for differing indications can lead to dosing and course of therapy irregularities.
Medication adherence as a critical component in insurers’ performance
Over the past decade, CMS has viewed medication adherence as a critical component in a health insurers’ performance; insurers in turn use performance-based financial incentives to leverage pharmacies to assist in cultivating adherence amongst payer member diabetic patients.
Data-driven insights on GLP-1 monotherapy subpopulation of patients
Walgreens, in partnership with AllazoHealth, investigated the disruptions to Medicare Part-D payers’ diabetes adherence metrics in 2022.
When considering GLP-1 Monotherapy as a proxy for off-indication usage of GLP-1 class drugs, this study shows strong impacts to the diabetes adherence quality measures for three major Medicare Part D payers in 2022; this was due to the growing patient proportions and poor adherence for the GLP-1 Monotherapy subpopulation of patients.
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