Aging Into Medicare Tied To Higher Drug Costs For People With Type 2 Diabetes

Per-person out-of-pocket costs for people taking type 2 diabetes medications increased by an average of $23.04 per quarter after the person aged into Medicare coverage at age 65. Utilization of these medications decreased by 5.3% fewer claims per quarter, from 3.40 claims per quarter to 3.22 claims per quarter. The types of medications used changed as well after the person aged into Medicare. Insulin use increased, which was associated with additional increases in per-person out-of-pocket costs.

The increase in spending upon reaching age 65 was associated with coinsurance requirements in . . .