FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, CA – August 30, 2024 – A new study published in Diabetology reveals that Medicaid beneficiaries with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) who transitioned to commercial insurance experienced significantly lower rates of major amputation compared to those who remained on Medicaid. The research, co-authored by a team from Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, University of Arizona, and Washington State University, highlights the potential impact of insurance status on the clinical outcomes of vulnerable patient populations.
The study, which analyzed data from the PearlDiver claims database, examined the outcomes of 8,856 Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with a new DFU between 2010 and 2019. Of these, 66% transitioned to commercial insurance during the study period. The research employed rigorous statistical methods, including propensity matching and logistic regression, to compare the incidence of major amputations between those who transitioned to commercial insurance and those who remained on Medicaid.
The findings were striking: patients who transitioned to commercial insurance had a 27% lower risk of major amputation compared to those who continued with Medicaid coverage. Specifically, the overall major amputation rate was 2.8%, with lower rates observed in the transitioned group (2.6%) versus the continuous Medicaid group (3.2%). The multivariable analysis further confirmed that transitioning to commercial insurance was associated with a significantly reduced risk of major amputation (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.22–0.55, p = 0.01 in the matched cohort).
“This study underscores the profound impact that insurance coverage can have on health outcomes, particularly for individuals with complex conditions like diabetic foot ulcers,” said David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Neurological Surgery at Keck School of Medicine and one of the study’s senior authors. “Our findings suggest that transitioning from Medicaid to commercial insurance could be a critical factor in reducing the risk of life-altering complications such as major amputations.”
Tze Woei Tan, Associate Professor of Surgery and the study’s senior author added, “The research highlights the importance of addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly for Medicaid beneficiaries who are among the most vulnerable populations. Ensuring that these patients have access to comprehensive care through insurance transitions could play a significant role in improving their long-term health outcomes.”
The study was presented at the Plenary Session of the 37th Western Vascular Society Annual Meeting in Victoria, BC, Canada, and is now available in the latest issue of Diabetology. These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that insurance status and the type of coverage play critical roles in patient outcomes, particularly for those with chronic and severe conditions.
For the original study, please visit here.
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