Health Care Coverage and Glycemic Control in Young Adults With Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the TODAY2 Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between health care coverage and HbA1c in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes who transitioned to community diabetes care after receiving care during the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants completed questionnaires annually. HbA1c was measured in a central laboratory. Data from 2 years before and after transitioning to community care (2013-2016) were examined and compared between states with and without expanded Medicaid.
RESULTS: In 2016 (n = 427; mean age 24 years), 2 years after transitioning to community care, 93% of participants in states with Medicaid expansion had health care coverage compared with 68% (P < 0.0001) in states without Medicaid expansion. Mean HbA1c was 9.8% in participants with government coverage, 9.3% with commercial coverage, and 10.1% in those with no coverage (P = 0.0774). Additionally, 32%, 42%, and 66% of those with government coverage, commercially covered, and no coverage, respectively, were not attending outpatient diabetes visits (P < 0.0001). Of those with government coverage, 83% reported they had adequate coverage for insulin syringes/needles/pens, and 89% for glucose-monitoring supplies, with more limited coverage in those with commercial plans. Participants with commercial coverage had higher education attainment (P < 0.0001); 52% had HbA1c ≥9.0% compared with 64% of those who were government covered and 58% with no coverage (P = 0.0646).
CONCLUSIONS: More young adults with type 2 diabetes from the TODAY cohort had health care coverage in states with expanded Medicaid but glycemic control remained poor, regardless of coverage. New therapies and approaches are needed for this vulnerable population.