Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people around the world, impacting the capacity of their bodies to regulate the levels of sugar in blood which, if not controlled adequately with the counsel of a licensed medical team, and the commitment and active participation of the patients, may have consequences for senior adults.

Our population of the PCABP plan face a high risk of developing diabetes mellitus, due to their aging process, inadequate nutritional habits, genetic predisposition and a decrease in the time and intensity in which they carry out physical activities.  Nevertheless, a crucial element in the effective control of the diabetes in our plan is the availability of a robust plan of health benefits that we have, which offers coverage for medications and medical visits, and laboratory tests, under the Diabetes Management Program.

This program, not only facilitates access to essential medications, according to the form, without any cost to the patients (100% coverage), but also assuring the carrying out of periodic tests to monitor the levels of blood glucose, as well as other important biomedical parameters, which is essential for an adequate control.  The medication Dapaglifozin has been approved by OPM, upon request from AJAC´s Board of Directors, to be available for a 100% medication coverage for people with diabetes, starting in January of 2024.

Here is where it is helpful to have an analysis of global patient data.  Our health plan may use aggregated data received from all the interactions of the beneficiaries with the health system and the different providers, to identify use tendencies, to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments and to adjust the coverage policies as necessary.

This focus based on data, not only benefits individuals who are guaranteed an optimal treatment, but also contributes to the financial sustainability of the plan, allowing for a better distribution of the resources, containing costs and generating savings, as it prevents possible serious complications that may cause prolonged hospitalizations, surgeries and other complex procedures of high costs.

That is why, while supporting the professional integral focus on the medical attention by our primary physicians, this Diabetes Management Program has included the MiniMed clinics, that will offer control consultations and follow-up by Internal Medicine specialist physicians, besides control laboratory tests at a lower cost for the plan, ensuring adherence and compliance with the treatments and the accomplishment of the program objectives, by increasing the number of members with adequate levels of blood glucose and a lower number of complications and hospital admissions.

Additionally, a progressive change of the glucometers provided to the patients by Roche is in process, toward a newer model which allows for the sharing of data compiled from the patients wirelessly, with the glucose levels of the patient using it, besides incorporating a visualization application and data management by the patient, who can use his smart cell phone for a better control of his/her condition, thus collaborating with the analysis of global data of the patients´ readings to verify use tendencies and to improve the management of this chronic condition.

With the adequate combination of primary physician professionals, internal medicine doctors and the rest of the multidisciplinary health team, more and better treatments, nutritional recommendations and follow-up of the control laboratory values, together with a thorough data analysis, all contribute so we can work together to effectively control diabetes in senior adults improving their quality of life, decreasing the load for the patient, his/her families and for the entire PCABP plan.

We should continue to learn about Diabetes mellitus, getting empowered for its adequate management and follow-up.  Present your relevant consultations to your primary physician and treating team.

By: Dr. Toribio Gomez