The economic effect of hypoglycemia in a health plan

This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and economic cost of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes taking insulin in a large mid-western health plan. Analysis of claims data identified 7,659 members with a diagnostic code for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes during a seven-year interval from 1992 to 1998. A total of 2,118 were prescribed some type of insulin regimen. During the six years of follow-up, more than 16% of insulin-treated patients experienced hypoglycemia profound enough to warrant medical attention. The mean cost per episode was $1,186 (range, $181-$4,924) or $7.04 per patient per month. Although the financial burden is smaller than that of late complications of diabetes, hypoglycemia associated with insulin therapy is associated with significant costs to the health care system.