People With Diabetes In High Deductible Health Plans More Likely To Delay Care

People with diabetes who were required to enroll in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) were more likely to delay care than those enrolled in traditional health plans with a low deductible. Those enrolled in a HDHP delayed seeking care by 1.5 more months for the first major symptoms of macrovascular disease, delayed obtaining the first diagnostic test by 1.9 more months, and delayed the first procedure-based treatment by 3.1 more months.

These findings were reported in “High-Deductible Insurance and Delay in Care for the Macrovascular Complications of Diabetes” by J. Frank Wharam, MB, BCh . . .