Even when things go well, managing diabetes is not easy. Keeping tabs on this disease 24/7 takes planning, commitment, support, and the right tools. For years, a chief complaint among those living with diabetes has been that managed care nickel-and-dimes people over basic supplies, which are comparatively cheap—things like test strips and sensors for a continuous glucose monitor—but will shell out thousands for dialysis and amputations. In the years ahead, if Congress wants to understand rising costs for end-stage renal disease or an increase in emergency department visits for hypoglycemia, it should look directly to CMS’ foray into competitive bidding for blood glucose test strips.
