Today, the importance of addressing the growing diabetes epidemic, which affects more than 38.4 million Americans and can be overwhelming and costly to employers and plan sponsors, remains. Holistic solutions that leverage the latest digital tools available can help to address the individual needs of each patient to support adherence and improved outcomes.
The role of technology and data in personalized diabetes care
Innovations such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are reshaping how we understand and manage diabetes. CGM integration enables greater convenience and provides key clinical data about a patient’s glucose levels. Blood sugar levels that go up and down can do both short term and long term damage to patients’ health. When clinically appropriate, CGMs can help members achieve their health goals with a lower total cost of care.
Streamlined access to appropriate therapies — through tools like automated prior authorization systems — further enhances the patient experience, reducing delays and improving adherence. But technology alone isn’t enough. The integration of specialized pharmacist support and educational resources ensures that patients are not only equipped with the right tools but also empowered to use them effectively.
Addressing comorbidities through integrated care
In addition to affordable diabetes treatments, tools like CGMs create a more comprehensive approach to diabetes management by supporting members and empowering plan sponsors to take proactive steps to manage this complex and costly disease.
And, because conditions are often interconnected, this comprehensive approach supports improved outcomes across a spectrum of chronic conditions. For example, in 2024, Diabetes Care Value, as part of our value-based SafeGuardRx platform, helped an additional 20.6% of enrolled patients at risk for heart disease and stroke start statin therapy. If all plans were to similarly increase statin use, we estimate that 24,368 heart attacks could be prevented over the next 10 years.1
A model for scalable impact
Programs like Diabetes Care Value demonstrate how combining traditional interventions with digital tools, predictive analytics, and specialized support can help patients better manage their condition while lowering overall costs. They also offer plan sponsors opportunities to optimize outcomes across a spectrum of chronic conditions.
As we look ahead, the imperative is clear: diabetes care must evolve from reactive treatment to proactive, personalized management. By embracing holistic strategies and leveraging the power of data, we can transform chronic care delivery and improve lives at scale.
Originally published on 8/31/22 and updated on 10/31/25.
1 Evernorth internal research and 2024 SafeGuardRx data.
