A national analysis of 1,228 adults with diabetes in the United States from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2018–2022) highlights a concerning gap in continuity of care. The study found that 49.8% of patients had 1+ calendar year without a visit to a diabetes care provider, while 5.9% had no visits over the entire 4-year period. These lapses were not limited to low-risk groups. Patients with severe disease, including those on insulin or with diabetic eye or renal complications, showed similar patterns.
Disparities were evident, with higher rates among Hispanic, Black, and uninsured populations. Care gaps persisted even after excluding the 2020 COVID pandemic period from the analysis, with a substantial 42.9% of patients still having more than one year without physician contact. These prolonged lapses were also associated with interruptions in treatment for diabetes, hypertension,…
