Diabetes Outcomes: Comparison of Patient Assistance Programs to 340B Drug Pricing.

Background: Patient assistance programs (PAPs) or obtaining 340B drug pricing offers a means of providing medications at low cost. The purpose of this study was to determine whether primary care patients who receive insulin from PAPs have an improved change in A1C, compared to 340B patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of primary care patients who obtained insulin therapy through a PAP or 340B between June 1, 2012, and June 1, 2013.

Association between prescription drug benefit and hospital readmission rates.

Purpose: To determine whether primary care medicine clinic (PCMC) patients with a prescription drug benefit were associated with a lower rate of hospital readmissions.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of PCMC patients who had at least 1 hospital readmission in 2011. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups: patients without prescription drug benefits and patients with prescription drug benefits.

Integrating systematic chronic care for diabetes into an academic general internal medicine resident-faculty practice.

Background: The quality of care for diabetes continues to fall short of recommended guidelines and results. Models for improving the care of chronic illnesses advocate a multidisciplinary team approach. Yet little is known about the effectiveness of such models in an academic setting with a diverse patient population and resident physicians participating in clinical care.