Lost Insurance? Shocking New Study Reveals 50% Spike in Diabetes Complications – Are You at Risk?

New research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reveals that losing health insurance can significantly deteriorate health outcomes for individuals with diabetes. The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, underscores a troubling reality: low-income adults who experience interruptions in their health coverage, often referred to as insurance "churn," struggle to manage their diabetes effectively. This research highlights the urgent need for policy changes as many Americans face potential cuts to Medicaid and rising insurance costs in the coming years.

Lead author Nathalie Huguet, Ph.D., an associate professor of family medicine at OHSU, aims to shed light on the repercussions of insurance loss on diabetes management. "Our goal was to understand what happens after people with diabetes lose insurance," she explains. "We already know they are more likely to churn out of coverage. This study shows that once they do, their health often gets worse."

Data from over 39,000 adults treated at community health centers in 20 states demonstrated that those who lost their insurance experienced poorer blood sugar control and required more intensive medications compared to their insured counterparts. Notably, insulin use and other high-intensity diabetes treatments increased among patients who lost coverage. Huguet emphasizes the implications of these findings: "Even though they all started at the same baseline, the patients who lost insurance had worse outcomes. They needed more medications, raising the question: How can people manage complex diabetes treatment without coverage?"

The study indicates that while serious complications, such as amputations or kidney failure, were less common during the study period, this may be attributed to a limited follow-up time. "Serious complications don't happen overnight," Huguet cautions. "What we are observing is an early warning sign that the disease becomes harder to manage after insurance loss."

Implications for Medicaid and Community Health Centers

The findings are particularly alarming given the current climate in the U.S. As millions may potentially lose Medicaid coverage and face rising insurance premiums in 2026, Huguet warns about the long-term consequences. "Many people who lose Medicaid don’t regain coverage for a long time," she notes. "Marketplace plans are expensive, and insulin is still unaffordable for many people without insurance."

Community health centers, which provide discounted medications, are often reliant on Medicaid funding. As Jennifer DeVoe, M.D., D.Phil, a professor of family medicine at OHSU and co-author of the study, points out, "If Medicaid coverage shrinks, clinics will struggle to care for these patients. We need to increase support to primary care clinics so they can continue to serve their patients and minimize the damage of losing insurance."

Research like this reinforces the notion that coverage gaps are not merely administrative issues, but significant threats to health. Huguet's earlier work had already shown that low-income patients with diabetes are more likely to experience instability in their insurance coverage. The current study builds upon that foundation, emphasizing the critical need for access and continuity in healthcare.

“People without insurance are more likely to end up in the emergency department,” Huguet adds. “That can lead to life-changing outcomes, like amputations, and it ultimately costs more for patients and the entire health system.”

In summary, the OHSU study highlights a pressing issue for public health: the fragility of health insurance for low-income populations and the dire consequences for diabetes management. With potential policy shifts looming on the horizon, the urgency for comprehensive healthcare coverage has never been greater. This is not just an issue of health but one of equity, as millions of Americans navigate the complexities of a healthcare system where losing insurance can lead to life-threatening consequences.