Out-of-pocket expenditure for patients with type 2 diabetes in a disease management program in Medellin, Colombia, 2019: a descriptive study

Objective: To measure out-of-pocket expenditures of patients with type 2 diabetes who attended an outpatient disease management program. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted among outpatients with type 2 diabetes who attended a disease management program between June 18 and July 18, 2019. We used a self-administered questionnaire on out-of-pocket expenses in the last three months, including calculating expenses dedicated to food for diabetics, laboratory tests, supplies, radiology, medical appointments, and transportation. Out-of-pocket expenses are measured as the sum of the money spent in each category. Data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies, means, and standard deviations. The values are shown in US dollars for 2019. Results: The average expenditure was $60.76 (SD: 154.1, minimum: $2.93; maximum: $1.500.26). Medication accounted for 38.29% of total expenses (mean: $23.11, SD: $47.95), followed by transportation at 21.27% (mean = 12.83, SD = 21.75). Conclusion: Despite the broad coverage of Colombian healthcare for chronic diseases, this expenditure could indicate problems with adequate access to the healthcare system, causing personal spending to improve the patient's health conditions.