First-Year Results Demonstrate a 27 Percent Decline in Rate of Preventable Hospital Admissions for Medtronic Insulin Pump Users Compared to Patients on Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin
DUBLIN - July 10, 2018 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT ) and UnitedHealthcare today announced first year results from an innovative value-based relationship focused on delivering patient-centered solutions that improve health outcomes while reducing soaring healthcare costs related to managing diabetes.
Results from an analysis of over 6,000 members with diabetes on Medtronic MiniMed(TM) 630G and previous generation insulin pumps demonstrated 27 percent fewer preventable hospital admissions compared to plan participants who are on multiple daily injections of insulin (MDI). The analysis included a mix of members utilizing both standalone insulin pumps and pumps integrated with continuous glucose monitors (CGM).
"These positive results provide further evidence of the benefits of both automated insulin delivery and of value-based healthcare models" said Hooman Hakami, executive vice president and president of the Diabetes Group at Medtronic. "Through this unique partnership, Medtronic and UnitedHealthcare have demonstrated a commitment by both organizations to prioritize innovation that improves health outcomes and lowers healthcare costs. At Medtronic, our commitment is to drive innovation with the clear objective of delivering demonstrable value to patients and to the healthcare system. Our hope is that this agreement is just the beginning and that the entire healthcare community follows UnitedHealthcare's lead to not only champion innovation in diabetes that has a clear and measurable tie to better outcomes and lower cost, but to also drive business models that reward those results as they are achieved."
In 2016, UnitedHealthcare and Medtronic announced an expanded relationship that gave UnitedHealthcare members with diabetes access to advanced insulin pump technologies and comprehensive support services offered by Medtronic. These offerings currently include the company's most advanced MiniMed(TM) 670G hybrid closed loop system featuring SmartGuard(TM) technology and Guardian(TM) Sensor 3 - the only system able to automate the delivery of a personalized amount of basal insulin every 5 minutes based on real-time sensor glucose values. The first-year results reported today are from the measurement period of July 2016 through June 2017 and do not include use of Medtronic's newest insulin pump, the MiniMed 670G system, which was commercially launched at the end of the measurement period. A growing and compelling body of both real-world and clinical trial data on the MiniMed 670G system demonstrate significantly improved Time in Range (the percentage of time spent in the optimal glycemic range of 70-180 mg/dL), A1C (a marker of blood sugar control over time) and Quality of Life for people using the system instead of MDI to manage their Type 1 diabetes. 1 SmartGuard technology is the only algorithm with the ability to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia by 44 percent, stabilize A1C at recommended levels, and minimize blood sugar variability. 2 Based on these data, we anticipate further clinical outcome improvements over the duration of the relationship.
This data reflects first year results of a multiyear initiative between UnitedHealthcare and Medtronic. Both quality of care and cost will continue to be closely evaluated over the duration of the relationship, providing additional opportunities for more people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare plans to better manage their diabetes and for quality care to be delivered in a more cost-effective manner.
"These results show that patients with diabetes can benefit from using insulin pumps and comprehensive support services, thereby increasing the quality of the care they receive and reducing hospital admissions as well as costs," said Peter Pronovost, M.D., chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare. "The first-year results are encouraging, and we will monitor patients using Medtronic pump therapies to ensure we continue to see improved quality of care, fewer hospitalizations, and lower costs."
Care providers nationwide are showing strong interest in a shift to value-based care. UnitedHealthcare's total payments to physicians and hospitals that are tied to value-based arrangements have grown in the last three years to $65 billion. By the end of 2020, UnitedHealthcare expects that figure to reach $75 billion. For more information about UnitedHealthcare's changing relationships with care providers and how value-based programs are helping to improve quality and people's health, visit www.UHC.com/valuebasedcare and download the Value-based Care Report .
About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.2 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at http://www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter.
About the Diabetes Group at Medtronic ( www.medtronicdiabetes.com ) Medtronic is working together with the global community to change the way people manage diabetes. The company aims to transform diabetes care by expanding access, integrating care, and improving outcomes, so people living with diabetes can enjoy greater freedom and better health.
About Medtronic Medtronic plc ( www.medtronic.com ), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services, and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 86,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals, and patients in more than 150 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
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1 Agrawal, P, Stone, M, et al. Real-world Data from the MiniMed(TM) 670G System Commercial Launch, ADA, June 2018.
2 Bergenstal RM, Klonoff DC, Garg SK, et al. Threshold-based insulin-pump interruption for reduction of hypoglycemia. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(3):224-232.
Contacts: Janet Cho Medtronic Public Relations +1-818-576-5014 Ryan Weispfenning Medtronic Investor Relations +1-763-505-4626 Keely Brenno UnitedHealthcare Public Relations +1-952-979-7301
