Out-of-pocket Expenditure of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in a Disease Management Program in Medellín, 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-admi-nistered questionnaire on out-of-pocket expenses in the last three months, including calculating ex-penses 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 devia-tions. 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 trans-portation at 21.27% (mean = 12.83, SD = 21.75).Conclusion: Despite the broad coverage of Colombian healthcare for chronic diseases, this expen-diture could indicate problems with adequate access to the healthcare system, causing personal spending to improve the patient’s health conditions.