Multimorbidity patterns by payer status: more challenges, more opportunities

Abstract

This study examined how health payer status influences patterns of coexisting chronic diseases in US adults. Participants in safety-net programs showed higher multimorbidity rates, while the uninsured exhibited the most pronounced disease clustering. This clustering intensified with an increase in coexisting conditions, suggesting shared underlying pathways. Clinicians can improve outcomes by targeting these shared mechanisms—especially metabolic dysfunction—through integrated preventive care.