Dive Brief:
- CMS' Office of the Actuary announced that expansion of the Diabetes Prevention Program would not only reduce net Medicare spending, but also improve quality of care without limiting coverage or benefits.
- There are 86 million Americans that are at a high-risk for developing diabetes who could potentially benefit from the program, according to the CDC.
- The program was launched in 2011 with $11.8 million in funding to the National Council of Y.M.C.A.s to enroll Medicare beneficiaries in eight states with a high risk for diabetes. It involved dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral changes to lower their diabetes risk.
Dive Insight:
Key results of the program include:
- Program enrollees lost about 5% of body weight - substantial enough to reduce the risk of future diabetes;
- More than 80% of enrollees attended at least four weekly sessions with a lifestyle coach;
- And Medicare estimated savings of $2,650 per enrollee in the program, compared to similar beneficiaries not in the program, over a 15-month period, enough to cover the program costs.
HHS said the study findings are relevant to employers and insurers interested in initiating diabetes prevention programs.
The American Medical Association's President-elect Dr. Andrew Gurman applauded HHS' decision to move toward a National Diabetes Prevention Program and said in a press release, "Today's announcement signifies an important step toward ensuring all Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes have access to the resources they need to prevent this debilitating disease."
Dr. Gurman added that the AMA has been working with the Y-USA since 2013 to increase the number of physicians who screen patients for prediabetes and refer them to local diabetes prevention programs offered at local YMCAs.
The group developed tools and resources through this collaboration for physicians to screen, test, and refer patients to the prevention programs. The AMA also has a diabetes prevention cost-savings calculator that illustrates potential benefits for employers and insurers for improving health outcomes while reducing costs.