The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has named HealthInsight as one of 10 recipients nationwide of a five-year cooperative agreement worth $6.8 million to expand coverage of and participation in the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program. Through the National Diabetes Prevention Program, public and private organizations work collectively to build the infrastructure for the delivery of an evidence-based lifestyle change program for people with prediabetes or who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The structured yearlong lifestyle change program focuses on long-term changes and lasting results.
HealthInsight is partnering with a broad array of groups to increase infrastructure and reach of in-person and online CDC-recognized organizations in 23 rural, underserved counties in New Mexico, Oregon and Utah. An emphasis will be on reaching priority populations, with specific focus on engaging Medicare beneficiaries, American Indian and Latino individuals. The company has been working in its region specifically to promote uptake and spread of diabetes self-management education opportunities in disadvantaged communities since 2014 and has conducted projects supporting diabetes care and served as a neutral convener of health care and community stakeholders for many years.
"We are excited to engage in such vital prevention work in our communities," said Marc Bennett, president and CEO of HealthInsight. "We’re building on our existing work with diabetes self-management education, and we are confident that by moving further upstream we can slow the progression and reduce toll of this disease in our communities."
HealthInsight will provide technical assistance, training and financial support to new program providers. They will implement value-based pilots with health plans and employers to develop the business case for making the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change series a covered benefit for their employees or members. Regional, virtual learning sessions will be held for stakeholders and partners, which will include training on how to become a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program supplier and bill for their services, and opportunities to share challenges and best practices.
Prediabetes is a growing national health care concern affecting one in three adults. Without lifestyle changes to reduce weight and increase physical activity, a significant number of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Those who eat healthy and become more active can cut their risk of getting type 2 diabetes in half. Recent increased health coverage for evidence-based lifestyle change programs by insurers and planned coverage by Medicare in January 2018 provide an environment conducive to expanding the CDC National Diabetes Program.
The effective date of the contract is Oct. 1, 2017. For more information on the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program visit cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention.
