If you are a data junkie like myself, we understand the importance of data and numbers to make informed decisions and influence policy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched an interactive Diabetes Prevention Impact Toolkit that predicts the health and economic effects of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) on a state, employer, or insurer’s population at risk for diabetes. This toolkit allows users to estimate program costs, diabetes-related medical costs for both direct and indirect costs, as well as outcome measures. The impact toolkit is comprised of three modules: State, Employer, and Insurers. In each category, populations can be predefined or customized to a set of population characteristics for the respective dashboard. For Coordinating Bodies who are actively involved in advocacy and legislative efforts, I encourage this toolkit for you.
Similarly, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), in partnership with the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation also put forth a toolkit titled, National Diabetes Prevention Program Coverage Toolkit, that contains resources and information to support health insurance plans, employers, and state Medicaid agencies in making the decision to cover the National DPP lifestyle change program.
John Robitscher, CEO of NACDD, states, “NACDD understands the need to increase access to evidence-based prevention programs when addressing chronic disease in this country. Our goal is to provide answers to common questions public and private payers ask about the program, such as how to determine eligibility, how to code and bill, and how to represent the program’s services in contract language, among others.” As CDEs and public health practitioners, we understand the importance of diabetes prevention and the impact of future federal, state, and local policies play for the continuation of preventative programs, such as the DPP.
Equally important, both AADE and ADA have also developed the AADE/ADA Joint Position Statement Toolkit aimed at assisting diabetes educators with implementing recommendations for diabetes self-management education programs. The toolkit is inclusive, but not limited to an algorithm of care with its respective action steps to support the management of adults with type 2 diabetes.
To my diabetes educators, I encourage you to explore these toolkits as an added value to your box of tricks.
Sincerely,
Omar A. Contreras, DrPH(c), MPH
Technology Leader
Arizona Coordinating Body of AADE