Blogs

Changes Coming to Medicare Coverage Policy for CGMs

By Kate Thomas posted 10-16-2022
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On October 6, the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that oversee durable medical equipment announced proposed changes to the Medicare coverage policy (called a local coverage determination (LCD)) for CGMs, including removing the requirement that people must be on multiple (3) daily injections of insulin per day to be eligible for CGM. These changes would expand access to CGM for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. In July 2021, the MACs updated the CGM policy to remove the requirement that people check their blood glucose 4 times per day to be eligible for a CGM. They also changed “inject” insulin to “administer” insulin. Since then, ADCES and our ...
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Join ADCES on March 29 for the Next Advocacy Townhall Meeting Featuring Speakers from Prevent Blindness

By Kate Thomas posted 02-11-2022
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Join the next ADCES Advocacy Townhall on Tuesday, March 29 from 1:00-2:00pm CT/ 2:00-3:00pm ET/ 11-12pm PT. No registration required. On this call, we'll be joined by representatives from Prevent Blindness who will share information around their advocacy efforts and opportunities for alignment. ADCES will also provide advocacy updates and share plans for the 2022 Public Policy Forum. We also want to invite states to share "quick fire" updates- 1 minutes or less! We invite to share legislative information from your state. We also hope to have a discussion to assess challenges and lessons learned in advocacy! This will be a presentation on Microsoft Teams. ...
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2022 Advocacy Townhall Schedule: Tuesdays, March 29, June 21, September 13, and November 15

By Kate Thomas posted 02-02-2022
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The ADCES Advocacy Committee has announced the advocacy townhall schedule for 2022. We’ll host four quarterly virtual townhall meetings, each occurring on a Tuesday at 11:00am PT/1:00pm CT/ 2:00pm ET. The dates are as follows: March 29 June 21 September 13 November 15 What’s an advocacy townhall? Advocacy holds different meanings for different people. It can mean assisting a patient navigate their insurance plan or appeal a denial. It can mean speaking to legislators about a piece of legislation. It can mean trying to make a change to your state's Medicaid plan or even demonstrating the value of diabetes care and education specialists to your hospital ...
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National Clinical Care Commission Releases Final Report to Improve Federal Diabetes Policy

By Kate Thomas posted 02-02-2022
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On January 13, 2022, the National Clinical Care Commission (NCCC) released their long-awaited final report to Congress, entitled Leveraging Federal Programs to Prevent and Control Diabetes and Its Complications , which details evidence-based recommendations to improve and streamline federal diabetes policies related to awareness, prevention and treatment programs. The report is comprehensive and covers many policy areas including addressing social determinants of health, improving affordability and accessibility, and research and awareness. ADCES advocated for inclusion of many of the recommendations. A high-level overview of key recommendations that ...
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Quarterly ADCES Advocacy Update November 2021- January 2022

By Kate Thomas posted 02-02-2022
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The ADCES Advocacy Department has been actively engaged in advancing policies that support the work of the diabetes care and education specialist, improve health equity, reinforce the critical importance of diabetes education, and remove barriers that affect a person with diabetes from self-managing their diabetes. The following summary provides an overview of the main areas of focus for the Advocacy Department this quarter. Advancement of the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Act: ADCES and our consultants from Baker Donelson have been working with the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance (DAA) to advance the Expanding Access to DSMT ...
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CMS Finalizes Payment and MDPP and MNT Policy Changes for 2022

By Kate Thomas posted 11-23-2021
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On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule for calendar year 2022, which outlines the Medicare payment rates for 2022 and addresses other provisions including updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) and the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) benefit. The changes apply to Medicare Part B services furnished on or after January 1, 2022. ADCES has highlighted key provisions that may be of interest to members. Additional information can be found on the CMS fact sheet . There is also a separate fact sheet detailing proposed changes to the MDPP. ...
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Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment and $35 Insulin Options

By Kate Thomas posted 10-26-2021
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Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. During the time, Medicare beneficiaries can reevaluate their coverage for Original Medicare, Part D, or Medicare Advantage. They can make changes to their plan or purchase a new policy. This is an important time for beneficiaries to “shop around” and look at the costs of premiums, prescription drug coverage, pharmacies, plans, etc. Despite the importance of shopping around during the open enrollment period, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that 7 in 10 beneficiaries (71%) said they didn’t compare their coverage options for the upcoming year. Plans change from year to year and that ...
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Don't Miss the Last Advocacy Townhall of 2021- Join us on Tuesday, October 26! Meet the CEO of T1D Exchange and ADCES' New CEO!

By Kate Thomas posted 09-01-2021
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Don’t miss ADCES’ final Advocacy Townhall of 2021! This event will take place on Tuesday, October 26 from 1:00-2:00pm CT/ 2:00-3:00pm ET/ 11-12pm PT. No registration required. We are pleased to welcome special guest, Dave Walton, the CEO of T1D Exchange . Learn how T1D Exchange’s data platform is driving meaningful research, innovation in treatment, prevention and striving for a cure. We also hope to provide participants with an opportunity to meet and say “hi” to ADCES’ new CEO, Matt Hornberger. Join us in welcoming Matt and the advocacy work that you are all doing to improve care for people with diabetes and those at risk for diabetes! Participants are ...
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Looking Ahead to 2022: CMS Proposes Changes to MDPP and MNT

By Kate Thomas posted 07-22-2021
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On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule for calendar year 2022, which outlines the proposed Medicare payment rates for 2022 and addresses other provisions including updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) and the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) benefit. The proposed changes will be finalized in early November 2021 and will apply to Medicare Part B services furnished on or after January 1, 2022. The proposed rule is open for comment through September 13, 2021. ADCES is conducting a full analysis of the proposed rule and will submit comments to CMS ...
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Advocacy Townhall New Date: August 24

By Kate Thomas posted 06-25-2021
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Join the ADCES Advocacy Committee for their next Advocacy Townhall call on Tuesday, August 24 from 1:00-2:00pm CT/ 2:00-3:00pm ET/ 11-12pm PT. No registration required. Note, this meeting has been rescheduled from July 27. On this call, we'll be joined by representatives the College Diabetes Network who will be discussing their advocacy efforts and opportunities for collaboration. We’ll also discuss federal legislation, like the reintroduction of the Expanding Access to DSMT Act and bills to permanently expand telehealth, as well as recent updates to the Medicare clinical coverage criteria for CGMs and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule ...
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February 23 Advocacy Townhall: New Year, New Congress, New Administration- What you need to know!

By Kate Thomas posted 01-27-2021
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Join the ADCES Advocacy Committee on Tuesday, February 23 from 1:00-2:00pm CT/ 2:00-3:00pm ET/ 11-12pm PT for our first Advocacy Townhall meeting of the new year. No registration required. On this call, we'll hear from experts on what's happening in Washington and what we can expect with a new congress and administration. We'll also check-in on diabetes related legislation including the Expanding Access to DSMT Act and new rules around CGM. We'd also love to hear from you! Many states are working on state legislation and we invite you to share an update on the call if there's something you'd like to discuss. New to advocacy? Join us and listen! This will ...
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2021 Advocacy Townhall Schedule: February 23, April 27, July 27, October 26

By Kate Thomas posted 01-08-2021
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The ADCES Advocacy Committee has announced the advocacy townhall schedule for 2021. We’ll host four quarterly virtual townhall meetings, each occurring on a Tuesday at 11:00am PT/1:00pm CT/ 2:00pm ET. The dates are as follows: February 23 April 27 July 27 October 26 What’s an advocacy townhall? Advocacy holds different meanings for different people. It can mean assisting a patient navigate their insurance plan or appeal a denial. It can mean speaking to legislators about a piece of legislation. It can mean trying to make a change to your state's Medicaid plan or even demonstrating the value of diabetes care and education specialists to your ...
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Diabetes Care and Education Specialists are ALL Advocates!

By Jane Kadohiro posted 11-02-2020
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Blog Jane K Kadohiro, DrPH, APRN, CDCES, FADCES October 29, 2020 Aloha! Hard to believe that it is NOVEMBER already! November is American Diabetes Month (ADA), National Diabetes Education Week (ADCES, November 1-7), and World Diabetes Day (IDF, November 14). And most people do see November as THE “Advocacy month” of the year. As we head to the polls on our country’s designated election day, I do hope that as an American you will (or have already!) exercised your absolute right and responsibility … and PRIVILEGE … to vote! Our elected officials are, indeed, so very important in our lives, but as diabetes care and education specialists, we are ALL such ...
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Learn about GetInsulin.org on our November 17 Advocacy Townhall Call

By Kate Thomas posted 10-22-2020
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Join the ADCES Advocacy Committee on Tuesday, November 17 from 1:00-2:00pm CT/ 2:00-3:00pm ET/ 11-12pm PT for our next Advocacy Townhall meeting. We are excited to welcome Christel Aprigliano, the Chief Advocacy Officer at Beyond Type 1. Christel is going to walk us through everything we need to know about GetInsulin.org. This webpage is an exciting new resource that connects all the insulin-related assistance programs from various manufacturers, governmental agencies, non-profits, etc. in one place. This will be a presentation on Microsoft Teams (there is also a dial-in option): Join Microsoft Teams Meeting +1 312-319-1605 (Toll) Conference ID: ...
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Help ADCES Kick-off Advocacy Week! Join the September 29 Advocacy Townhall Call

By Kate Thomas posted 08-14-2020
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The ADCES Advocacy Committee will be hosting our quarterly Advocacy Townhall conference call on Tuesday, September 29 11:00am PT/1:00pm CT/ 2:00pm ET. Learn more about ADCES Advocacy Week and register to participate in ADCES’ 2020 Virtual Public Policy Forum (September 30) and Virtual Hill Day (October 5 and 6). There is no need to sign-up. This call is open to all ADCES advocates who want to hear updates, ask questions, and talk about advocacy. Our next Advocacy Townhall will take place on Tuesday, November 17, where we’ll conduct a State Advocacy Workshop! Mark You Calendars. Below is the call info: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting +1 312-319-1605 ...
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ADCES Advocacy Telehealth Updates: CMS Removes Restrictions around RNs and Pharmacists Furnishing DSMT via Telehealth

By Kate Thomas posted 08-11-2020
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CMS Removes Restrictions around RNs and Pharmacists Furnishing DSMT via Telehealth In early August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated guidance clarifying that accredited and recognized diabetes self-management training (DSMT) programs, eligible to bill Medicare Part B directly for DSMT services, may furnish and bill for DSMT services provided via telehealth during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Adding DSMT programs to list of “professionals” eligible to provide telehealth services removes the final regulatory barriers preventing registered nurses (RNs) and pharmacists from furnishing DSMT services ...
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Building Your Advocacy Knowledge and Skills During ADCES20

By Sara (Mandy) Reece posted 08-11-2020
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I bet that you are excited about the upcoming ADCES20...only a few days away! I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open presents. As diabetes care and education specialists, we fill our toolkits through the knowledge and skills we gain through the ADCES conferences each year, and this year will be no exception. So, you may not immediately identify the connection between building your advocacy (for persons with diabetes and our specialty) skills and knowledge through ADCES20. No worries. I will share with you the connection. An easy place to start is at the ADCES booth in the virtual exhibit hall. There, you’ll find some great resources and tools ...
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Register Now! ADCES Advocacy Week and Virtual 2020 Public Policy Forum: September 29- October 6, 2020

By Kate Thomas posted 08-06-2020
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ADCES Advocacy Week and Virtual 2020 Public Policy Forum September 29- October 6, 2020 Due to the pandemic, ADCES has shifted its annual in-person Public Policy Forum, originally scheduled for May 2020, to a virtual event. The good news? Since we are going virtual, ADCES is able to open up this event to all ADCES members! Additionally, the 2020 Virtual Public Policy Forum will take place during ADCES’ Advocacy Week kicking off on Tuesday September 29. During ADCES’ Advocacy Week, we’ll provide opportunities for ADCES members to learn about what’s happening on Capitol Hill and discuss important issues. We will also be hosting a “Hill Day” on Monday, ...
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The FDA Issues Alert about Certain Extended-Release Metformin Products

By Kate Thomas posted 06-12-2020
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On May 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the agency’s laboratory testing revealed levels of the nitrosamine impurity N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) above the FDA’s acceptable intake limit in several lots of the extended-release (ER) formulation of metformin. The FDA has been in contact with five firms to recommend they voluntarily recall their products. A number of companies have already issued voluntary nationwide recalls on ER formulation of metformin. Company recall notices will be posted on FDA’s website . This is the FDA’s “Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alert site.” To find out about metformin (ER) recalls, enter “metformin” ...
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What is Advocacy?

By Suzanne Lohnes posted 06-11-2020
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I am often asked what drew me to advocacy. The definition of advocacy is “speaking up for another person, place or thing”. I believe it has always been my calling to speak up for injustices. In the recent days, I have been thinking a lot about this and remember my first time standing up for someone. In elementary school one of my classmates was being excluded from play because she looked different than the rest of us. That night at our dinner table I shared the story and that I was upset, did not understand, and remember feeling better when my dad said he would speak to our principal the next day, so this does not continue to happen. Now that is a childhood ...
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