Hello all Kentucky AADE members! We need your help.
Please support the advancement of the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Act in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. This important legislation improves access to diabetes self-management training for Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
The Expanding Access to DSMT Act
AADE worked with the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance and our congressional champions on the introduction of the Expanded Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Act in the 116th Congress.
Why is this bill important?
As diabetes educators, we know that self-management can be a path to a better quality of life. However, barriers within the Medicare benefit keep some of our most vulnerable citizens from accessing DSMT. The Expanding Access to DSMT Act (H.R. 1840 and S. 814) will reduce barriers and improve Medicare beneficiary access to DSMT services in the following ways:
Allows the initial 10 hours of DSMT during the first year to remain available until fully utilized. If there's a determination of medical necessity, then an additional 6 hours of training/ education may be added.
Allows 6 hours of DSMT in subsequent years, up from 2 hours.
Removes the restriction related to coverage of DSMT and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services furnished on the same day.
Excludes DSMT services from Part B cost-sharing and deductible requirements.
Permits physicians and qualified non-physician practitioners who are not directly involved in managing an individual's diabetes to refer them for DSMT services. Examples include podiatrists, specialists treating a comorbidity like gangrene or vision loss, or an emergency room doctor.
Revises the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual to allow DSMT services to be provided in a community-based location.
Establishes a 2-year demonstration of virtual DSMT, potentially paving the way for future Medicare coverage of virtual DSMT services.
Please use the following link to send letters to your congressman to encourage them to support this bill.
https://secure2.convio.net/aade/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=297
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at Bettybcde@yahoo.com.
Thank you.