I would not promote or mislead anyone that licensure will lead to change in the ability to bill for DSME/T. As it stands now, both ADA and AADE credentialed DSME/T programs are what earns the reimbursement, not the staff teaching them. We would all like, one day, to be recognized by CMS for being the "qualified healthcare provider in diabetes care," but we are not. Also, CMS is a Federal program; licensure initiatives are State programs. Without licensure, without a legal scope of practice, they are not likely to ever come together.
The licensed diabetes educator, not the certified diabetes educator, will carry the legal scope of practice. Everyone who is a CDE or a BC-ADM, will be grandfathered into licensure for the minimal cost. Yes, there will be a cost, less than $100 to the best of our ability, but with it comes the professionalism and recognition by providers and public alike. Ultimately, there may be recognition by third party payers as we carry evidence based practice with proven outcomes for our services. Continuing the high standard of quality education will secure for us continued positive outcome studies and data validating the work we do. Don't water down the standards of care or be tempted to veer off the course of proven outcomes. What is exciting to me is the role of the credentialed diabetes educator in primary care - changing lives where diabetes care occurs! (Attend our 5th Annual State Conference in Harrisburg, April 21-22, 2016 to learn more).
In my most recent few weeks of work as an inpatient diabetes care coordinator, I have had two young adults under 20 years diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with A1Cs in the 13% range. Both in college, economically secure and socially aware, with strong family histories. Where was the lifestyle intervention years back that may have prevented or staved off diabetes? They weigh #285 and #245 respectively with borderline sleep apnea. I had another, age 28, with an MI and three stents! Overweight, not obese, newly diagnosed diabetes with an A1C of 12%. He asked if he was my youngest to have had suffered this, and indeed he was.
I can’t be the only one seeing this in practice. Please share your stories. Share them with family and friends first, expanding your comfort level in advocacy. Share your stories here with colleagues by replying to threads in the MYAADE Network. Then, share your stories with your local Pennsylvania Representative. On November 18, 2015, Pat Adams and I were in the East Rotunda of the Capitol in Harrisburg celebrating World Diabetes Day (#WDD2015) with the Diabetes Action Network and others campaigning for increased awareness and prevention of diabetes! There was some energy in that event! Check out our Facebook- Pennsylvania Diabetes Educators- to learn more. State Representative Will Tallman of the 193rd District is our sponsor for licensing diabetes educators. Language is actively being drafted. There will be a House Bill number soon that we will share with you in the days to come.
Share your stories. Legislators share they have the data about diabetes. What they wish to hear are real life stories of how their constituents are affected, families are changed, ultimately impacting the health and wellness of our communities.