Industry Insider News

CMS Announces Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
The 2019 Medicare & You Handbook includes information on the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), a new Medicare-covered service. Healthcare providers can assist their patients in the prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes and help them to better understand their treatment options through this reference guide. For more information, the following resources are available:

• Review materials from the Sept. 26 Medicare Learning Network call.¹

• Become familiar with beneficiary eligibility criteria and coverage;² screen at-risk patients for eligibility.

• Access the MDPP supplier map³ or view a list of all current MDPP suppliers;⁴ refer eligible patients to a nearby MDPP supplier.

• Visit the related MDPP Expanded Model resource tool online.⁵ 

References 

1. Royer E. Medicare diabetes prevention program: new covered service. CMS. 2018. Accessed online: www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/outreach/npc/downloads/2018-09-26-mdpp-call-presentation.pdf

2. Medicare diabetes prevention program (MDPP) beneficiary eligibility fact sheet. CMS. Accessed online: https://innovation.cms.gov/files/fact-sheet/mdpp-beneelig-fs.pdf

3. Map of MDPP suppliers furnishing MDPP services. CMS. Accessed online: https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/medicare-diabetes-prevention-program/mdpp-map.html

4. Medicare diabetes prevention program. CMS. Accessed online: https://data.cms.gov/Special-Programs-Initiatives/Medicare-Diabetes-Prevention-Program/vwz3-d6x2

5. Medicare diabetes prevention program (MDPP) expanded model. CMS 2018. Accessed online: https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/medicare-diabetes-prevention-program 
 

Artificial Intelligence Evolving for Diabetes Care?
According to a report recently published by MedPage Today, the treatment of diabetes will benefit from the evolving of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for disease management. Crediting existing technology, such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, the use of AI, which is generally defined as intelligence demonstrated by machines (as opposed to natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals), has primed the advancement of disease management. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, the greatest impact could be most felt in the collection of data and through the use of the artificial pancreas, a device that controls blood glucose levels through an external insulin pump and a subcutaneous sensor that was first approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 2016. According to recent estimates, the artificial pancreas market is expected to reach $360 million by 2023, the MedPage report states.