Medicare Participants Now Eligible for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program
The YMCA of Delaware is expanding the availability of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to eligible Medicare participants as a covered benefit. The YMCA’s DPP is a group-based lifestyle intervention for adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes that has been shown to reduce the number of new cases of diabetes by 58 percent overall and by 71 percent in adults over 60.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 84 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes, yet only 10 percent are aware they have the condition. Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Having prediabetes means a person has elevated blood glucose levels that are not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
The YMCA of Delaware becomes one of the first organizations in the country certified to offer a diabetes prevention program as a covered Medicare benefit, vastly expanding the access to the more than 196,363 Medicare participants in the State of Delaware, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“Prediabetes is a preventable condition if people, especially older-adults, make behavioral changes such as increasing physical activity and eating healthier foods,” said Tricia Jefferson, RD, Director of Programs and Partnerships for the YMCA of Delaware. “Expanding access of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program to Medicare eligible participants will help improve the health and well-being of our community.”
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program consisting of 25 group sessions. In a relaxed classroom setting, a trained Lifestyle Coach helps participants learn skills that will help them incorporate healthy eating, increasing physical activity and other behavior changes into their everyday lives. The goals of the program are 5 to 7 percent weight loss and an increase in physical activity to 150 minutes per week.
In Delaware the YMCA has served approximately 2,000 participants, in all 3 counties, with an 82 percent retention rate. Additionally, program participants achieve an average weight loss of 5 percent and 187 minutes of physical activity per week.
To be eligible for this program, participants must be at least 18 years old with a BMI of 25 or greater (BMI of 23 or greater for Asian individuals) and at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed with prediabetes. Persons under 18 and those diagnosed with diabetes do not qualify. Medicare participants may have additional eligibility requirements. A Y membership is not required for participation. For more information about this program contact the Healthy Living Department at (302) 572-9622 or visit https://www.ymcade.org/preventdiabetes/.
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About the YMCA of Delaware
The YMCA of Delaware is Delaware’s largest non-profit organization committed to strengthening the citizens of Delaware through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With seven branches statewide and an overnight camp and conference center in Worton, Maryland, the Y has developed long-standing relationships and a physical presence in Delaware so it can deliver lasting personal and social change. We are committed to serving everyone – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of every child and teen, improve Delaware’s health and wellbeing and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. www.ymcade.org.