In the proposed 2017 physician fee schedule, the CMS suggests expanding a program aimed at helping people avoid diabetes. The CMS suggests starting the program in 2018 and is seeking comment on whether to launch the effort nationally or in additional select markets.
The program began in 2013 and enrolled beneficiaries in eight states: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Texas. It is the first from the CMS Innovation Center, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, to be proven successful enough to be elevated from a demonstration and rolled out to the full Medicare program. The ACA allows the CMS to expand programs that prove effective without the approval of Congress.
As part of the effort, beneficiaries receive coaching and lifestyle intervention and are encouraged to engage in moderate physical activity, all with the goal of preventing the onset of diabetes in individuals who are pre-diabetic.
Participating programs, which need to be recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would have to enroll in Medicare beginning Jan. 1, 2017.
