The Diabetes Prevention Program – Help for Prediabetic Members

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a structured lifestyle and health behavior change program with the goal of preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals who are prediabetic. The 12-month program — certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — includes:

• Choice of an in-person classroom setting or an online/mobile app program
• 16 “core” sessions
• Monthly follow-up meetings

The program’s primary goal is to help participants achieve at least five percent (5%) average weight loss. According to the CDC, losing five percent of your weight can help prevent diabetes.

Highmark has partnered exclusively with two vendors to deliver the Diabetes Prevention Program. Members can choose the in-person classroom program available at participating YMCA locations or the online program through Livongo Retrofit.^SM

Program Eligibility Criteria

Eligible members must be at least 18 years of age and meet criteria of being “prediabetic,” which includes:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater
• Fasting blood glucose of 100-125mg/dl
• No previous diagnosis of diabetes,

Members may also be identified as at-risk via the CDC risk screening questionnaire tool available on the YMCA and Livongo Retrofit websites as part of the enrollment process.

YMCA’S Classroom Program – In-Person

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. The program is led by a trained Lifestyle Coach in a classroom setting over a 12-month period.

Retrofit’s Online/Mobile Program

Retrofit’s online 12-month Diabetes Prevention Program provides personalized coaching from experienced clinicians through online sessions, personalized one-on-one coaching, tracking tools, and peer support.

What You Can Do

If you have patients who are prediabetic, encourage them to learn more about DPP by visiting their Highmark member website and selecting the Diabetes Prevention link. The Diabetes Prevention Program page has information about prediabetes, risk factors, and the YMCA and Retrofit program options.

Once patients select a program link, they then complete a risk assessment — the CDC Prediabetes Screening Test — to determine whether they qualify for the program. If they qualify, they will receive further instructions on how to enroll.

For a printable Diabetes Prevention Program flier to post in your office or share with patients, click here .