Lifestyle change programs offered through the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) are designed to help participants make lasting behavior changes such as eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and improving skills to cope with stress.

While community pharmacies are in an ideal position to deliver and expand the National DPP, there are several costs associated with participation and ultimately obtaining recognition. Without even considering applying to become a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program supplier to earn the ability to bill Medicare for classes, these costs include: lifestyle coach training, data collection, and patient recruitment/retention.

NCPA, in collaboration with the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) and OmniSYS, launched a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — funded initiative addressing the financial burdens associated with pharmacies obtaining recognition and get more pharmacies offering National DPP to their patients. Starting in 2020, NCPA recruited over 40 pharmacies to participate in the initiative.

Those pharmacies received the following support:

• NCPA provided financial incentives and support to the pharmacies to stay on track to receiving preliminary recognition.

• ADCES provided the prerequisite lifestyle coach training approved by the CDC to select pharmacy staff who delivered National DPP to their patients.

• OmniSYS made their platform available to participating pharmacies. The platform facilitates intervention, documentation, and education for submission to CDC to obtain preliminary recognition status. All documentation adhered strictly to the parameters set forth by the HIPAA Privacy Compliance Agreement for Business Associates.