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, is excited to launch a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — funded initiative to address the financial burdens associated with pharmacies obtaining recognition and get more pharmacies offering National DPP to their patients. NCPA has recruited 18 pharmacies who will participate in this project.

Those 18 pharmacies will receive the following support:

• ADCES is providing the prerequisite lifestyle coach training approved by the CDC to select pharmacy staff who will deliver National DPP to their patients.

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