# Understanding the PREVENT DIABETES Act

This bill makes it easier for people to access diabetes prevention programs through online and virtual options covered by Medicare. Right now, Medicare's diabetes prevention program mainly works through in-person classes and sessions. This bill would allow online diabetes prevention programs that have been approved by the CDC to participate in Medicare's program and get paid for their services, just like traditional in-person programs do.

Here's what this means in practical terms: if you're on Medicare and at risk for diabetes, you could take a CDC-approved diabetes prevention class from your home using your computer or phone instead of having to travel to a physical location. These virtual programs teach the same evidence-based strategies as in-person classes—things like diet changes, exercise, and weight management—to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The bill requires the government to update its rules by January 2022 to make this happen.

The bill also clarifies that virtual program providers won't face extra restrictions just because they operate online. For example, a virtual program provider in one state can serve Medicare patients in other states without running into regulatory problems. However, the bill does maintain quality standards—only programs that have earned full recognition from the CDC can participate, and they have to meet the same performance requirements as in-person programs.

For people with Medicare who are prediabetic or at high risk for diabetes, this could mean more convenient, accessible options for getting the preventive care they need. It removes geographic barriers that might have prevented someone from participating before, since you no longer need to live near a physical location offering these programs.

PREVENT DIABETES Act

Rice, Tom

Promoting Responsible and Effective Virtual Experiences through Novel Technology to Deliver Improved Access and Better Engagement with Tested and Evidence-based Strategies Act or the PREVENT DIABETES Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to allow online or virtual diabetes prevention programs that meet standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Expanded Model. The model provides CDC-approved training on dietary changes, physical activity, and other behavioral strategies for beneficiaries who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.