# Plain Language Summary: Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2023

This bill makes it easier and more affordable for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes to get training and education on how to manage their condition. Right now, Medicare covers diabetes self-management training, but the coverage is limited and patients have to pay out-of-pocket costs. This bill removes those barriers by guaranteeing that Medicare will pay the full cost of these services with no copays or deductibles, and it gives patients more hours of training to use.

Specifically, the bill allows Medicare to cover an initial 10 hours of diabetes education and training services that a patient can use whenever they need them, plus up to 2 additional hours each year after that. These services can be provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, or other qualified healthcare professionals, and they can happen in person or through virtual visits. The bill also expands who can refer patients to these services—not just the main doctor managing their diabetes, but any healthcare provider involved in their care can make the referral. Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare will pay 100 percent of the cost for these services, eliminating the deductible and copayment requirements that currently discourage people from using them.

The bill also directs Medicare to test a new virtual diabetes training program to see if online diabetes education can improve health outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. This test will measure whether virtual training helps lower blood sugar levels, reduces hospital visits for diabetes complications, increases participation in diabetes education (especially in rural and underserved areas), and improves medication adherence. The goal is to gather evidence about whether expanding virtual options makes diabetes management more accessible and effective for Medicare patients who might otherwise struggle to attend in-person training sessions.

Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2023

Schrier, Kim

Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of diabetes outpatient self-management training. It also requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model in which such training is provided virtually.