Let’s Talk Legislation: How Diabetes Educators Can Work to Improve Access to Diabetes Care for Medicare Beneficiaries

Abstract

As diabetes educators, we know that utilization of our services is much too low, especially with Medicare beneficiaries. Despite the proven benefits and the fact that diabetes self-management training (DSMT) services have been a covered Medicare benefit since 1997, estimates suggest that less than 5% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries use these services. Why is this benefit so underutilized? Our research has shown that as written, the Medicare DSMT benefit falls short of meeting people with diabetes where they are in their health care journey. Key findings include: