Frequently asked questions

The National DPP lifestyle change program is based on a 2002 research trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed a 58% reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes in participants who went through a structured lifestyle intervention compared to those who received placebo treatment at an average follow-up of three years. Since this study, the program has been successfully translated into a variety of settings and patient populations and been adapted to be delivered through digital and distance learning modalities. 

For more information about the evidence supporting the National DPP lifestyle change program, click here.

The national registry of recognized diabetes prevention programs lists contact information for all CDC-recognized organizations that deliver evidence-based type 2 diabetes prevention programs in communities across the United States. All of these programs have agreed to use a CDC-approved curriculum that meets the duration, intensity, and reporting requirements described in the DPRP standards.  To find a program located near you, click here. 

While weight loss is a goal of this program, the program is  designed to help participants make sustainable healthy lifestyle changes to lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve their overall health. 

The CDC has developed a retention toolkit to assist with participant retention throughout the course of the 12 month program.

Lifestyle coaches for lifestyle change programs help motivate participants to stick with the program and reach their health goals. The CDC has a new web-based resource designed to be there for participants when the lifestyle coach can’t be. It will help participants keep their commitments and feel encouraged.  Click here to be linked to the CDC's retention toolkit. 

Many health care organizations require a data use agreement or a business associate agreement.  Consult with your legal council or your compliance officer.  

The AMA created a resource with suggestions and guidance on how to use your electronic health record (EHR) and technology to improve the care you provide patients with prediabetes. Click here for more information. 

No, as outlined in CDC's 2018 DPRP Standards, the National DPP allows a maximum of 65% of a program's participants to be considered eligible without a blood test or history of GDM if they screen positive for prediabetes based on the CDC prediabetes screening test.  The screening test can be found here. 

A minimum of 35% of a program's participants must have had a recent (within the past year) blood test (may be self-reported) or claim code indicating they have prediabetes or history of GDM based on one of the following specifications: 1) Fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dl; 2) plasma glucose measured 2 hours after a 75 gm glucose load of 140 to 199 mg/dl; 3) A1c of 5.7 to 6.4; 4) Clinically diagnosed GDM during a previous pregnancy (may be self reported).  

Medicare participants can also self-referral but need to have a current blood test as outlined above to be eligible for coverage. The fasting glucose result for eligibility is 110-125 mg/dl. 

The AMA recommends creating a multidisciplinary project team comprised of team members who are involved in clinical practice, have continued support/buy-in from system leaders, are responsible for overseeing the planning and organizing of tasks to implement the initiative, and can navigate across the departments/business units within the health care organization.

Yes. The AMA’s Diabetes Prevention Cost Savings Calculator allows health care organizations, payers and employers to customize anticipated enrollment and completion rates, based on their experiences with other programs, and looks at the potential immediately avoidable spend for those organizations that have high employee/member turnover.

There are a variety of key considerations to address when selecting an external National DPP lifestyle change program provider. This ranges from insurance coverage availability, program accessibility for your patient population, the program provider's ability/willingness to send participant data to the referring provider, etc.  

In addition, to key considerations it will be important to consult your HIPAA compliance officer to determine if a BAA is needed to share referral information with the lifestyle change program provider.  You should also create a  data use/PHI sharing agreements with outside entities offering treatment outside the medical setting. We recommend you contact your compliance officer or legal department for direction.

To learn more about the key considerations needed to select and formalize a relationship with an external lifestyle change program, register for the AMA's diabetes prevention digital experience.

There are a variety of key considerations to address when making the decision to either refer into an external lifestyle change program or create a lifestyle change program for your health care organization to offer.  These key considerations range from program alignment with your existing preventive health and population health offerings to cost and logistical items. 

The AMA has worked with several health care organizations on deciding how to offer this program.  To have free access to the AMA's best practices, and to learn more about the key considerations needed to make this decision, click here. You will be directed to complete an assessment which will populate a personalized guided process to create a diabetes prevention strategy.  

The CDC has a dedicated website that outlines the application and recognition process. For more information, check here.

In our experience one coach can typically manage 3 - 4 cohorts.  For more information, visit the CDC's website here.

CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs must have lifestyle coaches who are trained to use a CDC-approved curriculum and who have the knowledge and skills to effectively deliver the program. The minimum recommended length of training for new lifestyle coahces is at least 12 hours or two days. The lifestyle coach’s ability to support participants, provide guidance, and help groups work together effectively is essential for a successful lifestyle change program.  A successful coach is able to energize the group and encourage lasting behavior changes. The CDC does not require certification or credentialing for Lifestyle Coaches and the coaches do not have to be licensed health care professionals. For more information about the CDC training requirements, click here. 

This is determined by your budget, the availability of coaches and the number of referrals received. 

While there is no minimum number of participants required to hold a class, CDC recommends recognized organizations begin each cohort with 10-15 participants. 

This is to allow for unforeseen circumstances that may result in a loss of participants. The 2018 DPRP Standards state that a CDC-recognized organization must have at least five eligible participants in each six-month data submission (this could include multiple individual class cohorts) who attended their first session at least 12 months but not more than 18 months before the submission due date, attended at least three core sessions in months one through six, and have had session dates that span at least nine months in order for the evaluation of their data to result in the achievement of preliminary or full recognition. Please review the 2018 DPRP Standards for further information, found here: 

Yes, you can offer to both patients and employees.  To learn more about the key considerations needed to create a diabetes prevention strategy for both your patients and your employees, click here. 

Yes. Class participants can be 18 and older and include a mix of Medicare and non-Medicare eligible participants.  

The AMA has developed Identification and Management protocols that use a step-wise approach to guide physicians and care teams in accurately identifying patients with prediabetes and managing them with an evidence-based treatment option.  Click here for more information. 

The AMA Ed Hub makes it easy for physicians to find, take, track and report education relevant to their needs and interests.  Currently featuring JN Learning™ (CME from the JAMA Network™), STEPS Forward™ and other signature AMA education, the AMA Ed Hub provides meaningful education to improve care. If you are interested in additional activities click here. 

To gain CDC recognition, your organization must show that it can meet the CDC standards and effectively deliver a proven diabetes prevention lifestyle change program.  The CDC has created a video resource to assist with the process to submit evaluation data to the DPRP.  To watch the CDC Technical Assistance video, click here. 

For the list of standards, click here. 

You can consider measuring additional outcomes besides those required for CDC recognition. Examples include laboratory tests like the A1C or lipid panels, biometric data such as weight circumference and blood pressure or other outcomes like patient satisfaction. Your project team can identify what additional outcomes you may want to track, the process for collecting and analyzing outcomes, and other key stakeholders you would need to involve to do this during the planning stages of your diabetes prevention strategy.