Advocacy Tools and Resources
Tools
Studies support DSMT Value and Cost Effectiveness
Recent studies provide additional compelling evidence that DSMT programs, involving a health team approach that includes Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs), not only significantly reduces overall health costs but also improves health outcomes.
These findings support the critical need for Congress to enact legislation to include CDEs as Medicare providers of DSMT, in order to enhance access to DSMT care that directly impacts diabetes health outcomes and saves money.
Communicating the issue with Congress
AADE can provide you with valuable information and fact sheets to help you communicate to your Members of Congress the need and justification for the CDE to be recognized as a Medicare DSMT provider.
Cost Estimation of CDE Provision
Dobson DaVanzo & Associates, LLC (Dobson | DaVanzo) was commissioned by the American Association of Diabetes Educators to create a cost estimate of the CDE provision over the ten year period from 2011 (when the legislation would be implemented) through 2020 using Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scoring methodology. The proposed legislation designates Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) as Medicare providers of Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT). Currently, DSMT programs must be accredited, and operate as distinct entities within a facility, such as a hospital. The DSMT benefit is thought to be underutilized, and many individuals living with diabetes lack access to a DSMT program. Medicare recognition of CDEs as DSMT providers would promote quality and better access to care for diabetes education.
Resources
Communicating with Congress
The Congressional Management Foundation has been working on a project to address "the communication barriers" between constituents, members of Congress and their staff for nearly a decade. The results of this project can be found in the "Communicating with Congress" series, which includes How Capitol Hill is Coping with the Surge in Citizen Advocacy , Recommendations for Improving the Democratic Dialogue and How the Internet Has Changed Citizen Engagement . Read the complete overview.
Library of Congress (THOMAS)
The Library of Congress has made it easy to get updates on federal legislation.
Capitol Hill Basics
Archive
H.R. 3590 CDE Provision Position Paper
When the Medicare DSMT benefit was established in 1997, most diabetes education took place in hospital outpatient settings. As hospital programs have closed in recent years, it has become more imperative that we ensure access to DSMT care in CMS approved non-hospital settings. A legislative clarification is the only viable solution to ensure that CDEs are considered Medicare providers of DSMT and are thus able to seek reimbursement for DSMT in non-hospital settings.
The provision is CBO- scored as budget neutral. In addition, a large body of evidence indicates that DSMT as taught by a CDE actually reduces health expenditures and ‘bends the cost curve.'