Key points
Learn about details and key features of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program for your patients.
National DPP lifestyle change program
The National DPP lifestyle change program runs for 1 year. In the first 6 months, your patients will meet weekly for 1 hour to learn about:
- Healthy eating without giving up all the foods they love.
- Adding physical activity into their schedules.
- Dealing with stress.
- Coping with challenges that can derail their progress.
- Getting back on track if they stray from their plan.
In the second 6 months, they will meet monthly for 1 hour to build on the skills they've learned and maintain their positive changes. They will review key concepts such as setting goals, tracking food and physical activity, staying motivated, and overcoming barriers. The second 6 months is essential to help your patients stick with new habits.
Over the course of 1 year, the lifestyle change program offers about 24 hours of instruction. It lowers your patients' risk of type 2 diabetes by more than half. There are also online programs available for patients with difficult schedules or mobility and transportation issues.
Key features
The lifestyle change program has key features to guarantee its quality and outcomes.
CDC-approved curriculum with lessons, handouts, and other resources to help participants make healthy changes.
A Lifestyle Coach who is specially trained to lead the program. This coach helps teach new skills, encourages participants to set and meet goals, and keep them motivated. The coach also facilitates discussions and helps make the program fun and engaging.
A support group of people with similar goals and challenges. Together, the group will share ideas, celebrate successes, and work to overcome obstacles. In some programs, participants stay in touch with each other during the week, and sometimes well after the program ends. It may be easier to make changes working as a group than doing it alone.
Program cost
The cost of participating in the lifestyle change program depends on location and the organization offering it. Many employers and insurers offer the program as a covered benefit. Medicare Part B now also covers the program at no cost for your eligible patients. Note that they will need to sign up to take the program with a registered Medicare supplier.
If you serve a large number of Medicare-eligible patients, call local programs to find out if they're registered suppliers.