What to know
DSMES is an evidence-based approach shown to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes. DSMES can increase the quality of health care services while lowering the cost. Health care organizations and payers are more likely to invest in interventions when they see a likely financial return on investment.
DSMES value
With a wide range of benefits, DSMES services can do the following:
Support health care providers, people with diabetes, and community members in addressing diabetes-related needs.
Increase the quality of health care services and decrease the cost of delivering those services.
Increase indirect revenue, such as from lab tests related to the DSMES service.
Help health care organizations and providers adhere to standards and goals for health care reform.
Help meet the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards for a patient-centered medical home or an accountable care organization.
Return on investment
Return on investment (ROI) is the benefit or return of an investment that's greater than the cost of the investment. Organizations can achieve a positive ROI in several ways, including increasing profits, reducing losses, and avoiding costs.
Health care entities and third-party payers are more likely to invest in interventions when a positive ROI is likely.
Economic burden of diabetes
In 2022, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States was estimated at $413 billion. By 2050, 1 in 3 people are projected to develop type 2 diabetes.
Medical costs for people with diabetes are approximately 2.6 times higher than medical costs for people without diabetes.
On average, a person with diabetes incurs $19,736 in medical expenditures each year. Of that annual expense, $12,022 is related to diabetes.
Improving outcomes, lowering costs
DSMES services can help lower these costs. DSMES has been shown to reduce hospital admissions/readmissions and estimated lifetime health care costs related to a lower risk for complications.
A systematic review of DSMES interventions1 found that people with type 2 diabetes who received DSMES services had an average decrease in hemoglobin A1C of 0.55%. This decrease was in comparison to those who received routine treatment instead of DSMES. Other studies indicated that DSMES could improve A1C by as much as 1% in people with type 2 diabetes.
Additional benefits to DSMES participation include:
- Reduced onset or progression of diabetes complications.
- Improved quality of life.
- Long-term lifestyle behavior change.
- Enhanced self-efficacy and empowerment.
- Increased healthy coping.
- Decreased diabetes-related depression.
Related clinical outcomes may include improvements in lipid profiles, weight, and blood pressure. These improvements have been shown to reduce costs and lead to a positive ROI.
- Steinsbekk A, Rygg LO, Lisulo M, Rise MB, Fretheim A. Group based diabetes self-management education compared to routine treatment for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012;12:213.