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YMCA and Georgia Region Partner
On Medicare Project to Stem Diabetes
“KPGA's integrated medical system was instrumental in identifying
and contacting individuals that were pre-diabetic. Our partnership
allowed us to provide a service to those in communities we both
serve.”
-- Kristin McEwen
Group Vice President, YMCA
The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP), a coalition of
more than 20 national partners, including the American Diabetes
Association, was set to begin its innovative pilot program, “Get A
Jump On Diabetes,” based at the Metro Atlanta YMCA.
The pilot project – also being conducted in Kentucky and Arizona –
is a 16-week course designed to target pre-diabetes patients in the
Medicare population and teach them healthier habits that could
prevent the onset of the disease.
It needed about 200 Georgia patients to participate. Unfortunately,
it had only recruited around 50.
The problem: In order to join, there were rigorous participation
criteria – and with so many steps, few people were willing or able to
complete the process.
“What I learned by doing outreach at senior centers and other
events, is there was just no way to get them to take the next step –
they would be engaged, but they would still have to see the doctor,
get the lab test, get the results and then get back to us,” said
Maurice Madden, Georgia director of the Medicare Diabetes
Screening Project.
But last year, he realized that Kaiser Permanente might be able to
help by reaching out to its members already identified as being pre-
diabetic. And after discussing this with the Georgia Region, a
partnership was forged by June 2012. Armed with electronic
medical records and an integrated medical system, KPGA was able
to help MDSP and the Metro Atlanta YMCA quickly identify
candidates and clear them through the screening process.
“KPGA's integrated medical system was instrumental in identifying
and contacting individuals that were pre-diabetic,” YMCA Group
Vice President Kristin McEwen said. “Our partnership allowed us to
provide a service to those in the communities we both serve.”
Miriam Bell, KPGA’s director of the Center for Care partnership,
said once it was clear what was needed, the Georgia Region was
able to quickly help.
“We have a database of about 250,000 members so we were able
to target those who might benefit from such a program,” Miriam
said. “We were able to send a letter to those members who fit the
parameters, and then, all they had to do was decide to participate
and show up.”
This not only helped MDSP, which was able to quickly add almost
120 participants, but allowed Georgia Region members to
participate in an innovative new way to prevent diabetes. The
course is valued at $350, but members who qualified for Medicare
got to join for free.
“Kaiser Permanente was our saving grace in the Atlanta market,”
Maurice said. “As soon as the letter went out, the phones started
blowing up with an influx of people wanting to join. We are eternally
grateful to the Kaiser Permanente team.”
The MDSP pilot program was so successful that James Hipkens,
MD, who specializes in diabetes at KPGA, is slated to discuss the
results in September during a summit with Congressional
James Hipkens, MD, will discuss the results of the MDSP's "Get A Jump
On Diabetes" pilot program -- including KPGA's role -- during a
September summit with Congressional policymakers.
Facts about Diabetes
With diabetes being the seventh leading cause of death in
the US, and a major cause of heart disease, stroke,
hypertension and other illnesses, it is getting renewed
attention by health care organizations – especially since
lifestyle choices can play a major role in its appearance.
In addition, with the stunning epidemic of obese and
overweight Americans, diabetes is on the rise – although it
can be stemmed with diet and exercise changes in many
cases.
Obese adults spend roughly 40 percent more on health
care than normal weight people because of higher rates of
diabetes and other chronic illnesses, with the medical costs
for someone with diabetes being almost $6,500 a year.
About The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project
The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project is a coalition of more
than 20 national partners, co-chaired by the American Diabetes
Association, the Healthcare Leadership Council, and Novo
Nordisk. These organizations have joined together to promote
awareness and utilization of the diabetes screening benefit in
Medicare. The pilot program, “Get A Jump On Diabetes,” is being
tested in Georgia, Kentucky and Arizona.
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2. policymakers, who will be deciding whether to permit Medicare to
roll out coverage of such community-based preventive programs.
Lucinda Headrick, 75, was one of the Georgia Region participants.
She already exercised, for example, but was still concerned that
her lab numbers placed her as pre-diabetic. Through the program,
she tweaked her eating habits – snacks and desserts were her
weaknesses – and she was able to significantly improve her lab
numbers and drop 18 pounds.
“I’m very, very pleased with this program,” she said. “But like most
things, it does require that you make the decision that ‘I’m going to
take care of this.’”
The goal for participants is to reach a 5 to 7 percent weight loss
and work up to 150 minutes of exercise a week by the end of the
16 one-hour weekly sessions.
The first four meetings focus on creating awareness of how many
participants are eating by having them track fat grams, as well as
learn about food labels, how to eat out and portion control. In the
fifth week, the group discusses the importance of exercise and how
to work it into their schedule. Key to the group dynamic is people
sharing challenges and learning from each other.
“I really liked having other members in my group,” Lucinda said.
“And I’m a ‘recipe’ person – I want you to outline exactly what
needs to be done – and then I can do it.”
“It’s very exciting that our work (with the MDSP and the YMCA)
could directly affect millions across the nation,” said Miriam. “Once
again, I think this reinforces the importance of community
partnerships and the beauty of our integrated system.”
Diane Lore
Posted: August 12, 2013
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Page 2 of 2Inside KP Georgia News: YMCA-KPGA Partnership Against Diabetes
8/13/2013http://kpnet.kp.org:81/ga/news/featured/2013/featured080413.html