Connecting Apple Health clients to Diabetes Prevention Programs

Apple Health (Medicaid) clients often experience some of the worst physical and financial burdens of Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease that can be avoided or significantly delayed through making modest lifestyle changes related to diet and physical activity.  Individuals can access year-long support for making such health behavior changes in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.  Apple Health clients often have the least ability to pay for diabetes prevention programs out-of-pocket. Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and Washington State Alliance of YMCAs (WA YMCA) are working to increase access to and utilization of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) across the state.

Washington has been awarded $125,000 for a one year Medicaid Beneficiary Enrollment Project. This award was approved by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD).

Collaborative goals

HCA, DOH, and WA YMCA will partner with the state’s largest Apple Health Managed Care Organization (MCO), Molina, to connect at least 50 eligible Apple Health clients to in-person and/or virtual DPP programs. Molina members can enroll in DPP sessions starting in January through July 2023. Participants will receive a free six month membership to their local YMCA during their participation.

This will be run by WA YMCA over the next year. The work will begin soon and run through July 2023.

Analyze DPP:

• Outcomes of enrollment rates, program attendance, weight loss, physical activity goals, and participant satisfaction of Apple Health clients.
• Social factors that facilitate or limit a successful DPP experience for Apple Health clients.

We will collectively determine feasibility of long-term coverage of DPP under Apple Health and present findings to HCA and the five Apple Health MCOs.