647-P: Outcomes Associated with the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

Introduction & Objective: The National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program (LCP) is an evidence-based behavior change intervention to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes. In 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began approving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recognized organizations to deliver the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) to eligible Medicare enrollees with prediabetes.

Methods: This study compares outcomes for adults aged 65+ enrolled in the LCP in approved MDPP suppliers to those of adults aged 65+ enrolled in non-suppliers. The analysis used data submitted to CDC by organizations delivering the LCP from 23,579 participants who had the opportunity to complete the program on or before 08/31/2023 (n=2,324 MDPP; n=21,255 non-MDPP).

Results: Among MDPP participants, 62.0% met the 5% programmatic weight loss goal, compared to 55.0% of non-MDPP participants (p<.001). Among female MDPP participants, 60.6% (n=1,034) met the goal, compared to 54.3% (n=8,680) of non-MDPP female participants (p<.001). Among male MDPP participants, 66.4% (n=395) met the goal, compared to 57.1% (n=2,944) of non-MDPP male participants (p<.001). Overall, mean weight loss among MDPP participants was 7.0% (SD=5.7) and 6.3% (SD=6.0) for non-MDPP participants. Across all race and ethnicity groups, at least 50% of MDPP participants met the 5% weight loss goal, ranging from 50.0% to 66.7%. MDPP participants attended a mean of 19 (SD=7.7) of the minimum required 22 sessions, while non-MDPP participants attended a mean of 17 (SD=10.7).

Conclusion: While Medicare-age adults enrolled in the LCP are meeting programmatic weight loss goals, those enrolled in the MDPP are doing so at a higher rate. MDPP participants are also attending more sessions on average than non-MDPP participants. Scaling the MDPP so that more Medicare beneficiaries have access to the LCP may help in lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among this population.