Statement attributable to:
Barbara L. McAneny, MD
President, American Medical Association
“Through our work to confront the country’s increasing chronic disease burden, we know that reaching more patients with prediabetes is a vital part of the fight to prevent new cases of type 2 diabetes and improve the health of the nation. That’s why we’re excited by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s (Blue Cross NC) substantial investment to cover North Carolinians’ free access to the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP). By eliminating the financial barrier, more patients throughout the state—particularly those who are disproportionally affected by type 2 diabetes—will benefit from this evidence-based program which has been shown to cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half.
“We commend Blue Cross NC, NC State University, and North Carolina Division of Public Health for working together to ensure every North Carolinian living with prediabetes is empowered to prevent or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes. They are setting an example other states can follow. The AMA, along with the North Carolina Medical Society, is pleased to assist with their effort by making sure every primary care physician and care team member in the state are aware that they can now refer their patients with prediabetes to a National DPP at no cost to the patient.”
With 84 million Americans living with prediabetes, and the majority unaware they have it, the AMA is committed to helping America achieve no new preventable cases of type 2 diabetes. As part of this mission, the AMA has been working in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since 2015 to support physicians and care teams with tools and resources to reach their patients with prediabetes and refer them to a proven National DPP lifestyle change program. The AMA has also joined forces with other companies and organizations to support greater insurance coverage for the National DPP.
The AMA will continue to catalyze efforts to mobilize more physicians and care team members to identity their patients with prediabetes and partner with them on a shared-decision treatment plan that will lead to better health outcomes.
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
