According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 1 in 2 people aged 65 and older have prediabetes – a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal. If left unchecked, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes. However, with the right support, prediabetes can often be managed or even reversed. If you have Medicare, you may qualify for a Medicare-covered program that can help you lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes – at no cost to you. 

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is a covered Medicare benefit that offers practical tools, personalized support, and proven strategies to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. Learn how to eat better, exercise more, and build healthy habits that stick, with guidance from a certified coach who supports you every step of the way. Research shows the program works. People with prediabetes who complete it lose weight, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  

What can you expect?

Prevention doesn’t require big changes all at once. This program helps you take small, realistic steps that add up to lasting results. It includes 16 core sessions where you can learn to reduce your diabetes risk by preparing healthier meals, moving more, and building healthy habits. The core sessions are followed by six months of monthly maintenance sessions to help you sustain your momentum.

You can choose the class format that works for you.

You can enroll in these services from approved Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program suppliers and participate in person by attending sessions at a community location; through distance learning by joining interactive group sessions from home; or by accessing online content. Find a class at www.medicare.gov/PreventDiabetes.

Who is eligible?

You may qualify if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and have had one of the following tests within the past six months: a hemoglobin A1c of 5.7% to 6.4%; a fasting plasma glucose of 110 to 125 mg/dL; or a two-hour plasma glucose of 140 to 199 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test. Additional criteria include: a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (or 23 or higher if you are of Asian descent) and no prior diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

What does it cost?

If you have Medicare Part B and qualify for the program, you pay nothing to participate. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may need to see an in-network provider to receive these services. Contact your plan for more information.

Ready to start your healthier future?

Take control of your health on your own terms, with a schedule and pace that fit your life. Check with your doctor to see if you have prediabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you’re eligible for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, your doctor can refer you, or you can enroll on your own. Find the class that’s right for you at www.medicare.gov/PreventDiabetes.