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Prediabetic Delaware Medicaid members can now work to prevent diabetes for free

Some Medicaid patients in Delaware will now have access to a diabetes prevention program through the YMCA.

Qualifying members of Delaware’s two managed care organizations (MCOs) – Highmark Health Options and AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware – can now work to prevent diabetes for free at their local YMCA.

Participants must be 18 or older, overweight with a body mass index of more than 25 and diagnosed with prediabetes or have a previous diagnosis of prediabetes. YMCA membership is not required.

Delaware’s Medicaid Medical Director Dr. Elizabeth Brown says the program focuses on lifestyle change, diet and exercise.

“Which can not only prevent diabetes, but also prevent some of the comorbid conditions that can come along with diabetes and obesity,” said Brown.

The YMCA diabetes program was launched in Delaware in 2017. It’s a group class with the goal of reducing participants’ weight by 7% weight and adding 150 minutes of physical activity a week over the one-year course.

Delaware’s Medicaid Director Steve Groff says the state’s Medicaid program—currently a 60-40 split of federal and state dollars—will reimburse the Y for the cost of the classes.

“We’re really hopeful this is going to help us reduce some of those numbers we’re seeing on the outcome side of the equation,” said Groff.

State officials say about two-thirds of Delaware adults are either overweight or obese. About one in ten Delaware adults reported they had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2017.

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