Medicare Diabetes Screening Project

Type 2 diabetes is finally being recognized on a national and federal level as a major threat to the health of older individuals and as a powerful force in driving up the costs of Medicare. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle recently met with experts on diabetes education and research along with representatives of senior-living communities to discuss the need to increase awareness of free Medicare diabetes screening in the aging population. Despite the availability of free testing, reportedly less than 10% of Medicare beneficiaries are tested for diabetes each year. The Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP), supported by Novo Nordisk, is helping to change that. A new alliance between the MDSP and the National Council on Aging is promoting the launch of a new outreach program called “Diabetes Screening: Medicare Benefits for Better Health.” The new project is designed to equip leaders of organizations, agencies, and companies that serve seniors with the tools to better educate the aging population about Medicare benefits for diabetes screening. We hope this project takes off and more seniors are able to take advantage of the free screening available. If someone you know is over the age of 65, covered by Medicare, and has at least one diabetes risk factor (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, history of high glucose, history of gestational diabetes, or family history of diabetes), please encourage them to ask their health care provider for a free diabetes screening. You can find more information here.