How to Enroll in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
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Natalie Stein
CDC Lifestyle Coach, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, and expert in nutrition, public health, and healthy lifestyle choices
In this article:
- The Diabetes Prevention Program has been shown to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through healthy lifestyle changes - including in seniors. It’s a year-long program that supports healthy lifestyle changes to lose weight and increase physical activity.
- The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is specifically designed for seniors. It’s a covered benefit for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
- MDPP participants must be enrolled in Medicare Part B or Medicare Part C (Advantage). Additional eligibility criteria are being overweight or obese, and having a qualifying blood sugar test within the past year that’s in the prediabetes range.
- After checking eligibility, you can find a supplier, contact them, and ask how to join their program.
- With Lark, you can check eligibility and enroll in an easy flow - right from this page.
- Lark offers a virtual MDPP that you can participate in with your smartphone. It’s available 24/7 for coaching, support, encouragement, and information.
Let’s say you’re a senior and you have prediabetes, or higher than normal blood sugar. You’ve learned that simple lifestyle changes like losing weight and getting active can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. You know that the Diabetes Prevention Program is a structured program to support these changes - and that the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is a covered benefit for eligible Medicare enrollees. But what’s next?
Now, how do you enroll for Medicare prevention? Here’s what to know about checking if you’re eligible, finding MDPP locations, contacting program suppliers, and signing up for a MDPP that’s covered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It’s a process with potentially life-changing benefits. Keep reading even if it sounds complicated because - spoiler alert - Lark MDPP offers a streamlined process that you can start right away.
Eligibility to Join a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
First, are you eligible to participate in the MDPP at no cost to you? Here are the basic eligibility criteria, according to CMS.
| Category | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Medicare Coverage | You must be actively enrolled in Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Traditional Part A (Hospital Insurance) alone does not cover this preventive service. |
| Blood Sugar Levels |
You must have a blood test result from the past 12 months showing you are in the prediabetes range. Any of these three standard lab numbers qualify:
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| Body Mass Index (BMI) | If you’d rather not dig through a database or call a representative to find a program, or if you’d rather enroll in an MDPP that’s available through a smartphone app, start here! Lark MDPP is a fully-recognized CDC-approved provider that integrates directly with qualifying insurance and Medicare Advantage plans. In other words, if you qualify for MDPP, you qualify for Lark MDPP! Contact the Provider to Register for the MDPPOnce you find a participating MDPP provider, contact them. You might phone their office, go in person to the site, or find a contact or registration form online. When you're ready to enroll, you'll have to prove your eligibility. This might include having your Medicare card with you and bringing a copy of your qualifying blood tests results. You may also need to weigh in and have your height measured to calculate your BMI and make sure you meet the weight requirements. With Lark MDPP, the entire process takes place online. You don't have to go to a different location or make a phone call. You can register 24/7 or on weekends, not just during regular business hours. That's It - Time to Start Your MDPP!Once you've found a program and enrolled, you can participate in the program. If it's an in-person program or a program with scheduled sessions, you may need to wait until the next set of classes starts. It could be within weeks or months. If it's a fully online program like Lark, you may be able to start immediately. As soon as you're ready, you can log into Lark. Weigh in, set your goals, and get to know your digital coach - all on your time, and at no cost to you. See If You Qualify at No Cost to YouLark's Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program offers personal health coaching delivered right to your phone - built around the same CDC-recognized program that showed a 71% risk reduction in adults over 60. There is no cost to eligible Medicare members. Lark can help you stay on track with your weight and health goals as you log, track, and chat. Your Lark coach is available 24/7 for encouragement, nutrition and physical activity coaching, and habit tracking. Lark can help you make healthy choices and establish habits that fit into your lifestyle so you can lose weight and keep it off with or without GLP-1 medications. Click here to see if you may be eligible to join Lark MDPP or another Lark program today! Calorie and nutrient information in meal plans and recipes are approximations. Please verify for accuracy. Please also verify information on ingredients, special diets, and allergens.    Lark offers digital coaching and smart devices   1 in 3 people are at risk for diabetes–Lark can help Grab your insurance card and take a short quiz to see if you can get Lark digital coaching and smart devices at no cost to you. Similar posts  What Is Digital Health Coaching? A Plain-English GuideLearn how a digital health coaching program helps manage prediabetes. Eligible Medicare enrollees get Lark's diabetes prevention coaching app at $0 cost. Check if you qualify today! Learn more   $0 Medicare Health Programs You May Not Know You Qualify ForDiscover 8 Medicare preventive programs covered at $0 out of pocket. Learn about screenings, wellness visits, and how to qualify for Lark's digital Diabetes Prevention Program. Learn more   How to Lower Blood Sugar Naturally: 8 Strategies That Work for SeniorsDiscover 8 simple ways for seniors with prediabetes to lower blood sugar naturally. Learn how small lifestyle changes and the no-cost Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) can help. Learn more |
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