Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes should be considered a major concern for the American workforce. The health and quality of life of millions of Americans can end up costing employers and insurers billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical expenses. In fact, a person with diabetes spends on average $13,700 annually in medical expenses – that’s 2.3 times higher than a person without diabetes! On the other hand, the annual cost of a lifestyle change program can range from $150 – $500, depending on the location. Employers and businesses can help make lifestyle change programs available at low, or no cost to their employees by offering them as a covered health benefit. The National DPP supports lifestyle changes that result in improved population health outcomes.

But what does that mean for your business? It means managing your health care costs by reducing claims related to prediabetes, diabetes, and associated risk factors. The program helps prevent chronic diseases, which is the greatest contributor to rising health care costs!

Additional Information & Resources

What can employers and businesses do to prevent diabetes?

1. Increase your organization’s knowledge of prediabetes, as well as the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Make sure to understand and assess your organization’s needs and opportunities related to diabetes prevention.

2. Work to include prediabetes screening and testing in annual biometric screenings offered at your business or organization.

3. Promote awareness of prediabetes to your employees and their families.

4. Help eligible individuals be referred to CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program sites, or encourage them to speak to their physician about enrolling in the program. Visit the ‘Find Sites & Classes’ page on the Partners N Health webpage.

5. Work with your insurance carrier to include the program as a covered benefit for all employees; or offer a program at your own worksite!

6. Continue to encourage employees, as well as their friends and family, to enroll in and attend classes. Help us scale and sustain the National Diabetes Prevention Program in Nebraska!

Together we can help prevent diabetes in our state!

The Nebraska Diabetes Worksite Toolkit was created in partnership with the Nebraska Safety Council – WorkWell. The toolkit is designed to support the comprehensive Worksite Wellness Toolkit. Each section will guide you through user-friendly steps to implement sustainable changes that support the prevention and control of diabetes.

To download a copy please click here.

Check back often to learn about more Nebraska business who are supporting, covering, and/or implementing evidence-based diabetes prevention and control programs!

Coming Soon!

This online toolkit was developed to provide information to payers interested in covering the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program. For more information on how to cover the program by specific payer type, please visit the coverage toolkit site here. 

Useful Websites & Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program

Cover a Lifestyle Change Program as a Health Benefit

The American Medical Association’s DPP Cost Saving Calculator

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Worksite Health ScoreCard