Diabetes Prevention Program

Higher than normal blood sugar, or "prediabetes," affects up to one in three Americans – and many of them don't know it. Prediabetes makes a person more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within five years, and raises the risk of other serious health problems like heart attack and stroke.

The good news is that in many cases diabetes and other health problems can be delayed or prevented through modest lifestyle changes like eating a healthier diet and increasing physical activity. And you don't have to do it alone. U-M Health Plan members who meet eligibility criteria can join Diabetes Prevention Programs developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with no out-of-pocket cost:

Start Here

1. Take a short quiz about your risk factors.

To see if you are at risk for prediabetes, take this short quiz about your risk factors for prediabetes. Or watch this one-minute video that walks you through the quiz.

(Video sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the AdCouncil. Visit doihaveprediabetes.org for more information.)

2. Talk to your doctor about prediabetes.

If you score 5 or higher on the quiz, talk to your doctor about prediabetes. Your doctor might suggest that you get an A1C blood sugar test to check for prediabetes. An A1C test result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent indicates prediabetes. (For more information about prediabetes and diabetes, you may want to check out the CDC's "Your Health WIth Joan Lunden" video series.)

3. Join a Diabetes Prevention Program.

If you score 5 or higher on the quiz, or your A1C test indicates you have prediabetes, join a like-minded community to find support for a healthy lifestyle and reducing health risks. 

Get Connected 

For Community Blue PPO, Comprehensive Major Medical, GradCare, and U-M Premier Care members:

Click here to begin the process. U-M has partnered with BCBSM and Omada Health to deliver the CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program to eligible health plan members in a safe and secure manner. The online program connects you with a coach and a cohort of others who are at risk for or have prediabetes, and participants can work through the curriculum at their own pace. Here is additional information about the Omada Diabetes Prevention Program:

  • Curriculum: 16 weekly, interactive lessons followed by eight monthly lessons and ongoing support and material for up to 24 months.
  • Location: Anywhere with a connection to the internet.
  • Facilitator: Each cohort is assigned a personal health coach.
  • Group size: 12-18 people are assigned to each cohort.
  • Additional features: Each participant receives a free digital, wireless scale synced to a private account, online small group support and 24/7 online program access.
  • Activity can be tracked via many fitness apps, on the Omada mobile app, or via a pedometer, which Omada will supply upon request.
  • Minimum starting BMI: 24 or higher.

Get an idea of what to expect by viewing A Participant’s Journey. Or contact Omada online, by email or by phone at (888) 409-8687.

For Michigan Care members:

Click here to begin the process. U-M has partnered with PHP and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan to deliver the CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program to eligible health plan members. This program is normally offered in a hybrid - part online, part in-person - format, but is all online to ensure participants' safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program connects you with a trained lifestyle coach and a cohort of others who are at risk for or have prediabetes. 

  • Curriculum: 16 weekly lessons, followed by monthly meetings with participants' trained lifestyle coach to continue support and education for a full year. 
  • Location: Online (anywhere with a connection to the internet) through Zoom. Once conditions are deemed safe, in-person meetings may be offered. 
  • Facilitator: Each cohort is assigned a trained lifestyle coach.
  • Additional features: Each participant receives educational materials, as well as tools for tracking nutrition and fitness. 
  • Minimum starting BMI: 25 or higher.
  • Get more details at an online info session. These sessions are offered at various dates and times to fit all schedules. 

Learn more from previous participants' experiences. Or contact the NKFM by email or by phone:

  • 800-482-1455 (southeast Michigan)
  • 616-458-9520 (west Michigan)
    * If you speak Spanish, please call the west Michigan number.

Eligibility

You are eligible to join a Diabetes Prevention Program with no out-of-pocket cost if you meet all of the following criteria.

  • You have U-M health plan coverage through BCBSM, BCN or PHP.
  • You are an active U-M employee age 18 or older, an active employee's covered dependent age 18 or older, a U-M retiree age 65 or younger, or a retiree's covered dependent age 65 or younger.
  • You have completed a screening test on the Omada website or the NKFM website, and it has been determined that you have prediabetes or are at significant risk for prediabetes.

If you are not currently eligible for coverage for the DPP, MHealthy offers a wide range of programs to employees and spouses/other qualified adults to support healthy lifestyle changes around weight management, healthy eating and physical activity. MHealthy also offers a guide to U-M resources for diabetes.

Questions?

For questions about eligibility or using this benefit through your U-M Health Plan, please contact customer service at the number on the back of your plan ID card.

For general questions about your U-M health benefits, please contact the SSC Contact Center at 5-2000 from the Ann Arbor campus, (734) 615-2000 locally or (866) 647-7657 toll free for off-campus long-distance calls within the United States, to speak with a representative Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about additional programs to help you lose weight and improve your health and wellness, contact MHealthy.