From: Yutzy, Paula [pyutzy@mdmercy.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 12:29 PM
To: FDADocket@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Diabetes gaps

One important gap is that insurers including Medicare and Medicaid are not paying for education services until a person is diagnosed with diabetes.  Pre-diabetes is a big problem and learning how to initiate and maintain preventive measures such as meal planning, exercise and weight loss before diabetes becomes a reality is critical.  This is true in adults as well as children. We have an epidemic of type 2 in children now.  I get calls from pediatricians who have obese minority children who have strong family histories of diabetes, but are not yet diabetic.  They are in need of family lifestyle and nutrition changes, but none of the insurers, including Medicaid, are willing to pay for this service.  This is a big gap in coverage for services that are critically needed.

 

Paula S. Yutzy, RN, BSPA, CDE

Director of Diabetes Education

The Diabetes Center at Mercy Medical Center

301 St. Paul Place

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-332-9800

Fax 410-545-4514