Introduction:
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was shown to reduce body weight and lower incidence of diabetes in a cost-effective manner. Digital versions of the DPP (dDPP) have recently been implemented and shown to reduce body weight and other risk factors for chronic disease. We asked whether implementation of a dDPP in a workplace setting would reduce medical costs.
Methods:
Employees and spouses of a nation-wide medical diagnostic provider were eligible to participate in dDPP (Omada Health) if they had prediabetes (fasting glucose 100 to 125 mg/dL or HbA
1C
5.7% to 6.4%) and BMI ≥25 kg/m
2
at baseline (September to December 2017), and were continuously enrolled in a health plan from September 2016 to December 2019. Of those eligible (n=3,098), 432 participated and completed ≥1 lesson (dDPP group). A control group (n=856) was matched to the dDPP group by baseline age, sex, race, geography, comorbidities, health plan type, and medical and prescription costs. Generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, race and BMI were used to obtain all estimates. Allowed costs from administrative claims data were evaluated per member per month (PMPM); dDPP costs were not included.
Results:
In the control group, costs were higher in the post-dDPP period (2017-2019) compared to the pre-dDPP period (2016-2017) for inpatient ($124 vs $64,
P=
0.01), prescription ($183 vs $155,
P
=0.02), and total ($696 vs $558,
P
<0.001; Figure). In the dDPP group, no changes were observed. Changes in total costs (post-dDPP minus pre-dDPP) were lower in the dDPP group than the control group, with a saving of $141 PMPM (
P
=0.02; Figure).
Conclusion:
In the first two years of dDPP implementation, medical costs were unchanged in dDPP participants but higher in matched controls.
Does Losing 5-7% of Prediabetic Body Weight from a Diabetes Prevention Program decrease Cardiovascular Risks?
