Diabetes America, Inc, the premiere network of diabetes health centers in Texas, announced today that it has teamed up with TriSurant, a Houston-based employee health benefits and workers’ compensation management company, to offer employers an innovative new pre-diabetes management program. DiabetesAmerica’s Pre-Diabetes Management Program is one of the first of its kind to focus on preventative treatment measures for diabetes. By helping people make proactive healthcare choices, the program seeks to significantly reduce the number of people who progress from pre-diabetes to diabetes.
It is estimated that 20.8 million Americans are living with diabetes and more than double that amount, 54 million, have pre-diabetes. Also known as Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Impaired Fasting Glucose, pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Almost all people who develop type 2 diabetes go through a phase of pre-diabetes.
Research has shown that people with pre-diabetes may already be experiencing some of the serious health consequences associated with diabetes. One recently published study, with more than 10,000 participants, points to people with pre-diabetes having a 2.5 times higher risk of dying from cardiac problems compared to people without pre-diabetes. However, research has also shown that people with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes through education and lifestyle changes. In certain cases, early intervention can actually return elevated blood glucose levels to the normal range.
“Education is the first step in prevention,” said Dr. Frank Basile, DiabetesAmerica’s President and CEO. “Our Pre-Diabetes Management Program aims to teach people with pre-diabetes that making moderate lifestyle changes now can significantly reduce their risk of developing diabetes in the future.”
Employers are also starting to see the value of implementing wellness and prevention programs to help cut their rising healthcare costs. “Employers and employees both benefit from preventive healthcare programs,” said Don Benson, President and CEO of TriSurant. “DiabetesAmerica’s Pre-Diabetes Management Program will help our client’s lower their medical costs by keeping their workforce healthy and preventing complications that can arise when patients develop diabetes.”
Eligible employees who participate in the Pre-Diabetes Management Program will be able to consult with a DiabetesAmerica Certified Diabetes Educator or Registered Dietician who will help him or her develop a comprehensive plan to make the lifestyle changes necessary to decrease their risk of developing diabetes. Follow-up appointments will occur every six months to track progress and re-evaluate the patient’s health.
About DiabetesAmerica
Founded in 2004, DiabetesAmerica has established a reputation in communities across Texas as a comprehensive health center and management program for individuals with diabetes, providing them with complete, personalized diabetes care under one roof, with one co-pay. DiabetesAmerica’s expert team of physicians, dieticians, and certified diabetes educators provides patients with lifelong guidance for managing their diabetes and gives them the tools and support they need to take charge of their lives. For more information, visit www.DiabetesAmerica.com.
About TriSurant
TriSurant is a Houston-based company providing administrative, health management, and workers’ compensation services for self-insured employers since 1984. TriSurant works closely with each of its clients to customize plan designs and offers a variety of risk management strategies to help employers manage current and future costs. For more information, visit www.trisurant.com.