CHICAGO, June 9, 2025 — Legislation that increases access to diabetes self-management training (DSMT) and reduces the overall cost burden of diabetes has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House by Senate Diabetes Caucus co-chairs Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and House Diabetes Caucus co-chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Representative Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA-08).

“ADCES applauds the sponsors of the Expanding Access to DSMT Act for introducing legislation that would improve access to diabetes care and education for Medicare beneficiaries,” said ADCES President Veronica Brady, PhD, RN, FNP-P, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES. “DSMT services help individuals with diabetes improve their health and reduce complications which in turn can decrease health care costs. Improving access to and utilization of this evidence-based benefit is critical for addressing health equity.”

DSMT is an evidence-based service that teaches people with diabetes how to self-manage the disease to live better and reduce their risk of complications. Outcomes from DSMT include lower hemoglobin A1C, weight loss, improved quality of life, stronger coping skills and reduced healthcare costs. Unfortunately, only an estimated 5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries with newly diagnosed diabetes use the service.   

If passed, the Expanding Access to DSMT Act would:   

• Allow the initial 10 hours of diabetes self-management training (DSMT) to remain available until fully used.  
• Allow for additional hours of the benefit based on medical necessity.
• Permit DSMT and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services to be provided on the same day.  
• Exclude DSMT services from Part B cost-sharing and deductible requirements.  

• Permit physicians and qualified nonphysician practitioners (e.g., podiatrists, emergency department providers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists) to refer for DSMT services.  
• Establish a CMS Innovation Center demonstration program to test the impact of covering virtual DSMT under the Medicare program.  

The Expanding Access to DSMT Act was originally introduced at the end of the 115th Congress. An amended version of the bill was passed unanimously by the Energy & Commerce Committee in the 118^th Congress and received a score of +/- $500k over 10 years from the Congressional Budget Office. ADCES and its advocacy partners are focused on re-passing the bill through committee and getting it included in a legislative package in the 119^th Congress.

ADCES is encouraging the public to contact their legislators to support the Expanding Access to DSMT Act. For more information, visit adces.org/actnow .   

About the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists:
ADCES is an interdisciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to improving prediabetes, diabetes and cardiometabolic care through innovative education, management and support. With more than 11,000 professional members including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and others, ADCES has a vast network of practitioners working to optimize care and reduce complications. ADCES supports an integrated care model that lowers the cost of care, improves experiences and helps its members lead so better outcomes follow. Learn more at www.adces.org.