The effectiveness of a proactive, three-level strategy to identify people with prediabetes in a large workforce with employer-sponsored health insurance

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Rates of diagnosis of prediabetes and uptake of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) are low. We evaluated a proactive three-level strategy to identify individuals with prediabetes in a population with employer-sponsored health insurance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We studied 64,131 insured employees, dependents, and retirees ≥18 years of age without diagnosed diabetes, 19,397 (30%) of whom were estimated to have prediabetes. Individuals with prediabetes were identified by 1) searching claims diagnoses and previously performed HbA1c test results, 2) risk stratifying people 40–64 years of age without diabetes, prediabetes, or documented normal HbA1c to identify individuals at higher risk and encourage them to be tested, and 3) using a media campaign to encourage employees not otherwise targeted to self-screen and, if at higher risk, to be tested. RESULTS Using claims and laboratory data, 11% of the population was identified as having prediabetes. Of those 40–64 years of age, 25% were identified as being at higher risk, and 27% of them were tested or diagnosed within 1 year. Of employees exposed to the media campaign, 14% were tested or diagnosed within 1 year. Individuals with prediabetes were older, heavier, and more likely to have hyperten-sion and dyslipidemia. Testing and diagnosis were associated with receiving medical care and provider outreach. A total of 8,129 individuals, or 42% of those with prediabetes, were identified. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of existing health insurance data facilitated the identification of individuals with prediabetes. Better identification of people with prediabetes is a first step in increasing uptake of the NDPP.