About the DSMT Act
This legislation aims to ensure all people with diabetes have access to DSMES/DSMT.
DSMT Act
Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act
The Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) Act seeks to improve access to outpatient DSMT services under the Medicare program. Bills in both Houses of Congress — the Senate and the House — were introduced in June, and we are working with the sponsors in each to generate co-sponsors for this legislation.
Why is the DSMT Act important?
As diabetes care and education specialists, we know that self-management can be a path to a better quality of life, but barriers within the Medicare DSMT benefit keep some of our most vulnerable older adults from accessing DSMT.
The Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act would reduce barriers and improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to DSMT services in the following ways.
How the DSMT Act Reduces Barriers & Improves Access
- Allows the initial 10 hours of DSMT during the first year to never expire and remain available until fully utilized
- Allows DSMT and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services to be furnished and billed for on the same day
- Increases equitable access by removing cost-sharing and deductible requirements
- Permits all physicians and qualified non-physician practitioners to refer for DSMT services as long as they coordinate with the provider managing the individual’s diabetes
- Establishes a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation demonstration program to test the impact of expanding access by covering virtual DSMT under the Medicare program
