Prediabetes Clinical Guidelines

The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends “screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 70 years who have overweight or obesity. Clinicians should offer or refer patients with prediabetes to effective preventive interventions” like the Diabetes Prevention Program.

How can I refer a patient to the Diabetes Prevention Program?

Patients may be referred to the Diabetes Prevention Program through EPIC REF215. For primary care providers, the associated Best Practice Advisory (BPA) will display in EPIC for patients who have an existing diagnosis of prediabetes or who fit the program criteria. 

The Diabetes Prevention Program helps people lower their chance of developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, like heart disease or stroke. Learn more below about how to refer a patient into this program. For more about the program, visit the Diabetes Prevention Program page.

Does the Diabetes Prevention Program work?

An NIH-led, CDC-supported research study showed that weight loss of 5–7% of body weight was achieved by lowering fat intake and increasing physical activity to at least 150 minutes per week. This reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% in people at high risk for the disease (71% for those over age 60). For more about the program, visit the Diabetes Prevention Program page.

Who qualifies for the Diabetes Prevention Program?

 This program is not designed for people who already have type 2 diabetes. Patient’s readiness for lifestyle change should be assessed prior to referral. To qualify, your patient must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (BMI or 23 or higher if Asian American)
• Not be pregnant at time of enrollment
• Be at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes based on a type 2 diabetes Risk Test or recent blood test showing blood sugar levels in the prediabetes range (A1C of 5.7-6.4% OR fasting plasma glucose of 100-125 mg/dl OR three-hour plasma glucose of 140-199 mg/dl).