Diabetes Prevention Program

DPP Overview

One-third of all Rhode Island adults have prediabetes. That means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, putting them at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  If you are (or think you might be) among this group, consider enrolling in the State of Rhode Island Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). It’s available to all State employees and dependents age 18+ who are enrolled in an Anchor medical plan AND meet specific CDC-recommended health criteria.  According to the CDC, you are eligible if you meet ALL 4 of these requirements:

  • You are 18 years or older.
  • You have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (23 or higher if you are Asian American).
  • You have not been previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
  • You are not pregnant.

You’ll also need to meet 1 of these requirements:

  • You had a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (includes any of these tests and results):
    • Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7–6.4%.
    • Fasting plasma glucose: 110–125 mg/dL.
    • 2-hour plasma glucose (after a 75 g glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL.
  • You were previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
  • You received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on the Prediabetes Risk Test.

The DPP uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is available to eligible members at no additional cost as either a virtual program or as a series of in-person sessions. Both versions of the DPP are administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI); the virtual program in partnership with Livongo and the in-person program in partnership with the Lifespan Community Health Institute.  The in-person program is intended to replace the DPP referenced in union collective bargaining agreements.  The virtual program is offered in 2023 on a trial basis.

DPP Completion Incentive

Aside from the health benefits of participating and completing the DPP, employees can also qualify to receive a one-time, taxable $500 incentive payment if they satisfy the program's completion requirements:

  • In-person DPP completion:
    • Attend at least 20 sessions.
  • Virtual DPP completion:
    • Started the program in calendar year 2023; and
    • Complete all 31 sessions; and 
    • Using the provided scale, complete at least 4 weigh-ins per month for at least 6 of the 12 months of the program. 

Employees may only earn one DPP incentive payment for their completion of either the in-person or the virtual program.   If you previously participated in the State’s DPP that was administered by the YMCA of Greater Providence and received the $500 taxable incentive payment, you may participate in this new iteration of the DPP and you will be eligible to receive the $500 taxable incentive payment upon completion.  The virtual DPP completion incentive is subject to a once-per-lifetime maximum and is only available to employes that began the virtual DPP program in calendar year 2023. Employees that are not enrolled in a State employee Anchor medical plan and dependents age 18+ may participate in the program but are not eligible to receive the completion incentive.

Your health matters. Participating in the State's DPP represents a commitment to reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes—and improving your overall health and well-being.

 

DPP Frequently Asked Questions

Review the DPP FAQ and the questions below for more information.

The in-person program through Lifespan is comprised of a series of periodic group classes at BCBSRI Blue Stores and Lifespan venues over the course of a year. 

  • Weekly 1-hour sessions for at least 16 weeks (within a 6-month period) with a trained lifestyle coach.
  • 6 months of 1-hour follow-up sessions with the lifestyle coach to help maintain the healthy lifestyle behaviors.
  • Peer support in a group format from other participants with the same goals.
  • Healthy recipes to prepare at home and group cooking lessons.
Lifespan diabetes prevention program brochure

The virtual program through Livongo is a year-long, self-paced program that includes many brief lessons across a broad range of topics.  You'll use the Livongo app or website to participate (no smartphone required).  

  • Weekly self-paced lessons on a broad range of topics for the first 16 weeks. The next 11 lessons are bi-weekly and the last 4 are monthly. 
  • Connected smart scale and blood pressure monitor to track your progress.
  • Food logging tool with option to receive feedback from health coaches.
  • Access to expert health coaches for one-on-one guidance.

According to the CDC, you are eligible if you meet ALL 4 of these requirements:

  • You are 18 years or older.
  • You have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (23 or higher if you are Asian American).
  • You have not been previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
  • You are not pregnant.

You’ll also need to meet 1 of these requirements:

  • You had a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year (includes any of these tests and results):
    • Hemoglobin A1C: 5.7–6.4%.
    • Fasting plasma glucose: 110–125 mg/dL.
    • 2-hour plasma glucose (after a 75 g glucose load): 140–199 mg/dL.
  • You were previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
  • You received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on the Prediabetes Risk Test.

In-Person

Please register at the Lifespan Community Health Institute website.

Virtual

There are three ways to sign up for the State's virtual DPP:

In-Person

Courses will occur at a specified BCBSRI Blue Store or Lifespan facility.  Courses will occur in the same location.

Virtual

Sessions will be accessible through Livongo’s online portal or the Livongo app.

In-Person

If you do not complete 20 of the total classes, you will be ineligible for the $500 incentive payment from the State. However, you will be eligible to sign up for the virtual program and qualify for its $500 incentive payment if it better meets your lifestyle needs.

Yes, but you can only sign up for one program at a time. It is recommended that you choose the one that works best for you. You are only eligible for one $500 incentive.

In-Person

There is a maximum of 27 classes. In the event 27 classes are necessary, the first 16 courses are weekly, followed by 6 bi-weekly sessions for three months.  The last 5 sessions are monthly.

Virtual

There are 31 classes, but lessons are self-paced.  This means they are not tied to a specific day and time but can be accessed on your schedule.  However, sessions are only released on a weekly and bi-weekly basis and are only after you've completed the prior session. The first 16 are released on a weekly basis, and the remaining 15 are released bi-weekly.

Employees can qualify to receive a one-time, taxable $500 incentive payment if they satisfy the program's completion requirements:

  • In-person DPP completion:
    • Attend at least 20 sessions.
  • Virtual DPP completion:
    • Started the program in calendar year 2023; and
    • Complete all 31 sessions; and 
    • Using the provided scale, complete at least 4 weigh-ins per month for at least 6 of the 12 months of the program. 

Employees may only earn one DPP incentive payment for their completion of either the in-person or the virtual program.   If you previously participated in the State’s DPP that was administered by the YMCA of Greater Providence and received the $500 taxable incentive payment, you may participate in this new iteration of the DPP and you will be eligible to receive the $500 taxable incentive payment upon completion.  The virtual DPP completion incentive is subject to a once-per-lifetime maximum and is only available to employes that began the virtual DPP program in calendar year 2023. Employees that are not enrolled in a State employee Anchor medical plan and dependents age 18+ may participate in the program but are not eligible to receive the completion incentive.

In-Person

Classes will be offered at BCBSRI's Blue Store in Cranston and a Lifespan facility in Providence.  Schedules will be subject to change/amendment as additional locations and cohorts are added.

Call the BCBSRI State of Rhode Island Employee CARE Center at (401) 429-2104 or 1-866-987-3705.