Understanding ADA education program recognition and the pharmacist's role

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease with costly humanistic and clinical outcomes. Pharmacists have proven their value in the provision of diabetes education and management services that lead to improvement in disease. A primary barrier to pharmacists' providers has been compensation for services. Although pharmacists are not recognized as providers by most nationally recognized payers, pharmacists can serve as instructors through diabetes self-management education programs accredited by the American Diabetes Association. These accredited programs are recognized by Medicare and can receive payment for diabetes self-management education services. Newly revised national standards have further recognized the role of a pharmacist educator and have made it more attainable for pharmacies to achieve program recognition status.