Monterey, CA : YMCA Partners With Health Insurance Companies & Employers To Fight Diabetes

by Richard Kuehn on 04/23/12

Monterey, CA : YMCA Partners With Health Insurance Companies & Employers To Fight Diabetes :  View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

Like many non-profits, the YMCA has had a difficult time with fund raising, but that hasn't caused it to stray from its key mission, to put Christian Principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  Their latest program, which is being rolled out across the country, is a healthcare intervention plan designed to help fight off diabetes.  Research found that their program, combining exercise, dieting and individual counseling can make a huge impact on reducing the incidence of diabetes.  There are 79 million Americans at risk of diabetes and insurers are taking note.  The YMCA will get reimbursed by insurance companies and employers for each person who enrolls in the year long course.  There's also a kicker.  If participants lose 5-7% of their body weight over the year, the YMCA will get additional payments.  This is a great program.  Insurance companies are starting to realize that it's wise to invest in prevention because over the long run, each patient which comes down with chronic diseases like this will end up costing them a lot more money.  According to Tom Beauregard, EVP at UnitedHealth Group, it costs $3,700/year to treat a person with pre-diabetes and $20,000 per year to treat someone with diabetes.  About 26 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   I wish the Y well in this new endeavor.