Diabetes Ten City Challenge

Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs, CO

The City of Colorado Springs joined the Diabetes Ten City Challenge in mid-2006 after learning about the opportunity from the Colorado Business Group on Health. More than 6,900 City employees, dependents and retirees in the city’s health plan who were eligible to participate were invited to register for the program. The City also participates in the Bridges to Excellence program, sponsored by the Colorado Business Group on Health. Through Bridges to Excellence, the City rewards medical providers who demonstrate they deliver quality medical care toward the prevention of diabetes and the health of participants.

Program Facts

  • As of July 2009, 353 members were eligible for the DTCC and 174 (49.29%) are participating
  • Participants meet with a pharmacist from the City Employee Pharmacy (run by Maxor) who has been specially trained and certified in diabetes care by the APhA Foundation
  • To protect patient confidentiality, the program is managed by the City Employee Pharmacy and the City of Colorado Springs does not know the identities of participants unless they choose to share that information
  • In order for members to receive the waived co-pays on diabetes and monitoring supplies and medication, they must participate in the Diabetes Ten City Challenge or prove their diabetes is under control

Pharmacist Role

  • Potential participants are identified by the City Employee Pharmacy and invited to enroll in the program
  • A pharmacist specially trained in diabetes care sees individuals by appointment at the City of Colorado Springs Pharmacy
  • In the confidential meetings, pharmacists educate participants about diabetes and track their condition and compliance with obtaining cholesterol tests, blood pressure checks, foot exams, and eye exams

About the City of Colorado Springs

Population in 2009: 414,658 
Municipal Employees covered by City Medical Insurance: 2,388 
Municipal Retirees covered by City Medical insurance: 247

Relevant Statistics

According to the American Diabetes Association:

  • The total cost of diabetes for people in Colorado in 2006 was more than $2.5 billion. This amount included the excess medical costs of $1.6 billion attributed to diabetes and lost productivity valued at more than $900 million.
  • One out of every 10 health care dollars spent in the United States is spent on diabetes and its complications
  • Per capita annual costs of health care for people with diabetes was $13,242 in 2002, an increase of 30 percent from 1997.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:  

  • Approximately 220,867 Coloradans have diabetes and another 92,764 have the disease and aren’t aware that they do
  • More than 2,400 Coloradans dies from diabetes-related causes in 2007
  • The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Colorado has increased by about 50% since 1994

For more information, view the Colorado Springs factsheet.

 

<RETURN TO ABOUT THE CITIES