• Main Website
  • Online University
  • Conferences
  • Online Store
  • Student Login
Med PocketCards Free Med PocketCards Sign up for eNews
Diabetes Education Services logo | Advancing your carreer in Diabetes Education
Get Certified Ready to get certified? Get our Free CDCES Coach App
  • Home
  • Exam Prep
    • Start Your Journey
    • 10 STEPS TO SUCCEED | Pass the Diabetes Certification Exams
    • CDCES or BC-ADM – Which Certification is Right for me?
    • CDCES Exam Prep
      • CDCES Prep Webinar & Resources
    • BC-ADM Exam Prep
      • BC-ADM Prep Webinar & Resources
    • Graduate Success Stories!
    • Accreditation Information
    • Renewing My CDCES – What is Required?
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Accreditation Information
    • About Beverly Thomassian
    • Invite Coach Beverly Thomassian to Speak!
    • Board of Directors
    • Press Page
      • Upgraded Living May Issue Highlights Women Business Leaders in Northern Cal
      • Tom Hanks – Words of Wisdom
      • LifeChanger Award Winner
      • A Daughter’s Perspective
  • Trainings
    • Live Conferences
      • Live Seminar in San Diego: DiabetesEd Training Conference
      • 5 Reasons to join our Live Seminar | DiabetesEd Training Conference
      • Testimonials – DiabetesEd Training Conference
    • Scholarship Info
      • Scholarship Winners for DiabetesEd “Live” Training in San Diego.
      • Past Scholarship Recipients
    • Graduate Success Stories!
    • ReVive 5 Diabetes Training Program
    • Virtual Conferences
      • Virtual DiabetesEd Training Course | 30+ CEs
      • Attendee Testimonials
    • Invite Coach Beverly Thomassian to Speak – Virtually!
  • Online Courses
    • Graduate Success Stories!
    • Online Course Catalog
    • Online Course Overview
      • Level 1 | Diabetes Fundamentals
      • Level 2 | Standards of Care Intensive
      • Level 3 | DiabetesEd Specialist Boot Camp
      • Level 4 | Advanced Level & Specialty Topic Courses
    • Toolkits
    • Online Bundles
      • CDCES Deluxe Prep Bundle
      • CDCES Basic Prep Bundle
      • CDCES Mini Bundle
      • BC-ADM Deluxe Prep Bundle
      • BC-ADM Basic Prep Bundle
      • The Complete Package
      • Ultimate Online Bundle
    • Virtual Conferences
      • Virtual DiabetesEd Training Course | 30+ CEs
    • ReVive 5 Diabetes Training Program
    • Frequently Asked Questions | Online University
    • Online University Orientation
    • Reviews | DiabetesEd Online University
    • Renewing My CDCES Requirements
  • Books + Study
    • ADCES Desk Reference 6th Edition
    • ADCES Review Guide 6th Edition
    • ADCES Desk Reference & Review Guide 6th Edition
    • Pocketcards | Insulin & Diabetes Meds
    • Pancreas Partner & DiaCell
      • Pancreas Partner | Diabetes Teaching Tool
      • DiaCell | Diabetes Teaching Tool
      • Pancreas Partner | A Story
    • DiabetesEd Instructional Videos
    • Online Store Overview
  • Free Resources
    • CDCES Coach App
    • Monthly Newsletter | Sign-Up & Archives
    • Pocketcards | Insulin & Diabetes Meds
    • Cheat Sheet for Diabetes
    • FREE Live Webinars Available!
      • CDCES Prep Webinar & Resources
      • BC-ADM Prep Webinar & Resources
      • Test Taking Practice Exam Sample Questions Toolkit
      • CDCES or BC-ADM – Which is Right for Me?
      • 3 Steps to DeFeet Amputation
      • Language that Respects the Individual and Imparts Hope
      • Getting to the Gut, Meet Your Microbiome
      • Health Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
      • Mindfulness Webinar for Diabetes Specialists
      • Behavior Change Theory Made Easy
      • Strategies to Revitalize your Diabetes Program or Business
    • Testimonials – Live Webinars
    • FREE Resource Catalog
    • Blog Sign-Up
    • DiaBingo | Diabetes Bingo for FREE
    • Renewing My CDCES – What is Required?
    • Diabetes Article Library
      • Complete Article Library
      • Practice Guidelines
      • Exercise Resources
      • Plant Based Eating Resources
      • Meds Update Resource Page
  • BLOG BYTES
    • Blogs
    • Question of the Week!
    • Rationale of the Week
    • DiabetesEd Blog Bytes | Sign Up
    • Newsletter | Sign Up & Archives
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Exam Prep
    • Start Your Journey
    • 10 STEPS TO SUCCEED | Pass the Diabetes Certification Exams
    • CDCES or BC-ADM – Which Certification is Right for me?
    • CDCES Exam Prep
      • CDCES Prep Webinar & Resources
    • BC-ADM Exam Prep
      • BC-ADM Prep Webinar & Resources
    • Graduate Success Stories!
    • Accreditation Information
    • Renewing My CDCES – What is Required?
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Accreditation Information
    • About Beverly Thomassian
    • Invite Coach Beverly Thomassian to Speak!
    • Board of Directors
    • Press Page
      • Upgraded Living May Issue Highlights Women Business Leaders in Northern Cal
      • Tom Hanks – Words of Wisdom
      • LifeChanger Award Winner
      • A Daughter’s Perspective
  • Trainings
    • Live Conferences
      • Live Seminar in San Diego: DiabetesEd Training Conference
      • 5 Reasons to join our Live Seminar | DiabetesEd Training Conference
      • Testimonials – DiabetesEd Training Conference
    • Scholarship Info
      • Scholarship Winners for DiabetesEd “Live” Training in San Diego.
      • Past Scholarship Recipients
    • Graduate Success Stories!
    • ReVive 5 Diabetes Training Program
    • Virtual Conferences
      • Virtual DiabetesEd Training Course | 30+ CEs
      • Attendee Testimonials
    • Invite Coach Beverly Thomassian to Speak – Virtually!
  • Online Courses
    • Graduate Success Stories!
    • Online Course Catalog
    • Online Course Overview
      • Level 1 | Diabetes Fundamentals
      • Level 2 | Standards of Care Intensive
      • Level 3 | DiabetesEd Specialist Boot Camp
      • Level 4 | Advanced Level & Specialty Topic Courses
    • Toolkits
    • Online Bundles
      • CDCES Deluxe Prep Bundle
      • CDCES Basic Prep Bundle
      • CDCES Mini Bundle
      • BC-ADM Deluxe Prep Bundle
      • BC-ADM Basic Prep Bundle
      • The Complete Package
      • Ultimate Online Bundle
    • Virtual Conferences
      • Virtual DiabetesEd Training Course | 30+ CEs
    • ReVive 5 Diabetes Training Program
    • Frequently Asked Questions | Online University
    • Online University Orientation
    • Reviews | DiabetesEd Online University
    • Renewing My CDCES Requirements
  • Books + Study
    • ADCES Desk Reference 6th Edition
    • ADCES Review Guide 6th Edition
    • ADCES Desk Reference & Review Guide 6th Edition
    • Pocketcards | Insulin & Diabetes Meds
    • Pancreas Partner & DiaCell
      • Pancreas Partner | Diabetes Teaching Tool
      • DiaCell | Diabetes Teaching Tool
      • Pancreas Partner | A Story
    • DiabetesEd Instructional Videos
    • Online Store Overview
  • Free Resources
    • CDCES Coach App
    • Monthly Newsletter | Sign-Up & Archives
    • Pocketcards | Insulin & Diabetes Meds
    • Cheat Sheet for Diabetes
    • FREE Live Webinars Available!
      • CDCES Prep Webinar & Resources
      • BC-ADM Prep Webinar & Resources
      • Test Taking Practice Exam Sample Questions Toolkit
      • CDCES or BC-ADM – Which is Right for Me?
      • 3 Steps to DeFeet Amputation
      • Language that Respects the Individual and Imparts Hope
      • Getting to the Gut, Meet Your Microbiome
      • Health Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
      • Mindfulness Webinar for Diabetes Specialists
      • Behavior Change Theory Made Easy
      • Strategies to Revitalize your Diabetes Program or Business
    • Testimonials – Live Webinars
    • FREE Resource Catalog
    • Blog Sign-Up
    • DiaBingo | Diabetes Bingo for FREE
    • Renewing My CDCES – What is Required?
    • Diabetes Article Library
      • Complete Article Library
      • Practice Guidelines
      • Exercise Resources
      • Plant Based Eating Resources
      • Meds Update Resource Page
  • BLOG BYTES
    • Blogs
    • Question of the Week!
    • Rationale of the Week
    • DiabetesEd Blog Bytes | Sign Up
    • Newsletter | Sign Up & Archives
  • Contact Us
Student Login

Diabetes Drugs & Medicare Negotiations | Diana Issacs, PharmD Breaks it Down

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES is a thought leader in the field of diabetes and has the opportunity to share her expertise as a podcast host, along with colleague Natalie Bellini, DNP, as part of HCP Live and Diabetes Dialogue’s educational series. In a recent program episode, “What Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Mean for Diabetes”, Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Bellini provide an informative and lively discussion on the newly announced Medicare Medication Price negotiation program.

What is this Medicare Drug Hubbub all about?

In order to improve the affordability of medications for those 65 and older with Medicare Part D, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced the first 10 drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected for negotiation as part of the Inflation Reduction Act,

The drugs chosen include the 10 drugs with the highest gross annual spending total, accounting for $50.5 billion in total Part D gross covered prescription costs per year and more than $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs.

Diabetes Medications Included:

There are four diabetes medications included among the ten drugs named for price reductions in this first go-round, which if approved, would take effect in January 2026.

The diabetes agents chosen for negotiation include:

  • The SGLT’s empagliflozin (Jardiance) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
  • An DPP-IV sitagliptin (Januvia)
  • and Novo Nordisk-specific insulin aspart products.

In the podcast, Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Bellini, comment on the lack of any GLP-1 or GLP-1 /GIP combo medications in the initial list and are curious about the inclusion of two SGLT-2 inhibitors and no basal insulin. In addition, there was some head-scratching around including insulin in the negotiations, since there is already a $35 Medicare payment cap on insulin therapy.

This group of medications was chosen in part, because according to CMS statistics, these agents accounted for more than $16 billion in total Part D spending from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023, which served as the evaluation period for the decision-making process.

As far as when this program will start, negotiated prices for the selected drugs will be announced by September 1, 2024, and those prices will come into effect starting January 1, 2026. The long-term goal is to expand this program as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. By 2027, the goal is to have 15 more medications covered under Part D for negotiation and up to 15 more drugs for negotiation in 2028, including drugs covered under Part B and Part D, and up to 20 more drugs for each year after.

Expect push backs from pharmaceutical companies. Drugmakers have said the new provisions are unconstitutional and have filed a series of lawsuits to try to stop them.

Thank you to hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology, and codirector of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, program director of Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals Diabetes. Click this link to listen to the complete program episode, “What Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Mean

for Diabetes”.

Diana Issacs Speaks for 2 Days in San Diego at our DiabetesEd Specialist Conference – You are invited

If you want to meet Diana in person and benefit from her expert knowledge, she will be co-teaching at our three-day DiabetesEd Specialist Training Program in San Diego on October 11-13th. You won’t want to miss her ADA Standards of Care update, along with her expertise on diabetes medications and her hands-on diabetes technology explanations.


Join Dr. Isaacs & team LIVE in San Diego for our
DiabetesEd Training Conference
October 11-13th, 2023


Two Registration Options

Register Now for the Basic DiabetesEd Live Conference | $599
Register Now for the DiabetesEd Live Conference | $699
5 Reasons to Join the Live Seminar

Join Coach Beverly and Team for two and a half days of knowledge-sharing, fun, networking, games with prizes, and “aha” moments in beautiful San Diego. 

You don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind learning opportunity. Get away from all those daily responsibilities and immerse yourself in a fun and intensive conference with plenty of networking opportunities.    

Attendees will leave this conference with new tools and a more complete understanding of the latest advances in diabetes care, from medications to technology to Medical Nutrition Therapy! 

Bring your colleagues and enjoy our friend discount.

Our team expertly translates the complex science of diabetes into understandable terms while keeping it real, practical, and fun. 

Team of expert faculty includes:

  • Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, BCACP, CDCES – Educator of the Year, 2020
  • Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
  • Ashley LaBrier, MS, RD, CDCES, Diabetes Program Coordinator 
Register Now for the Basic DiabetesEd Live Conference | $599
Register Now for the DiabetesEd Live Conference | $699

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Sign up for DiabetesEd Blog Bytes

* indicates required

 
 



The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

Diabetes Blog Bytes

Sign up now to receive the latest Blog Bytes in your inbox.

Top 5 Diabetes Resources

  • Which Study Tools are Right for Me?
  • Free Webinars with Coach Bev
  • New Specialty Topic CE Courses
  • CDCES Coach App
  • FREE Resource Catalog

Recent Blog Bytes

  • FREE Resources & Webinars with Coach Bev
  • Rationale of the Week | Why is annual kidney testing so important?
  • Question of the Week | NPH Insulin 3 Times a Day?

Footer Left Description

Diabetes Education Services offers education and training to diabetes educators in the areas of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes for the novice to the established professional. Whether you are training to be a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), practicing at an advanced level and interested in board certification, or a health care professional and/or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) who needs continuing education hours to renew your license or CDCES, we have diabetes education information, resources and training; learning and teaching tools; and diabetes online courses available for continuing education (CE). Read our disclaimer for full disclosure.

Footer Menu

  • Home
  • Getting Started
  • Events Calendar
  • Accreditation
  • Conferences
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

Social Links

Let’s Keep Connected

Sign up for our

Follow Us on

  • © 2023 Diabetes Education Services, All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
    530-893-8635
  • Footer Bottom Description
    Diabetes Educational Services (DES) has established this website to provide information and education to health care professionals. Nothing in this website constitutes medical advice nor is it a substitute for medical advice. References in this website to any and all specific products, services or processes do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by Diabetes Educational Services.