Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health challenge in the United States because of its prevalence and the concomitant increased risks of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. The prevalence of T2DM, its comorbidities, and its complications are higher in Louisiana than in most other states. Although there is considerable evidence of the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications and antidiabetic drugs for diabetes and associated cardiovascular disease risk, the evidence for population- and policy-level approaches remains limited. A recently implemented billing code enables primary care professionals to receive payments for non–face-to-face chronic care management (NFFCCM) under the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. This study evaluated the impacts of this reimbursement policy on glycemic control, diabetes complications, and health care use. It is the first natural experiment to test the impacts of reimbursement policy eligibility and implementation on diabetes outcomes in Louisiana.
