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RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—In time for Diabetes Awareness Month this month, VSP Global is deploying a new program for doctors as part of an ongoing commitment to support and reinvest in private practice optometrists. Doctors and staff who complete Premier Academy360 education courses, such as those offered in the Diabetes Education Track, can now attain and display the badges they earn on the VSP Find a Doctor Directory, which receives over three-million-member visits per month. The badging program is intended to highlight the unique strengths and abilities of practices to enhance the patient experience, the company said.

“On average, VSP members are up to six times more likely to go in for their annual eye exam, compared to receiving an annual physical from their primary care physician. This underscores the important role VSP network doctors play in the early detection of diabetes and driving better health outcomes for their patients,” said Michelle Skinner, VSP Global chief network officer. "Through this badging program, practices can raise their visibility and attract new patients by highlighting their unique strengths and dedication to offering specialized care for those living with diabetes, as well as those at risk for it.”

More than 500 doctors are on their way to qualifying for one or more badges that went live on November 18:
• Practices who complete the Premier Academy360 Diabetes Education Track, will receive the American Diabetes Association Badge which communicates to patients that a practice location is committed to connecting vision to the overall health of those at risk or living with diabetes.

• Practices that want to highlight their overall dedication to elevating the patient experience and ongoing training in practice management are encouraged to earn the Academy360 Training Badge.

VSP continues to deploy multiple health-focused initiatives and programs to support members, doctors, and clients in the fight against diabetes. The VSP Global Premier Program continues to offer no-cost diabetes focused continuing education courses, educational podcasts and live and on-demand webinars and elearning courses through through Academy360.

VSP Vision Care continues a first-of-its-kind partnership with Livongo to help mutual members close clinical gaps in care, as VMAIL previously reported. VSP also has introduced an in-practice HbA1c screening pilot program which helped VSP Vision Care underscore the important role optometrists play in early detection of prediabetes and diabetes, also reported in VMAIL. The VSP Primary EyeCare Plan and the VSP Diabatic Eyecare Plus Program maximize benefit options for patients with diabetes.

As reported, VSP Vision Care continues to serve as a visionary partner of Focus on Diabetes a multi-year initiative from the American Diabetes Association that focuses on the overlooked but costly and devastating complication of diabetes: vision loss. The company continues to roll out a stream of content centered around education and awareness about diabetes and eye health, including the popular Ask an Eye Doctor series featuring VSP network doctors.