Physician Advocacy Helps Advance Diabetes Screening Equity in New York
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A recently passed New York State Senate bill aims to improve early detection of diabetes among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities by aligning insurance coverage with modern clinical screening guidelines.
The legislation, sponsored by State Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Ron Kim, requires health insurance plans to cover diabetes screening for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or greater in populations where evidence demonstrates increased metabolic risk at lower BMI levels.
Current clinical guidelines recognize that AAPI populations develop metabolic disease, including type 2 diabetes, at lower BMI thresholds than other populations. While a BMI of 25 is traditionally used to define overweight status in the general population, a BMI of 23 is considered overweight for many AAPI patients, placing them at increased risk of diabetes and its complications.
However, insurance screening criteria have historically relied on the higher BMI threshold, creating a gap in access to early screening for at-risk patients.
MSSNY member Charles Lopresto, DO, Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Medical Society of the County of Queens and an internal medicine physician in Queens, worked with lawmakers to provide clinical context supporting the legislation.
“Type 2 diabetes can remain undiagnosed for years because many patients are asymptomatic,” said Dr. Lopresto. “By the time the disease is discovered, many individuals have already developed complications such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or vision loss. Ensuring appropriate screening thresholds for at-risk populations is an important step toward prevention.”
In Queens, one of the most diverse counties in the United States and home to large AAPI communities, physicians regularly encounter patients with complications of undiagnosed diabetes.
According to the New York State Department of Health, diabetes prevalence in Queens remains significant, with more than 11 percent of adults diagnosed with the condition. Health leaders hope the legislation will help ensure earlier screening, diagnosis, and treatment for vulnerable populations.
“This legislation helps align insurance policy with the realities physicians see in clinical practice,” Dr. Lopresto said. “Ultimately, it will help prevent avoidable complications and improve health outcomes in our communities.”
