Diabetes Self-Management Education

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) promotes quality education for people with diabetes. The Association endorses National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Hendrick Diabetes Self-Management Program follows these guidelines.

Self-Management Education Classes

• Comprehensive Diabetes Education
  Provides comprehensive diabetes self-management education for all individuals with diabetes who want to manage their diabetes and achieve successful health-related outcomes. These classes are Thursdays from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. (You are required to attend only one all-day class.)
  Class includes:
  • an assessment by the dietician and nurse educators
  • an individualized meal plan
  • a comprehensive foot exam
  • approximately seven and one-half hours of group education (addressing the Standards of Care)
  • an invitation to the Follow-Up Class
• Insulin Administration Education
  Provides education on insulin and self-injection of insulin in either a group or individual appointment. (Classes last for one to two hours.)
  Class includes:
  • an assessment by the nurse educator
  • a telephone follow-up call the next day after the appointment
  • additional contact as appropriate
• Gestational Diabetes Education
  provides information on blood glucose control during pregnancy when gestational diabetes is present. The program content is geared toward meeting the participant’s needs. Pregnancy and Diabetes appointments for patients with diabetes who become, or plan to become, pregnant also are available. These appointments provide information on preparing for pregnancy and/or blood glucose control during pregnancy when diabetes is present.
  Class includes:
  • an assessment by the dietician and nurse educator
  • individualized meal plan
  • two-hour group education
  • additional follow up contact as appropriate
• Individual Comprehensive Education
  Appointments are scheduled for two hours with the dietician and nurse educator. We recommend individual appointments for those with hearing, physical limitations, special learning needs or language barriers. Most insurances and medicare will not cover an individual appointment unless there is a special circumstance.
  The class includes:
  • an assessment by the dietician and nurse educator
  • an individualized meal plan
  • two hours of education
  • follow up contact as appropriate
  • an invitation to the Diabetes Review class
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
  Medical Nutrition Therapy involves an individual appointment with a dietitian emphasizing nutrition in diabetes management. MNT is integral to both the treatment and prevention of diabetes. Studies show diabetes patients who receive additional MNT have a slower progression rate of diabetes and its related complications compared to those who do not receive MNT.
  Appointment includes:
  • Nutrition assessment and diagnosis
  • Nutrition therapy/counseling
  • Meal plan and lifestyle modification
  • Additional follow-up contact, as appropriate

  A physician or licensed practitioner must refer the patient.

  Insurance Information
  Medicare

  • Covers three hours at 80 percent in the beneficiary’s initial year.
  • After the initial calendar year, Medicare covers two hours per year for follow-up at 80 percent.
  • A change in diagnosis or medical condition, as determined by a physician, may warrant additional coverage.
  • This coverage is in addition to the DSME Program offered at Hendrick. Patients receive the most benefit from attending both DSME and MNT.
  Private pay insurance varies, and financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, contact Ansleigh Mills, MS, RD, LD, CDE at 670.4342 or amills@hendrickhealth.org.
• Diabetes Follow-Up Class
• Comprehensive Diabetes Education (evening classes)

Benefits of Diabetes Self-Management Education

• Individualized assessment
• Individualized education
• Opportunity for family involvement
• Improved patient outcomes
• Reduced risk of complications Reduced medical care costs

Diabetes educators provide:

• Assessment of educational needs
• Assessment of current lab values
• An overview of diabetes and how your body works
• Assistance with patient designed self-management goals
• Self-monitoring and use of the results
• Individualized meal plan and medical nutrition therapy
• Medication teaching and insulin administration instruction
• Exercise and activity recommendations
• Education regarding prevention and management of acute and chronic complications
• Foot and skin care guidelines
• The signs, symptoms and treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Sick day guidelines
• Gestational diabetes education

Steps to Access Diabetes Self-Management Education

Step 1:

• Download and print the blank prescription form here.
• Fill out the following (Please print.):
  • Name
  • Check the box if you do not speak English or have other special needs.
  • Check Male or Female.
  • Date of Birth
  • Insurance Carrier (If you do not have insurance, please call 325-670-4160 for financial assistance, or if you have questions concerning your insurance, please call 325-670-2498 for the insurance verifier.)
  • Current phone number

Step 2:

• Take the prescription form to your physician. He/she will fill out the rest of the requirements, sign and fax it to our Diabetes Educators (325-670-5310).

Once the Diabetes Educators receive the completed prescription from your physician, they will contact you to schedule your class day.