diabetes self-management education and support

What is a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support

More than 100 million Anericans are affected by diabetes or pre diabetes, and that number is only expected to increase.  Whether it’s Type 1, Type 2, gestational, LADA or cardiometabolic conditions, daily management is needed to reduce complications, support emotional and mental health, and live a life that is not defined by the disease.

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is delivered by diaberes care and education specialists.  Collaboratively, the work with a person who has diabetes to create a plan of care that is personalized to their lifestyle, culture, beliefs, and environment.  Session cover everything from understanding how to use devices like blood glucose meters, insulin pens, pumps, and continuous glucose monitors, to interpreting data from these devices to identifying patterns and areas of concern.  We journey together and work to find solutions to address their most pressing challenges. As a central point of the diabetes care team, our diabetes care and education specialists are uniquely positioned to:

– Reduce readmissions and encourage long-term self-management
– Lower costs for your providers, practices, organizations, health systems, and the person with diabetes
– Improve quality measure, outcomes, and health at an individual and population level
– Improve productivity and performance for your practice, health system, or health plan.

Refer to a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

To quality for DCMES, an individual mush have documentation of being diagnosed with diabests and a written referral by the provider who is trating them for their diabetes.  Diagnosis criteria must meet either a fasting blood glucose >126 mg/dl on two separate occasions, a 2-hour post-glucose challenge of >200 mg/dl on two separate occasions, or a random glucose test of >200 mg/dl with symptoms of unmanaged diabetes.  Providers should ensure the individual understands their diagnosis next steps and make sure they can access the DSMES program.  Insurance coverage status for DSMES should be verified to ensure a smooth transition into the program.

When referring a patient, it is critical that people with diabetes take advantage of DSMES services at diagnosis to build a strong foundation of health habits and reduce the risk of dangerous hypoglycemic events.  Additionally, Medicare and some private insurance carriers cover 10 hours of DSMES sevices in the first year after diagnosis.  To refer a patient to Sorogi’s DSMES program, CLICK HERE.

Diabetes Education Focused on Success

While you manage your patients’ care, our diabetes care and education specialists focus on empowering them to manage their diabetes.

They teach, coach, and guide patients to understand their diabetes in their personal lives and work with them to set and meet goals to improve their health.