What is Diabetes Class?

Hills & Dales General Hospital offers diabetes education services to help people learn the information and skills they need to manage their diabetes. One of the services we provide are diabetes education classes. Here are some frequently asked questions about our diabetes education classes:

When do you offer classes?
We start a new class series every other month. Each series is 4 classes, and meet for 2 hours each. We vary the times that each series starts (morning, afternoon and evening) to try and help people fit it in their schedule.

How many people are in your classes?
We keep our class sizes small so that everyone has a chance to participate and ask questions. Most classes have between 4-8 people attending.

What happens at diabetes class?
We sit around a table together; it's not a lecture! The educator sits with everyone and we use a visual aid called a Conversation Map to guide our discussion. We work to help everyone participate to the level that they are comfortable with and make sure that your questions are answered. Some people are very talkative and like to ask a lot of questions. Other people are more quiet and would rather do more listening than talking. Whatever your style is, we can work with you.

What if I miss one of the classes, can I make it up later?
Yes, if you miss a class and want to come back another month to make it up, you are welcomed to do so.

Who teaches diabetes class?
Our diabetes classes are taught by both the nurse educator and the dietitian.

What do you talk about at diabetes class?
Class One: The class covers the basics about diabetes- what it is, what type of diabetes you have and how diabetes is managed, including meal planning, exercise and coping with stress.
Class Two: In this class, the Registered Dietitian will lead a discussion about the relationship between food and diabetes and how to make a healthy meal plan to help control your diabetes.
Class Three: This class is all about blood sugar- what is the goal range for blood sugar, what to do if it is too high or too low, what are the signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar, and times for checking your blood sugar at home. We will also discuss how to plan for disasters and emergency situations when you have diabetes.
Class Four: We discuss medications that are used for treating diabetes, how to prevent long-term complications of diabetes, and vaccines that are recommended for people with diabetes. We will talk about your goals for managing your diabetes and help you make a plan to achieve your goals and get the support you need to stay on track.

Do I need an order from my doctor?
Yes, insurances (including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance) require a doctor's order. If your insurance permits, we can also accept an order from a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant if that is who provides your medical care.

Do you bill insurance for diabetes class?
Yes, we will bill your private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid for the classes.

What if I don't have insurance?
Hills & Dales General Hospital offers a financial assistance program for people who do not have insurance, or who have high deductibles or co-pays. Please ask about our financial assistance program and we can get you an application. You can get information about the hospital's financial assistance program at the hospital's website: https://hdghmi.org/about/financial-assistance/

Does my insurance cover the cost for diabetes class?
It depends on your insurance. Medicare will cover the cost for diabetes class, but only once: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/diabetes-self-management-training
Michigan Medicaid also covers the cost of diabetes classes. For private insurances, we have to check. We can either check with your insurance after we get an order from your doctor, or, you can check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the cost of diabetes classes and if you have any co-pay or deductible costs.

What if I have special needs and cannot attend a group class?
We can accommodate people who have special needs and require individual instruction instead of
a group class. Some examples of special needs include, but are not limited to, vision or hearing impairment, physical limitations, cognitive impairment, or language needs. Insurance often requires that your doctor identify the needs that you have in order to approve individual instruction instead of a group class.

If you have any other questions about diabetes classes or would like to contact us, our phone number is (989)912-6365.

The prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) service was recently awarded to the Hills & Dales General Hospital service on December 12, 2018. The DSMES service was originally recognized in January of 2007. ADA believes that this service offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

 

The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. The DSMES Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012, and 2017.

 

DSMES services apply for Recognition voluntarily. Services that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. “The process gives professionals national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide, comments Kathy Dropeski, RN, CDE.  “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.” Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day more than 3,900 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 18 years or older in 2015.  Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the US in 2015 as it contributed to 252,806 deaths. 

 

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, people with diabetes and the public. Founded in 1940, the Association continues to support people affected by diabetes nationwide.

 

For more information on Recognized education services in your area or other American Diabetes Association programs, call  the ADA office at 1.800. DIABETE (342-2383) or contact the ADA online at www.diabetes.org/erp