Loading ...Diabetes Self-Management Training
According to Medicare.gov, Diabetes Self-Management Training is a program set up by the government to provide training for people who are at risk for diabetes complications and have Medicare coverage. The Diabetes Self-Management Training includes general diabetes information, information on how to monitor blood glucose levels and how insulin, diet and exercise fit into caring for this disease. To take part in the program individuals must meet certain criteria, including a recommendation from a doctor. The Diabetes Self-Management Training must be given by a certified diabetes self-management education program. Sound useful? It is, but access is difficult to come by.
Legislation
Senate Bill 3211 proposed by Senator Shaheen would work to improve access to this training by designating certified diabetes educators to provide the outpatient training to selected individuals. According to the American Association of Diabetes Educators, this improved access is critical to decreasing end-stage complications and mortality rates for the millions living with diabetes or who are at risk in the United States. In a “Dear Colleague” letter from Senator Shaheen’s office, it explains how costly diabetes is with one out of every five dollars spent caring for someone with this illness and one out of every ten dollars is attributed to diabetes. The number of people living in the United States with diabetes has tripled over the last generation and now is the time to provide more care and more help. In short, this will help people on Medicare live healthier lives because self-management training is imperative to reducing the chances for complications.
How you can Help
The American Association of Diabetes Educators says that this legislation has been previously overlooked which is especially disappointing because it’s virtually free, life changing and lifesaving. Now, together with Senator Shaheen, we can all pitch in to make sure this is not overlooked again. KeyVive urges you to call your Senator today to voice your concerns and urge them to co-sponsor the Senate Bill 3211 with Senator Shaheen.
When you call your Senator, ask to speak to the Health Legislative Assistant. Let them know that they should have received a “Dear Colleague” letter from Senator Shaheen’s office. For more information on the diabetes self-management training or to get help placing a call to your Senator, visit the American Association of Diabetes Educators website. (http://capwiz.com/taade/callalert/index.tt?alertid=14990796)
By: Raechel Conover
Photo credit: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home.html
