OVERVIEW

Some health care providers with your health plan may participate in the American Diabetes Association Provider Recognition Program. This program recognizes health care providers who have an interest in diabetes care and meet certain standards. These providers may offer additional diabetes education and services to their patients. Check with the available health plan(s) to see if any of their providers participate in this program.

Ask your health plan if any of its providers conduct "Group," or "Cluster," visits. Such visits bring together several patients with a team of health care providers to receive information, ask questions, interact with one another, and offer emotional support and coping skills. Patients can also receive a one-on-one session with each health care provider following the group meeting. These group and private meetings help patients become more involved with taking care of themselves. Look for indications that the health plan assesses the members' risk of complications from diabetes and that it provides appropriate services for members at all risk levels. For example, a member with relatively low A1C may require less intensive interaction with providers than a member who has higher A1C levels, is overweight, and has circulatory problems.

Once you have selected your health plan, be sure that your provider listens carefully to what you say. The best approach to diabetes management is a partnership between you and your provider team. You need to be sure that you are working well together.