Living Well with Diabetes

Talk with your doctor about the following things you can do to manage your diabetes and avoid other problems that could harm your health.

• Learn why knowing your blood glucose levels is so important. Managing your blood sugar is one of the most important things to staying healthy. Both low and high blood sugar levels are dangerous for people with diabetes. Learn more about managing your glucose levels here.
• Check your blood sugar regularly and keep a diary. Self-test regularly at home with finger pricks and have an A1C test in your doctor’s office at least every three to four months.
• Make healthy decisions at every meal. Fill your plate with a variety of natural foods. Avoid processed foods and limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Click here to learn more diet and nutrition tips. Medicare also covers a medical nutrition therapy benefit for people with diabetes. This allows you to meet with a registered dietician for assistance with your diet. If you want to meet with a dietician, ask your doctor for a referral. Click here for more information.
• If your doctor prescribes medication, take it as prescribed—even if you’re feeling good. Click here to learn more about medications for diabetes.
• Be physically active. Get at least 30 minutes of activity five times a week. Physical activity can even include walking, talking the stairs or gardening. Click here to learn more about diabetes and exercise.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is more dangerous for people with diabetes. Click here to learn more about the impact smoking has on people living with diabetes.
• Take care of your mental health. Older adults with diabetes are more likely to become depressed and develop dementia.²Click here to learn more about diabetes and mental health.
• Ensure your feet are in good shape. You should check your feet every day and consider keeping a log. Be on the lookout for changes to your skin and nails as well as redness, swelling, cuts and sores, blisters, corns, and calluses. Plus, you should have a podiatrist or foot specialist examine your feet at least once a year. Click here for more about keeping your feet healthy.
• Keep a log of your injection sites. If you are injecting insulin, it is important to remember to rotate your injection sites, and a good way to do that is to keep log. Here is more information on choosing and rotating injection sites.
• Take care of your kidneys. Talk to your doctor about have regular urine tests to check for proteins, and blood tests to find out how well your kidneys are working. On your own you can help your kidneys stay healthy by cutting back on salt and limiting your alcohol use. Here are other ideas about preventing kidney problems.
  

2 http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/12/2650

Have you considered a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)? A CGM is a wearable device that is inserted under your skin. It provides blood sugar levels continuously throughout the day. This is different from a traditional blood glucose monitor, that only measures blood sugar levels when you do a fingerstick.

The most common CGM brand names are Freestyle Libre and Dexcom.

Ask your doctor if a CGM might be right for you. If it is, please see the questions and answers below.

Q: Will SCAN cover my CGM?

A: A CGM and supplies are covered if you:

• Have diabetes; AND
• Had a visit within the last 6 months with your doctor; AND
• You are using insulin; OR you have a history of problems with low blood sugar

Q: How do I get my CGM supplies?

A: CGM supplies are covered under your durable medical equipment (DME) benefit. Please ask your doctor to submit an authorization to your medical group for CGM supplies.

Once your authorization is approved, your CGM supplies will be sent to your home directly from the DME company that works with your medical group. The DME company will contact you for shipping information and any copay.

Note: Your CGM supplies are not part of your pharmacy benefit. If you get CGM supplies from your local pharmacy, they won’t be covered and you will have to pay out of pocket.

Please call SCAN Member Services if you have any questions. The number is on the back of your member ID card.

Q: What information does my doctor need to request a CGM authorization?

A: Generally, your doctor will need to send:

1. Documentation showing that you meet the coverage requirements to use CGM supplies (see question above)
2. A prescription for your CGM supplies
3. Documentation showing your diabetes is being managed by your doctor at least every 6 months

Your medical group may ask for additional information.

Q: I recently got CGM supplies at my pharmacy, why is my refill now being rejected?

A: If you already have a CGM, you may have been able to get your supplies at the pharmacy because it was in the first 90 days after you became a SCAN member. This is done so that you have enough supplies to last while your doctor requests an authorization from your medical group. Going forward, your CGM supplies must be provided by the DME company that works with your medical group.

We offer support, useful tools, and benefits to help you keep your diabetes in check:

• Use your annual Health Check Record. It has your personalized information and a chart for tracking your care. The Health Check record is sent electronically. If you’ve registered your online SCAN member account, you can view your online record at the SCAN member portal. The online record is customized just for you, and it’s updated monthly. If you haven’t registered your online SCAN member account, click here.
• Download your own blood sugar diary and keep track of your blood sugar levels and share them with your doctor.
• Special diabetes editions of SCAN Club with useful information on health and benefits for our members with diabetes.
• Coverage in all SCAN plans for regular exams, recommended screenings, diabetes medications and blood glucose monitors and related supplies prescribed by your doctor (copayments vary)

Surprisingly, one out of four people with diabetes doesn’t know he or she has it! Some 88 million Americans (more than one out of three) have prediabetes.³ This is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is serious and puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

If you’re experiencing symptoms—such as dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth or having to visit the bathroom often—ask your doctor as soon as possible for a blood test to check for diabetes.

Find out more about your risk of developing type 2 diabetes here.

3 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html

These online services can give you information and tools that can help you manage your diabetes. You will also be able to talk to other people with diabetes. Talk to your doctor about classes or support groups they might be able to refer you to. 

Programs and Classes

SCAN offers you our Living Well with Diabetes online workshop. For more information email us at: livingwell@scanhealthplan.com or call 1-800-388-4945

American Diabetes Association—you can also call them at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)

American Association of Diabetic Educators

Living with Type 2 Diabetes Online Program

Support Services

American Diabetes Association

Diabetes Daily

TuDiabetes

Educational Events

The American Diabetes Association offers free educational Ask the Experts Q&A series—click here or call 1-855-565-0595 for more information.

Miscellaneous

American Diabetes Association Patient Education Library

American Diabetes Association “In It Together” Podcast 

Helping Older Family Members Become More Active