Diabetes Education

Diabetes Education, also called diabetes self-care training, is a set of organized counseling services designed to assist those with diabetes to work with their health care team to help take care of better themselves, and to improve their health and well being.

The service provides patients and caregivers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed for proper self-care. Diabetes self-care is about making better and informed choices on a daily basis to help improve blood sugars and other aspects of diabetes control such as: weight management, cholesterol and blood pressure.

We offer outpatient diabetes education at Trinity Medical Center Monday through Friday during our regular business hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Our comprehensive outpatient program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for excellence. Our program is staffed with Board Certified Diabetes Educators: Registered Nurse/CDE and Registered Dietitian/CDE. Physical Therapy and Pharmacy staff help support monthly group classes.

Appointments are made through Trinity scheduling at 592-1489. A written referral by the physician treating the diabetes is required to participate in the program. Our easy referral form is available by calling our office.  Once completed and signed by the doctor, it can be faxed to us at (205) 592-5946.

Diabetes education is covered by Medicare part B and many other health plans. Trinity Diabetes Education is also a provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, United Health Care, Health Springs, TriCare and Viva health care plans.

      Medicare and Medi-gap programs such as Seniors First, Medicare Complete and Viva Medicare cover:

• Up to ten hours of training in the 1st year after initial physician referral
           Individual sessions: Assessment, Basic self-care skills, Injection therapy (Insulin, Byetta, Symlin).
           Small group sessions 2-10 patients: For more in-depth training
• ALSO two hours per year allowed in the follow-up years after initial training completed.
           So if you have had diabetes education covered by Medicare in the past, a refresher class is also covered.

 An individual appointment will help provide you with basic self-care skills including:
• Meal planning basics
• Blood sugar testing at home
• Proper use of diabetes medication
• Insulin injection therapy (Also Byetta or Symlin)
• How to recognize, treat and prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• When to contact the physician office for problems
• Basic daily self-care of feet
• Using community resources for supplies and other services as needed

After completing basic skills training, the next step is to return for more in-depth classes and follow-up (usually group classes):
Comprehensive class topics include:
 Diabetes facts
 Coping skills for living healthy with diabetes
 Meal planning tips for your best diabetes control
 Exercise guidelines for safe exercise and for weight loss
 Better understanding of diabetes medications and over the counter medicines
 Prevention and care of foot problems
 Trouble shooting blood sugar testing problems
 Prevention, detection & treatment of diabetes related health problems
 Prevention, detection & treatment of high and low blood sugar
 Goal setting and problem solving

On the day of your first visit with us: 

 Follow your normal daily routine before coming to see us. 
    Do not skip breakfast; do not come fasting to your visit with the educator.
 Bring your medications or a list of your medications with you.
 If you have a blood sugar meter (test machine), please bring it with you.
 If you do not have a meter yet, we can help you with one at your visit.
 If you have an insurance co-pay for your visit, please bring it with you.

Directions to the Trinity Medical Center Diabetes Education Services:

Our offices are on the 4th floor of the School of Nursing building (plaza level).  You may park in the West Parking Deck on the top level.  This deck is across from the emergency room and next to our building.  Please be aware there is a charge for parking.  The cost to exit the west parking deck is $3.00. You may also park in the visitors parking deck. The cost to exit this deck will vary depending upon how long you are parked there.

We would be delighted to work with you and your physician to help manage your diabetes and would like to be your partner on your journey to better health with diabetes. If you have any questions about the program, please call our office at (205) 592-1466.