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Diabetes Education Services

Although serious, diabetes is a manageable disease. Overlake’s Diabetes Education Services team teaches you how to manage your diabetes to help you lead a healthy life and reduce the risk of complications.

Your Diabetes Education Team

Overlake Medical Center's Diabetes Education Services has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Self-Management Education.* Our team approach to care is designed to help adults, their friends, support persons and family members learn and practice the skills needed to manage and control their diabetes.

Our team consists of registered nurses and dietitians that are Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs). In addition, other healthcare providers, such as pharmacists, are available to provide additional education specific to diabetes self-management. The diabetes education team provides comprehensive information to help you manage your diabetes.

Topics include:

  • Diabetes and its complications
  • How to monitor glucose levels
  • What to eat
  • Exercise
  • Medication management
  • Eye and foot care
  • Goal-setting and stress management
  • Sick-day management
  • Community resources
  • Medicare coverage for glucose supplies

One-On-One Education

You and your physician may decide to begin with individual consultations with a diabetes nurse educator and registered dietitian. You will learn to monitor your glucose levels, set goals for managing your diabetes and work to develop a meal plan that fits your taste and lifestyle.

For appointments, call (425) 688-5700.

Diabetes Education Classes

Classes are led by certified diabetes educators and are offered several times each month in the morning or afternoon. They are kept small to help individualize the information as much as possible. Some insurance policies (such as Medicare Part B) require that most diabetes education take place in a class setting. Prerequisite: Attend a one-on-one diabetes education session.

For more information, call (425) 688-5700.

Diabetes Community Education & Lectures

Overlake's Community Education Department also offers free classes on a variety of diabetes-related topics to help you and your family. These are general overview sessions and are not meant to replace individual and group diabetes training. 

You can register for classes online or by phone at (425) 688-5259. 

Medicare Coverage for Blood Glucose Supplies

Medicare covers blood-glucose supplies including test strips, meters and lancets whether you are using diet, medication or insulin to control your diabetes. This includes people who are enrolled in Medicare Part B or Medicare managed care. Deductibles and co-pays may apply to this benefit.

Eligibility

To be eligible for coverage you must:

  • Be treated by a physician for diabetes, being seen at least every six months.
  • Have your physician provide a written prescription that includes the specific number of strips and lancets needed, whether or not you use insulin and how often you will be testing.
  • Have received training to do blood glucose monitoring or are scheduled to be trained.
  • Be capable of using the test results to help you obtain blood-glucose control

Quantity Guidelines

The quantity of test strips and lancets provided depends on your medical needs. The general guidelines provide:

  • For diabetes controlled by diet and exercise or by oral medications you can receive 100 test strips every three months and 100 lancets every three months.
  • For diabetes controlled by insulin you may receive 100 test strips and 100 lancets every month.

To receive more than 100 test strips every three months you must have:

  • Your physician request in writing the need for additional strips.
  • Been seen by the treating physician within six months for an evaluation of your diabetes control.
  • Your treating physician maintain documentation in your medical record of your blood-glucose results and any changes in your diabetes medication regime.
  • Documentation of your need for more test strips that should accompany the Medicare claim form submitted by the pharmacist. Your pharmacist may ask to copy your testing logbook to send in to Medicare with the claim form.

Prescription drugs, insulin and syringes are not covered under Medicare. If you have any questions, you can call the Medicare toll-free hotline at (800) 638-6833. For general information, you can also visit the American Diabetes Association.