Physicians Health Plan has entered into a partnership with physicians to promote education and self-management concepts to members with diabetes. There are several types of diabetes: diet controlled diabetes, non-insulin dependent diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes and gestational diabetes (diabetes only when pregnant).
Management of diabetes is a life-long process and most individuals with the disease can live a normal healthy lifestyle when blood sugar is controlled. Preventing complications such as kidney disease, decreased vision or blindness and circulation problems are key. There are several important clinical services that help to control blood sugar and prevent complications; for example, a dilated eye exam may detect eye disease before the individual is diagnosed with diabetes; special foot care may detect certain circulatory problems before a person looses a limb, and maintaining a special diet will help to control blood sugar. A special blood test (HbA1c) can detect how well an individual's blood sugar has been under control for the past three months which is a key to controlling diabetes.
The Living With Diabetes program encourages members to:
- Get a dilated eye exam yearly
- Get a HbA1c test at least twice a year
- Get a cholesterol test at least yearly
- Get a foot exam with each doctors visit
- Do not smoke
- Have a micro albuminuria test yearly
Services that PHP offers include:
- Health Promotion:
Seminars for members with diabetes and their family members to promote education about diabetes, complications and daily care. A semi-annual newsletter is mailed to members with diabetes and has many informational articles on medication, foot care, eye care, kidney disease, nutrition and recipes, exercise, tips for healthy living, web sites and announcements.
- Diabetes Education:
A diabetes education program is available to support the physician's plan of care and the individual's management of diabetes. The education includes topics such as, medications, nutrition, foot care, eye exams, exercise, blood sugar control, complications and glucose monitoring. Classes offered on diabetes to members are taught by certified diabetes educators. Members with diabetes who attend the class and do not have a glucose monitor can receive one free with one-on-one instruction. Diabetes education classes must be ordered by the physician and coordinated with an approved provider.
- Enrollment in Program
PHP looks forward to working with you and your physician toward your success in managing your diabetes. For further information about enrolling in the program (or disenrolling), call 517.364.8466, or 1.877.803.2551 toll-free, then select option 1.
Click here to complete your Enrollment Form and submit online through our secure server.
Visit the following Web sites for more information on diabetes prevention and management:
The Sparrow Regional Diabetes Center provides services for persons with diabetes and their families. This program was established in 1969 and certified by the Michigan Department of Community Health in 1995. The full diabetes center was awarded recognition by the American Diabetes Association in 1997. The Sparrow Regional Diabetes Center offers the most comprehensive services for people with diabetes in the mid-Michigan area.
Visit the American Diabetes Association (ADA) web site for additional information concerning Diabetes.