Before attending classes and/or sessions at the Pennsylvania Hospital Diabetes Education Center, patients must have the following:
- A prescription from their primary care provider or other provider managing their diabetes
- A referral from their insurance provider, if needed*
*Patients should check with their insurance provider to verify if a referral is required for the services.
All sessions with the Diabetes Education Center are submitted to the client’s insurance company for payment. Each person who attends sessions at the DEC is required to contact their insurance company to determine coverage for appointments prior to attending any sessions. Some insurance companies charge a co-pay or require a deductible to be met before covering sessions. Co-payments are not collected at the DEC, rather, clients will be billed. It is the responsibility of each participant to know the fee for service prior to attending their appointment.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Program
The accredited DSMES Program at the Diabetes Education Center consists of both one-on-one and group education.
Participants of the DSEMS program begin with a pre-class, initial assessment appointment. During this visit, the educator reviews a patient’s day-to-day diabetes routines including medication management, glucose records, if applicable, and eating and activity patterns. Program participants then complete a 3-class series where they learn about diabetes basics, medication management, the prevention of long-term complications, healthy eating for diabetes, goal setting, and more.
Follow-up sessions are strongly encouraged for ongoing, individualized education.
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
Following completion of the DSMES program, clients are encouraged to schedule ongoing medical nutrition therapy individual sessions with our team of Registered Dietitians. The number of MNT sessions scheduled is determined by an individual’s insurance plan.
Through nutrition counseling, patients work with a registered dietitian to create an individualized, sustainable nutrition plan. Topics include reading nutrition labels and learning to build balanced meals and snacks.
Individual Sessions
Individual sessions are available to clients who are unable to participate in the DSMES program. Individual education is also recommended for:
- Gestational diabetes management
- Medical nutrition therapy/nutrition counseling
- Weight management
- Insulin or injectable medication training
- Insulin pump download with evaluation of pump settings
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with evaluation
Pre-Diabetes Education Group Classes
The Diabetes Education Center helps patients in developing healthy eating habits and incorporating physical activity into their daily lives through diabetes prevention education. These 2-hour group classes are held monthly.
National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP)
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for individuals who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The program is facilitated by certified lifestyle change coaches. The program encourages participants to make healthy food choices and commit to 150 minutes of physical activity weekly to promote a 5-7% weight change over the program. The Diabetes Education Center offers the NDPP for Medicare participants who qualify for the program. Groups start in August every year and run through July of the following year.
LOCATION and CONTACT INFORMATION
Garfield Duncan Building
700 Spruce Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-829-5725
Fax: 215-829-7712
Email: DiabetesEducationCenterPAH@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu