Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | Blue for Your Health | Winter 2020

Learn how to live better with diabetes in the coming year

When you learn that you have diabetes, your first question might be, “What can I eat?” Diabetic Self-Management Education and Support services (DSMES) will answer this question and many others. Your first step should be to ask your health care provider to refer you for DSMES. If your provider does not talk to you about these services, bring it up during your visit. DSMES services include a health care team who will teach you how to stay healthy and how to make what you learn a regular part of your life. DSMES services will help you: ■ ■ Make better decisions about your diabetes

■ ■ Work with your health care team to get the support you need ■ ■ Understand how to take care of yourself and learn the skills to: •  Eat healthy •  Be active •  Check your blood sugar (glucose) •  Take your medicine •  Solve problems •  Cope with the emotional side of diabetes •  Reduce your risk of other health problems Why is DSMES important? ■ ■ Learning how to control your diabetes will save money and time, plus help you have fewer emergency and hospital visits. ■ ■ Knowing how and when to

take your medication, how to monitor your blood sugar (glu- cose), and how to take care of yourself helps you manage your diabetes better. ■ ■ Managing your diabetes will help you avoid or delay serious health complications. ■ ■ People who have the knowl- edge and support to manage their diabetes are healthier than those who do not. ■ ■ The skills you learn will help you take better care of yourself. Diabetes management starts with you. DSMES services help people with diabetes learn how to take the best care of themselves. Ask your provider for a referral to DSMES services to help you manage your diabetes better. Schedule an appointment with a provider who is in the Blue Cross Community Centen- nial network. If you need help locating a provider, please contact Blue Cross Community Centennial Member Services at 866-689-1523 (TTY: 711 ). If you need a ride to your provider appointment, call LogistiCare (at least three working days before your visit) at 866-913-4342 (TTY: 866-288-3133 ). Centennial Rewards are available. To learn more, visit centennialrewards.com or call 877-806-8964 (TTY: 844-488-9722 ). Article derived and adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov: cdc.gov/ diabetes/managing/education.html

8 Blue for Your Health Winter 2020