Life Changing Diabetes Care

Why Diabetes Care Matters

Diabetes touches every part of your day. It can shape your energy, mood, food choices, medication routine, and safety at home and on the go. If you want a single place to start, we built a simple overview that explains how diabetes can affect daily life and how an advocate can guide you through it. Read more at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/diabetes

Our goal is to translate medical guidance into everyday steps you can actually use. Everything below is grounded in trusted clinical sources and reflects current guidance on diagnosis, targets, monitoring, nutrition, activity, devices, and Medicare coverage.

Your Diagnosis and Targets

Pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal yet not in the diabetes range. The A1C test reflects average blood sugar over about three months. Most health organizations define prediabetes as an A1C of 5.7 to 6.4 percent. If you have prediabetes, you will usually repeat testing at least once a year. Your clinician may check sooner if you are changing weight, diet, activity, or medicines.

What to aim for:

• Work toward bringing A1C back into the normal range below 5.7 percent
• Focus on consistent meal patterns and daily movement
• Ask about a referral to a diabetes prevention or nutrition program
  Recheck A1C yearly and sooner if your plan changes

How an advocate helps:

• Connects you with dietitians and prevention programs
• Schedules labs and follow up visits so you stay on track
• Explains your test results in plain language and sets small weekly goals

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is common and very manageable with the right plan. Most adults get an A1C test at least twice a year if stable and every three months when treatment changes or if targets are not met. Targets are personalized. Many adults aim for an A1C below 7 percent, while some may use slightly higher or lower targets based on age, other conditions, and risk of low blood sugar.

What to aim for:

• Know your A1C target and when to recheck
• Check blood glucose as recommended by your clinician
• Use nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress tools to support medicines
• Ask about medicines that also protect the heart and kidneys

How an advocate helps:

• Coordinates referrals to primary care, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, eye care, and foot care
• Tracks lab schedules and reminders so nothing falls through the cracks
• Reviews medication literacy with you so you understand what each drug does, how to take it, and what side effects to watch for
• Checks your insurance formulary and looks for lower cost options or prior authorization support

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes requires insulin and frequent monitoring. Many people use continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, or hybrid closed loop systems. Your team will individualize A1C targets and time in range goals while prioritizing safety.

What to aim for:

• Learn a simple pattern for checking glucose and adjusting insulin with meals and activity
• Consider CGM for real time trends and alarms
• Discuss pump and automated insulin delivery options
• Build a sick day and travel plan

How an advocate helps:

• Navigates device choices and trains you on basics
• Coordinates prescriptions, supplies, and shipment timing
• Helps with school or workplace forms and travel letters

Monitoring That Fits Your Life

A1C

A1C shows your average levels for the past two to three months. Most people with diabetes check at least twice a year. Many check every three months when changing treatment or if goals are not met. People with prediabetes usually test yearly.

Self Monitoring

Finger stick meters and CGMs are both useful. Finger sticks show a point in time. CGMs give a flow of data, trend arrows, and alerts. For people who use insulin, CGM can help you prevent lows and adjust more confidently. Your care team can help you choose the right tool for your routine and budget.

How an advocate helps:

• Teaches how and when to check and how to act on the number
• Helps set up CGM apps and shares tips to reduce alarm fatigue
• Troubleshoots sensors and meters with your supplier

Food, Activity, Sleep, and Stress

Food

You do not need a special menu. You do need a repeatable plan. Many people do best with a simple plate method. Fill half the plate with non starchy vegetables. Add a lean protein. Add a modest portion of healthy carbohydrates such as beans, whole grains, or fruit. Pair carbohydrates with protein and fiber to smooth out glucose spikes. Aim for steady meal timing to match your medicines or insulin.

Activity

Regular movement improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar. Most adults aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity each week plus strength work two to three days a week. Short walks after meals can help. Start where you are. Even five to ten minutes counts.

Sleep and Stress

Poor sleep and high stress can raise glucose. Keep a regular bedtime. Limit late caffeine. Try brief breathing or stretching sessions during the day. Small consistent changes often work better than big swings.

How an advocate helps:

• Finds local or virtual programs such as SilverSneakers or YMCA options
• Identifies safe movement plans if you have pain, neuropathy, or balance issues
• Aligns meal timing and activity with your medicines and glucose targets

Medicines, Safety, and Cost

Medicine Basics

Your clinician may prescribe metformin, GLP 1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, basal insulin, or other medicines. These medicines work in different ways and many have heart and kidney benefits. Side effects are manageable for most people with the right plan.

Insulin and Devices

Some people with type 2 and nearly all with type 1 will use insulin. Pumps and automated insulin delivery systems can reduce highs and lows when used correctly. Training and follow up are essential.

Preventing Lows

Know the signs of low blood sugar. Shaking, sweating, confusion, or feeling lightheaded. Keep quick sugar on hand. If you use insulin or certain pills, ask about a glucagon rescue kit. CGM alerts can add a safety net.

How an advocate helps:

• Reviews each medicine and gives a step by step schedule you can follow
• Screens for drug interactions and duplicate therapies
• Sets up refill reminders and mail order delivery
• Helps you apply manufacturer savings when eligible and searches for less expensive equivalents on your plan
• Coordinates meter or CGM training so you can safely adjust to activity and meals

Medicare Coverage Many People Miss

Supplies and Devices

Part B covers blood glucose meters and testing supplies for people with diabetes. Typical amounts are every three months. Up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets if you use insulin and up to 100 if you do not. Your clinician can document medical need for more frequent testing if required. Part B may also cover continuous glucose monitors when you take insulin or you have a documented history of problematic low blood sugar. Coverage policies can change. Always confirm current criteria when ordering.

Insulin Costs

Under current law, a one month supply of each covered insulin under Part B or Part D is capped at 35 dollars. You do not pay a deductible for insulin. In 2025, Part D out of pocket drug costs are capped at 2000 dollars across the year. These rules can significantly lower costs for many people.

Diabetes Education

Medicare Part B covers diabetes self management training. You may receive up to ten hours the first year and up to two hours in each year after that. Many programs are available by telehealth.

How an advocate helps

• Checks your benefits, confirms suppliers in network, and tracks approvals
• Coordinates physician orders and the documentation suppliers require
• Enrolls you in covered education programs and reminds you when follow up hours are available
• Troubleshoots denials and disputes billing errors

Using The Video Steps In Your Care

The video highlights the exact services advocates provide and how they fit with clinical guidance.

• For prediabetes. We help you keep A1C in a safer range with scheduled labs, glucose checks as needed, nutrition referrals, and consistent follow up.
• For type 2 diabetes. We coordinate A1C and glucose checks, set up pharmacist or clinician consults, and support you if insulin is added.
• For insulin users and for many with type 1. We help you evaluate pumps and CGMs, coordinate orders, and train on safer daily routines.
• For costs and coverage. We check formularies, explain your medicines, and find the lowest cost path on your plan.
• For supplies. Glucometers and many CGMs are covered under Medicare when criteria are met. We guide your doctor on the exact order wording and supporting notes that suppliers need.

If you want help weaving all of this into one plan, visithttps://understoodcare.com/care-types/diabetes and connect with an advocate who can explain your diagnosis, organize your care, cut costs, and plan next steps with you.

A Simple First Week Plan

• ‍Monday
  Write down your current medicines and doses
  Set a reminder for your next A1C date‍
• Tuesday
  Plan three simple plate method meals you enjoy
  Add one ten minute walk after a meal‍
• Wednesday
  Check your meter or CGM supply levels
  Call your pharmacy to align refills on the same date
• Thursday
  Schedule eye care and foot checks if due
  Ask for a referral to diabetes education‍
• Friday
  Review low blood sugar signs and your rescue plan
  Place glucose tablets in your bag and bedside‍
• Weekend
  Meal prep a few fiber rich sides such as beans or roasted vegetables
  Take a longer walk or gentle activity you enjoy

When To Call Your Care Team Today

• You are having frequent lows or frequent readings above your target
• You started a new medicine and feel unwell
• You cannot afford your medicines or supplies
• You have foot wounds, vision changes, chest pain, or shortness of breath

An advocate can help you get the right visit fast and bring your most recent numbers and priorities to that visit so you get answers in fewer steps.

Diabetes Care and Everyday Life: Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between prediabetes and diabetes?
  Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not in the diabetes range. It is often defined as an A1C of 5.7 to 6.4 percent. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when blood sugar stays in a higher range over time, usually with A1C at or above 6.5 percent, along with other test results. Prediabetes is a warning and an opportunity to act early. Diabetes is a long term condition that can be managed with a clear plan for food, activity, medicines, and monitoring.
• If I have prediabetes, what should I focus on first?
  With prediabetes, the main goals are to bring A1C back toward the normal range, prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, and build habits you can keep up. That usually means more regular movement, a steady meal pattern that limits sugary drinks and highly processed foods, and follow up A1C testing at least once a year. Many people also benefit from a structured prevention or nutrition program. An advocate can help you find local or virtual programs, schedule labs, and break changes into one or two achievable weekly steps.
• What are typical A1C targets for type 2 diabetes?
  Targets are individualized, but many adults aim for an A1C below 7 percent. Some people may use a slightly higher or lower goal depending on age, other medical conditions, risk of low blood sugar, and personal preferences. Most people have A1C checked at least twice a year when things are stable and about every three months when treatment is changing or targets are not being met. Knowing your own target and your next test date is a simple but powerful step.
• How is type 1 diabetes different in day to day care?
  Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin because the body no longer makes enough of its own. Many people use continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, or hybrid closed loop systems to help balance insulin, food, and activity. Time in range and safety are key, especially around lows. Most people with type 1 need frequent monitoring, a clear pattern for adjusting insulin at meals and with exercise, and a written plan for sick days and travel. Advocates can help you navigate device choices, organize supplies, and prepare forms for school, work, or trips.
• How often should I check my blood sugar at home?
  It depends on your type of diabetes, medicines, and goals. Some people with prediabetes or diet controlled type 2 may not need regular finger sticks. Others using oral medicines may check a few times per week or before and after certain meals. People who use insulin, especially multiple daily doses or pumps, often need more frequent checks or continuous glucose monitoring. Your clinician will set a schedule that fits your plan. Advocates can teach you when and how to check and how to respond to the numbers so it feels less confusing.
• Do I need a special “diabetes diet”?
  You do not need separate meals from everyone else. You do need a repeatable pattern that supports blood sugar control and overall health. Many people use a simple plate method: half the plate non starchy vegetables, a portion of lean protein, and a modest portion of healthy carbohydrates like beans, whole grains, or fruit. Pairing carbohydrates with protein and fiber helps smooth out spikes. Steady meal timing that matches your medicines or insulin is just as important as what is on the plate. An advocate can help you connect with a dietitian and fit this pattern to your culture, budget, and preferences.
• How much activity should I aim for and what if I have pain or balance issues?
  Most adults with diabetes are encouraged to work toward about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week along with strength training on at least a couple of days and some balance work. In practice that might mean short walks after meals, light resistance exercises, and simple standing balance drills at a counter. If you have neuropathy, joint pain, or balance problems, the plan should be adapted so it is safe. An advocate can help you find gentle programs in your area and coordinate mobility equipment or physical therapy when needed.
• What should I know about diabetes medicines and safety?
  Common medicines include metformin, GLP 1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, basal insulin, and others. Each works in a different way and many also protect the heart and kidneys. It is important to know what each medication is for, how to take it, and which side effects to watch for. If you use insulin or certain pills, you should know the signs of low blood sugar and keep quick acting glucose nearby. An advocate can go through your list, provide a clear daily schedule, set up refill reminders, and help you and your clinician adjust if side effects appear.
• What does Medicare usually cover for diabetes supplies and education?
  Medicare Part B often covers blood glucose meters and testing supplies, with typical allowances over a three month period and higher amounts when you use insulin and have documented medical need. Part B may also cover continuous glucose monitors when criteria are met. Under current rules, covered insulin under Part B or Part D is capped at 35 dollars for a one month supply of each insulin, and Part D has a yearly cap on total out of pocket drug costs. Medicare also covers diabetes self management training programs, usually up to ten hours in the first year and follow up hours in later years. Advocates can help you confirm eligibility, coordinate orders, and enroll in education programs.
• How can an advocate help with the cost of diabetes care?
  Advocates review your insurance formulary and identify which medicines and devices are preferred under your plan. They can ask your clinician about lower cost alternatives, help with prior authorizations, search for manufacturer savings programs when available, and explain how insulin caps and yearly drug cost limits apply to you. They also review bills and explanations of benefits with you to catch errors and prevent overpayment.
• What daily habits make the biggest difference in the first few weeks after diagnosis?
  Small consistent steps are more realistic than sweeping changes. Examples include writing down your current medicines and doses, planning a few simple plate method meals you actually enjoy, adding a ten minute walk after one meal most days, checking your supply levels for meters or CGMs, scheduling eye and foot exams if they are due, and reviewing signs of low blood sugar and your rescue plan. An advocate can help you turn these into a simple weekly checklist and send reminders so they become routine.
• When should I contact my care team right away?
  You should reach out promptly if you are having frequent low readings or frequent high readings above your agreed target, if you start a new medicine and feel unwell or confused, if you cannot afford your medicines or supplies, or if you notice foot wounds, vision changes, chest pain, or shortness of breath. These are signals that your plan needs rapid adjustment. Advocates can help you get the right visit quickly and make sure your most recent numbers, concerns, and goals are clearly presented so you get useful answers in fewer steps.

References

• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-testing/index.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/healthy-eating/diabetes-meal-planning.html
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/a1c-test
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/healthy-living-with-diabetes
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes/game-plan
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/a1c-test/about/pac-20384643
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-diet/art-20044295
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-management/art-20047963
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-and-exercise/art-20045697
• https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S27/157566/2-Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes
• https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S128/157560/6-Glycemic-Goals-and-Hypoglycemia-Standards-of
• https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S146/157557/7-Diabetes-Technology-Standards-of-Care-in
• https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S181/157569/9-Pharmacologic-Approaches-to-Glycemic-Treatment
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/insulin-pumps
• https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/blood-sugar-test-strips‍
• ‍https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/therapeutic-continuous-glucose-monitors
• https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/insulin
• https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln7674574-medicare-coverage-diabetes-supplies.pdf
• https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=33822‍
• https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=52464‍
• https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/diabetes-self-management-training
• https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln909381-provider-information-medicare-diabetes-self-management-training.pdf
• https://www.cms.gov/files/document/lower-out-pocket-drug-costs-2024-and-2025-article.pdf
• https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11022-medicare-coverage-of-diabetes-supplies-services-and-prevention-programs.pdf

This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.