Gateway Health Plan^® Diabetes Managment

Healthy Returns Diabetes Program

If you are a Gateway member with diabetes, you might want to join the Healthy Returns Diabetes Program. Diabetes can cause problems for your heart, eyes, kidneys and circulation before you even know it. Diabetes can lead to heart failure. It is also the leading cause for amputations. Many people who are getting kidney dialysis are diabetics. Gateway offers a diabetic program that teaches you what symptoms to look for. As part of this program, specially trained nurses may call you on the telephone. The nurses teach you about the simple blood and urine tests you should have that warn you of some of the problems BEFORE you even know it's a problem!

The nurses are available all day long, seven days a week for this program. Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm dieticians and pharmacists are able to talk to you about your diet and medicines.

Here are a few reminders about managing your diabetes:

• Take your blood sugar readings the way your doctor ordered them.
• Make sure you get these tests at least every year and more often if the doctor tells you to: HbA1c, LDL-c, urine test. These will help to show kidney or heart problems.
• Go to your eye doctor and tell them you are a diabetic. You need a retinal eye exam at least every year. Your doctor can tell if diabetes is damaging your eyes during this test. Glasses cannot fix all eye problems caused by diabetes.
• Ask your doctor which lab tests you need to keep your diabetes under control.
• Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke. Get help to quit smoking by calling Pennsylvania's Quitline at 1-800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

If you would like to learn more about how to care for your diabetes, please call the Gateway Healthy Returns Diabetes Program twenty four hours a day at 1-866-366-9415.