Diabetes is a health epidemic that affects millions of people. According to the American Diabetes Association, over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and another 96 million have prediabetes. Today, diabetes causes more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14th each year. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of diabetes awareness, prevention, and management. By leveraging technology and a coordinated care approach, providers can empower individuals with diabetes to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Additionally, this approach can help reduce the risk of complications associated with this chronic condition.
Managing diabetes involves regular medical visits, medication, monitoring, and lifestyle modifications. As physicians, it is essential to educate patients about diabetes to ensure better health outcomes.
The role of patient education in diabetes
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) can improve A1C levels and positively affect other clinical, psychosocial, and behavioral aspects of diabetes.
The NIDDK also states that over 90% of diabetes care is self-care. Therefore, diabetes self-management education and support are essential as they enable people to be the best self-managers of their condition.
Here are some aspects where you can educate diabetes patients to improve their outcomes and yours:
1. Understanding insurance coverage
Patients need to be well-informed about their insurance coverage to make the most of their benefits. They should know what services their insurance covers, including doctor visits, lab tests, medications, and durable medical equipment (DME).
Educating them about these details can help reduce confusion regarding billing and avoid unexpected expenses. When patients understand what their insurance plan offers, they can make informed decisions about their healthcare and financial responsibilities.
2. Diabetes medication adherence
Patient education is pivotal in improving medication adherence among individuals with diabetes. When healthcare providers explain medication purposes and proper usage, patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans.
Medication adherence is crucial because it directly impacts health outcomes. Patients who take their prescribed medications as directed experience better blood sugar control, reduced complications, and ultimately lower healthcare costs.
By educating patients about the importance of medication adherence, healthcare providers can contribute to improved diabetes management and better billing outcomes.
3. Preventive care
Educated patients are more proactive when it comes to preventive care. They are more likely to schedule and attend regular check-ups, eye exams, and foot care appointments. These preventative measures are essential for managing diabetes and reducing the risk of complications.
For example, regular eye exams can detect diabetic retinopathy early, preventing vision loss. Routine foot care can help avoid diabetic foot ulcers and amputations. By educating patients about the significance of preventive care practices, healthcare providers can help their patients maintain better health and reduce the likelihood of costly hospitalizations.
Learn more about the importance of preventive care in our blog Unleash the benefits of prioritizing preventive care.
4. Healthy lifestyle
Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and regular exercise, are fundamental to diabetes management. Patients who grasp the importance of these lifestyle changes are more inclined to incorporate them into their daily routines.
A healthy diet and regular physical activity can help control blood sugar levels, reduce the need for extensive medical interventions, and improve overall well-being. By educating patients on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, healthcare providers empower them to take charge of their health and reduce the financial burden associated with diabetes-related complications.
Investing in patient education can yield several benefits for patients and healthcare providers, such as fewer billing errors, faster payments, and improved health outcomes. Informed patients are more likely to understand bills or insurance statements, reducing the number of billing disputes and errors.
Regarding faster payments, clear communication with patients about their financial responsibility can lead to faster payments and a more predictable revenue stream. Lastly, patient education can also improve health outcomes since well-educated patients are more likely to manage their condition effectively, resulting in better health outcomes, fewer complications, and reduced healthcare costs.
At Health Prime, we can help!
Health Prime understands that patient education is an integral part of diabetes care that often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of medical practice and billing.
However, its impact on billing outcomes, patient satisfaction, and overall health cannot be overstated. By investing in patient education, healthcare providers can pave the way for improved billing processes, better health outcomes, and a brighter future for individuals with diabetes.
Our Health Prime solutions can help you enhance processes, reduce costs, and optimize revenue while maintaining the highest service levels. Put your practice in a position to thrive for decades to come.
To learn more about how diabetes patient education can help you improve patient care and increase revenue, feel free to reach us at [email protected]. Our team will set up a meeting to discuss how Health Prime can help you optimize your practice by cutting costs, saving time, and collecting more!
Subscribe to our Health Prime blog. Stay tuned to all the latest updates, learn how to improve your medical practice, and ensure you are getting paid for your work.
