Information About Diabetes and 

Related Medicare Benefits

THE POWER TO

CONTROL DIABETES

IS IN YOUR HANDS

NATIONAL DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM
II The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious disease. It means your blood glucose 

(often called blood sugar) is too high. Your blood always has 

some glucose in it because your body needs it for energy, but 

too much glucose in your blood is not good for your health.

What does it mean to manage my diabetes?

It means that you can take steps to stay healthy and keep your ABCs 

(A1C (Average blood glucose), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol) close 

to normal. To manage diabetes you need to:

n Make healthy food choices

n Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week

n Stay at a healthy weight

n Take any medicines your doctor prescribes

n Check your blood glucose as advised by your health care team
Other self-care actions:

n Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit or call 1-800-QUITNOW 

n Ask for help if you feel down or have trouble handling stress. 

n Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and 

swelling. Call your health care team right away about any sores 

that do not go away.

n 

n Report any changes in your eyesight to your doctor.

n Get regular check of your eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Why should I manage my diabetes? 

If you manage your diabetes you may have more energy. Taking good 

care of yourself can also lower your chances of having heart, eye, 

kidney, and nerve problems. 

Make a self-care plan and review it with your health care team. 

The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands 1
2 The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands

What diabetes numbers 

do I need to know? 

You need to know your A1C (Average 

blood glucose), blood pressure, and 

cholesterol numbers (also called the 

ABCs). It is important that they stay 

within your target range to lower your 

risk for a heart attack or stroke. 

Ask your health care team 

what your ABC numbers 

and targets are. Keep track 

of your ABC numbers. 

What are the ABCs of 

diabetes?

A is for A1C. 

The A1C goal for many people with 

diabetes is below 7%. The A1C test 

is a simple blood test that reflects your 

average blood glucose over the past 3 

months. You should have this test at 

least twice a year. 

People who often have low blood 

glucose or people who have had a heart 

attack or are at high risk for a heart 

attack may need a higher AIC goal. 

B is for blood pressure.

The blood pressure goal for most 

people with diabetes is below 

130/80.

High blood pressure makes your heart 

work too hard. It can cause a heart 

attack, stroke, or kidney disease. You 

may need to check your blood pressure 

at home.

C is for cholesterol.

The LDL cholesterol goal for most 

people with diabetes is below 100.

Bad cholesterol, or LDL, can build up 

and clog your blood vessels. It can cause 

a heart attack or stroke.

2 The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands
The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands 3

Should I check my blood glucose at home?

Checking your blood glucose will help you make sure it does not get too high or 

too low. It will help you and your doctor adjust your treatment plan for your 

needs. Ask your doctor if you need to check your blood glucose.

How do I check my blood glucose?

You use a blood glucose meter (also called a monitor) and a lancing device (a tool 

to get a drop of blood) to check your blood glucose. The meter will read how 

much glucose is in your blood and give you a number. There are many types of 

meters. Some are made for people who have trouble seeing. Ask a member of 

your health care team to show you the right way to use your meter. Your team 

will help you decide when and how often to check your blood glucose. 

What should my blood 

glucose levels be?

Set your blood glucose targets with your 

health care team. The target range for 

most people is:

n Before meals: 70 to 130 

n 1 to 2 hours after meals: below 180

Be sure your health care 

team teaches you how to 

use your blood glucose 

meter. Ask how and when to 

test your blood glucose and 

how to use the results to 

manage your diabetes. 
4 The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands

Your blood glucose may get too high 

if you:

n Eat more than usual

n Eat foods high in sugar

n Exercise less than usual

n Have a lot of stress

n Have an infection or other illness

n Take certain medicines

n Do not take enough insulin or 

other diabetes medication

Your blood glucose may get too low 

if you:

n Eat less than usual

n Delay or skip a meal

n Exercise more than usual

n Take too much insulin or other 

diabetes medication

What can raise or lower my blood glucose levels?

What should I do with the 

results when I check my 

blood glucose levels?

Write down all your blood glucose 

numbers in a log book. Make a note 

of things on the list below that seem to 

raise or lower your blood glucose. If 

your numbers are outside your target 

range your team may suggest changes 

to your meal plan, activity level, or 

medicines.

Call your health care team if your blood glucose 

numbers are outside your target range for 2 to 3 days. 

Show your log to your health care team at every visit.
The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands 5

What is Medicare? 

Medicare is health insurance for 

people age 65 or older, under 

age 65 with certain disabilities, 

and any age with end-stage renal 

disease (permanent kidney failure 

requiring dialysis or a kidney 

transplant). People with diabetes 

who are eligible for Medicare can 

get the most from their Medicare 

benefits by learning about the 

types of services that are available. 

People with diabetes are encouraged 

to ask their health care team about 

the benefits they qualify for and 

visit www.medicare.gov to get 

specific details from Medicare.

What benefits does Medicare 

offer for people with diabetes?

People with diabetes enrolled in Medicare 

may be covered for all or part of the cost for: 

n A “Welcome to Medicare” physical 

exam when they enroll 

n A1C testing

n Cholesterol testing 

n Diabetes self-management training to 

learn how to manage diabetes 

n Medical nutrition therapy: nutrition 

assessments, diet management 

information, and nutrition counseling 

n Diabetes equipment and supplies 

for self-monitoring of blood glucose, 

including special equipment for 

persons with low vision

n Foot exams by podiatrist or foot care 

n Therapeutic shoes and inserts if 

n A dilated eye exam and glaucoma 

screening

n Flu and pneumonia shots 

n Diabetes medications 

n Insulin pumps

n Kidney function tests

n Counseling to stop smoking 

Medicare for People with Diabetes
6 The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands

What benefits does 

Medicare offer for people

at risk for diabetes?

People enrolled in Medicare who are at 

risk for type 2 diabetes may be covered 

for all or part of the cost for:

n A “Welcome to Medicare” physical 

n Yearly diabetes screening for people 

n Cholesterol screening – every five 

years

Points to Keep in Mind:

	 n Make a self-care plan and 

review it with your health 

care team.

	 n Learn your ABCs: A1C 

(Average blood glucose), blood 

pressure, and cholesterol. 

Keep track of your numbers.

	 n Ask your health care team if 

	 n Ask your health care team 
The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands 7

Here are some questions to ask your health care team:

q What are my A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers? What are my targets?

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q Should I check my blood glucose? If so, when, and how often?

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q What is the correct way to use my meter? 

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q What is my blood glucose target range? 

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8 The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands

q What should I do if my readings are too high or too low? 

___________________________________________________________________________

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q Do I qualify for any Medicare benefits such as diabetes self-management 

training or medical nutrition therapy services?

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q Are there classes to help me learn more about how to manage my diabetes?

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q How should I take care of my feet? 

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q Doctor’s name and phone number 

___________________________________________________________________________

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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

301–592–8573 

www.nhlbi.nih.gov

National Diabetes Information 

Clearinghouse

1–800–860–8747 

www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

National Kidney Disease Education 

Program

1–866–4–KIDNEY (1–866–454–3639)

www.nkdep.nih.gov

To learn more, contact:

National Diabetes Education Program

1–888–693-NDEP (6337) 

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

American Association of 

Diabetes Educators

1–800–338-3633 

www.diabeteseducator.org

American Diabetes Association

1–800–DIABETES (1–800–342–2383) 

www.diabetes.org

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

1-800-877-1600 

www.eatright.org

American Heart Association

1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) 

www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

1–800–CDC–INFO (1-800-232-4636) 

www.cdc.gov/diabetes

Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services 

1–800–MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227), 

 in English and Spanish 

TTY/TDD 1–877–486–2048 (TTY/TDD) 

www.medicare.gov/navigation/manage-yourhealth/preventive-services/diabetes-screening.

aspx

 

www.medicare.gov/caregivers 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) 

is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention with the support of more than 200 partner organizations. 

1–888–693-NDEP (6337) TTY: 1-866-569-1162 www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

This booklet was reviewed for technical accuracy by Linda Haas, Ph.C., R.N., C.D.E., Endocrinology 

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle 

Division, and Sandra Burke, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.P., C.D.E., B.C.-A.D.M., Clinical Assistant Professor 

and Associate Director Central Illinois Regional Program UIC College of Nursing.

 

Participants in research studies can play a more active role in improving their own health 

and help others by contributing to health-related research. 

See www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projects/index.htm. 

Revised November 2009 NIH Publications No. 12-4849 NDEP-38