Diabetes Education Program

Diabetes Education is located on the first floor of the Aspen Centre, 640 Flormann Street, Rapid City. As you enter the lobby, go straight ahead and check in at the registration desk.

• Self-Management (individual and group classes available): If you have diabetes, these classes can help you gain confidence in managing your own personal health. Studies show that people who have education have better outcomes. The class is offered on a monthly basis and includes an individual assessment, a review of diabetes disease process, nutrition management, physical activity, medications, monitoring, high and low blood glucose, complications and reducing risk, psychosocial adjustment, and problem solving.
• Advanced Insulin Management: How to safely make changes in insulin doses, using protocols established by our endocrinologists, allows you to work closely with Diabetes Educators, can save you time and improve your health.
• Gestational Management Education: How to maintain blood glucose control during pregnancy and reduce your risks.
• Insulin Injections: How to use insulin tools, such as insulin pens or be prepared for hypoglycemia.
• Insulin Pump Management: This program includes clinical screening of skills necessary for insulin pump use, technical training on the pump, outpatient pump starts, recommended dosage rates, and making minor changes in insulin doses. Patients receive follow-up for two weeks to monitor insulin changes.
• Medical Nutrition Therapy: Includes glucose control, lipid profile, high blood pressure, healthy weight, meal planning, food labels, exercise and more.
• Pre-conception and Pregnancy Management: Designed for diabetes patients who are planning to have children.
• Pre-diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome: Many insurance companies do not pay for this important service. Consider attending our Preventing Diabetes Heart Disease.
• Preventing Diabetes and Heart Disease : This class is for individuals who are overweight, have elevated cholesterol levels, pre-diabetes or high blood pressure. Experienced Diabetes Educators help to identify risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, show you which ones you can control, and help you develop a personal action plan to improve your health. Cost: $30
• Happy Feet are Healthy Feet Cost: Free
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: Test for patients with unexplained blood glucose excursions, hypoglycemic episodes, high A1C with hypoglycemia, uncontrolled glucose, gastroparesis, and/or hyperglycemia. You will wear a monitor for three to four days.

Program Costs

Assessment and education costs vary according to your needs. You are billed for the amount of time you spend with the educator. Group class rates are less than the individual education. Please call for current rates.

Many insurance companies and Medicare Part B cover these costs after deductibles are met. Some companies require pre-authorization. Ask about diabetes self management training not diabetes education if you have questions about your coverage, contact your insurance company prior to your appointment to determine your coverage.

• Prevention begins at home
  
• Low-fat diets
  
• New Year's resolutions
  
• Tips for managing
• Importance of research
• Benefits of exercise
  
• What is diabetes?
• Three types
• Type 2 diabetes
• The role of nutrition
• The role of medication
• Children and diabetes