Diabetes educators are healthcare professionals –nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, podiatrists, among others – who focus on helping people with diabetes understand their disease and learn how to adjust their lifestyle and behavior so that they can develop the skills to successfully manage their diabetes at home, 24/7. Many diabetes educators have also earned the certified diabetes educator (CDE) credential.
Diabetes education (also called diabetes self-management training) is a covered Medicare benefit and is covered by some private insurance plans. It requires a referral from a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner.