Managing diabetes? We’ve got you covered. | Oscar Rx | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Managing diabetes? We’ve got you covered.
Managing a chronic disease like diabetes can be overwhelming. But Oscar is here to help.
Getting Care Oscar Health Insurance
8 min read
MaryAnn Jonaitis
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Being diagnosed with a chronic disease like diabetes can be overwhelming. New medications, lifestyle changes, blood glucose monitoring insulin injections... it’s a lot to keep track of. But it’s super important.
Diabetes affects your ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that allows your body to turn glucose (sugar) into energy. Inconsistent blood glucose levels can affect your overall health and body function, and lead to serious health problems like blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, organ malfunction and cardiovascular disease.
While diabetes is a serious disease, it can often be managed through diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and use of insulin and medication to control blood sugar levels. We sat down with Oscar Nurse MaryAnn Jonaitis, our resident diabetes specialist, to explore how you can stay on top of your diabetes care management routine.
Build your diabetes health care squad.
Managing diabetes takes a little extra planning, which is why it helps to have a team of experts to make sure you’re getting the right medication, equipment, and care. Here are the types of doctors you’ll want on your roster:
Primary care doctors provide annual physicals and routine check-ups. They’ll help you get a sense of your overall health and establish a baseline for your condition. During your visits, your doctor can check your blood glucose logs, A1C (opens in new tab), blood pressure, and cholesterol, as well as discuss different treatments and management options.
Endocrinologists are hormone specialists. They can help you regulate your hormones (like insulin), which influence sugar levels in your bloodstream. Your endo will help you establish a routine for taking insulin and other anti-diabetes meds and staying on top of your blood sugar levels. These types of specialists are essential for people with Type I diabetes.
Ophthalmologists treat eye issues. Fluctuating blood glucose levels may cause eye issues that damage your retinas (opens in new tab). If you have diabetes, it’s important to get your eyes checked at least once a year. All Oscar plans cover preventive retinal checkups with an ophthalmologist for members diagnosed with diabetes.
Podiatrists treat foot conditions caused by damage to the blood vessels in your feet, a common health issue that occurs in patients who have diabetes.
Nutritionists can help you address dietary habits and make lifestyle changes that will reduce your symptoms and maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Your Concierge team includes care guides and a nurse who can help you find the best doctors to treat your condition and answer any questions you have about your benefits. Your nurse will help you build a care plan that includes exercise suggestions, information about glucose monitoring, and medical equipment guidance. They’ll also help you manage communication between your doctors and serve as a support system if you start to notice any changes in your health.
Doctor on Call is available 24/7. It’s a great option for last-minute refills on medication and equipment needs when your primary diabetes management doctor is unavailable. These doctors can help you manage symptoms when things come up. They’re also a great resource for weekends and hours when your doctor’s office is closed.
Talk to your doctor about taking insulin.
Insulin (opens in new tab) is the most effective way you can control your diabetes. People with diabetes often have fluctuating blood glucose levels which impacts the amount of insulin your body produces and can cause symptoms and speed up the progression of the disease. Upon diagnosis, it's important to speak with your doctor about how insulin may help you manage your condition. Many people who begin taking insulin soon after their diagnosis are able to slow the progression of the disease and prevent further complications. Combination therapy (insulin and oral medications or multiple oral meds) is used to treat 50-60% of people with diabetes.
Stock up on your medications.
There are a variety of medications used to treat diabetes, and it’s important to work with your doctor to determine which one will work best for you. Many medications used to treat diabetes are considered maintenance drugs. This means that 90-day supplies may be available through your local pharmacy. The most common types of drugs that are used for diabetes management are:
Insulin, which is administered through pens, pumps, and syringes. Depending on how you take the medication, you may need to order supplies through a durable medical equipment (opens in new tab) vendor. Be sure to store insulin properly, since it’s easily affected by extreme temperatures.
Oral medications, which may be effective in lowering blood sugar levels and optimizing organ function. There are different types of drugs that work in different ways to treat diabetes, including Biguanides, Meglitinides, Thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 Inhibitors, Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, Sulfonylureas, and Bile Acid Sequestrants. Metformin is the most common drug used to treat diabetes. It comes in a generic form that may be the most cost-effective option, depending on your plan.
GLP-1s, a newer class of injectable medications that may effectively control blood sugar without causing lows.
Over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin. Be cautious when using these types of drugs, though, since they often have additives and sweeteners that may affect your blood glucose levels.
Vitamins and herbal supplements like chromium, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, omega 3s, cinnamon, and B-1.
Stay well-equipped.
You’ll likely need diabetes supplies and medical equipment to manage your condition. Oscar works with medical equipment vendors like Better Living Now to provide you with these types of equipment. The most commonly used diabetes supplies are:
A blood glucose meter
Test strips.
Lancets.
Pumps.
A CGM (continuous glucose monitor).
Some diabetes supplies may be available for purchase at your pharmacy. Keep in mind that these are often limited to a 30-day supply. Depending on how often you use your equipment, it will probably make more sense to get them through a medical equipment vendor, since you can get a 90-day supply there. Give your Concierge team a call to discuss the best way for you to receive your diabetes supplies.
Check your blood glucose levels.
Maintaining consistent blood glucose levels in a healthy range will help you manage your condition and prevent health complications. Your doctor will help you determine your target range. You’ll typically check your blood glucose levels by using a lancet to draw a small amount of blood from your fingertip and placing it on a test strip inserted into a meter that reads your blood glucose levels. Your reading will guide you as to what actions you may need to take to stay healthy. Lots of things can cause fluctuations in your blood sugar, from menstruation to sick days to stress. Stay in tune with what's happening to your body, and ask your doctor for advice if there are other things going on with your health.
Nurse Jonaitis recommends checking your blood glucose levels twice daily, at a minimum. This will help you determine how your lifestyle choices may be impacting your overall health. She says, "Blood glucose monitoring is the best tool to help one manage diabetes. People don’t have a real sense of why it’s important. I want our members to have an ah-ha moment where they can say, 'My blood sugar is high because I had a big breakfast,' or 'I forgot to take my meds or exercise.' These readings can help members make determinations about things over which they have control like diet, exercise, and stress. Then they can start to adjust things so their blood sugars aren’t as high. Often, people don’t realize how bad they’re feeling until they start to feel better."
Get moving.
Establishing a solid exercise routine is one of the best ways to regulate your blood sugar, reduce symptoms, and avoid complications related to your diabetes. Talk to your doctor about ways you can implement exercise into your daily routine and maintain a healthy BMI (opens in new tab). Once you hit the gym, be sure to stay hydrated. Check your blood sugar level before, during, and after you work out, since exercise can lower your levels of blood sugar. Be prepared and have blood glucose tablets and a medical ID bracelet on you when you work out.
Eat healthy.
When your blood sugar levels are in flux, your body sends signals to your brain that may influence your eating habits, causing your blood sugar level to react even more. It’s important to establish healthy eating habits (opens in new tab) to maintain a consistent blood sugar level so that you experience fewer symptoms. Learn about carb counting and portion sizes. Coordinate meals and medications. Eat a balanced diet. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages. Remember that alcohol can seriously affect your blood sugar levels (opens in new tab). Be sure to get your doctor’s ok before drinking. Consider seeing a nutritionist if you need guidance on how to build better eating habits.
Your body produces hormones to help your body fight off sickness. This can affect your blood glucose levels, requiring you to take action to manage your diabetes. Take preventive measures to avoid getting sick. Take advantage of your free annual physical, flu shot, and pneumonia vaccine. Stock up on medications ahead of time so you spend less time on your feet when you don’t feel well. Stick to your diabetes management plan even when you’re treating another ailment.
Manage stress.
Stress (opens in new tab) can trigger your diabetes symptoms and prolong recovery, which is why it’s important to manage it every day. Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine through yoga, meditation, journaling, and exercise. Find time to relax. Try acupuncture or other non-western medicine techniques. If you’re going through a particularly tough time, try talking it out with a therapist or counselor.
If you have questions about getting treated for diabetes or managing your condition, you can call 855-672-2755 or secure message (opens in new tab) your Concierge team. We’re here to help!
