Diabetes education program managers must be aware of the current standards and how certifying bodies interpret these standards.

Medicare and most other insurers require all contracted diabetes education programs to comply with the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. The standards are "designed to define quality diabetes self-management education that can be implemented in diverse settings and will facilitate improvement in heath care outcomes."

The National Standards for Diabetes Self- Management Education were developed with the support of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in the early 1980s. After pilot testing of the standards and review criteria, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) began an application and review process to determine whether diabetes education programs meet the standards. Programs meeting the standards are granted official recognition by the ADA.

These standards are reviewed and revised at intervals. The most recent revision of the standards was published in Spring of 2000 by a multiorgizational steering committee task force with representation from:

• American Association of Diabetes Educators

• American Diabetes Association

• American Dietetic Association

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Diabetes Research and Training Centers

• Indian Health Service

• Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International

• National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators

• Veteran's Heath Administration

The partners at Alamo Diabetes Team have many years experience in interpreting and maintaining these national standards in a variety of practice settings - hospital based outpatient programs, community-based programs, and independent, free-standing programs.

Contact us if you are interested in our consultation services on diabetes education program standards.