Diabetes Wellness Classes
Every Week
UI Health is an American Diabetes Association-recognized education program that offers individual education and group classes, in English and Spanish, to help you manage diabetes and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Most insurance plans including Medicare & Medicaid cover ten or more hours of diabetes education in the 1st twelve months after a new diagnosis or your first time receiving diabetes self-management training (DSMT) to help you build a strong foundation of diabetes knowledge and gain the skills to successfully manage diabetes.
| Monday | Tuesday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 10:30-11:30 am: Pregnancy & Diabetes |
9-10 am: 10:30-11:30 am: 1-2 pm: |
|
| Week 2 |
10:30-11:30 am: |
9-10 am: 10:30-11:30 am: |
10-11 am 11 am-12 pm |
| Week 3 |
10:30-11:30 am: |
9-10 am: 10:30-11:30 am: 3-4 pm: Diabetes 202: Más Allá de lo Básico (SPANISH) (Feb, April, June, Aug, Oct, Dec) |
|
| Week 4 |
10:30-11:30 am: |
9-10 am: 9-10 am: 10:30-11:30 am: What’s to Eat |
|
| Week 5 |
10:30-11:30 am: |
A referral from your doctor and pre-registration is required to bill your insurance.
Classes are billed directly to your insurance and are covered by most insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid with a referral for Diabetes Education from your doctor. If you have questions about coverage by your plan, please call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to verify coverage.
UI Health’s Initial/Comprehensive Diabetes Education Program:
Diabetes Evaluation
The Diabetes Evaluation is for patients who have never received diabetes education at UIC before. The initial visit welcomes participants to our ADA-accredited diabetes education program with an individual session with one of our educators who tailors an education plan based on your individual learning needs. Please bring your meter, medications, and health history. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out a new patient survey.
Diabetes 101 Class
This 60-minute class is an introduction to diabetes self-management. This class reviews the different types of diabetes and basic diabetes self-management skills. This is a good class for anyone with a new diabetes diagnosis or who has not received prior diabetes education.
What's To Eat Class
This 60-minute class focuses on how different foods affect your blood sugar. This class will identify foods that raise blood sugar, foods that do not raise blood sugar, how to read nutrition facts labels, and how to plan meals you enjoy that will also promote stable blood sugars.
Diabetes & Exercise Class
This 60-minute class focuses on the power of physical activity and how different types of activity can be used to control diabetes. You will learn how physical activity works in keeping blood sugars down, how to decide what activities are safe and effective, and how to bring activity into your life. Let’s get moving!
Ask the Pharmacist Class
This 60-minute class reviews the different types of medications used to control diabetes. You will learn how your medications work to keep blood sugars in the target range, possible side effects, and how to take your medications safely.
Diabetes 202: Beyond the Basics Class
This 60-minute class builds on the basic diabetes self-management skills learned in Diabetes 101. This class reviews recommendations for managing diabetes and cardiovascular health day-to-day and year-to-year.
Understanding Insulin Class
This 60-minute class reviews the different types of insulin and how to safely and effectively use insulin as a tool to improve blood sugar control. This is a good class for anyone new to insulin therapy or those with questions about their insulin prescription.
Living Well With Diabetes Class
This 60-minute class prompts discussions and activities to practice diabetes self-management skills based on everyday experiences. Topics include meal planning strategies, preventing acute and chronic complications, managing stress, goal setting, and more.
Diabetes & CKD Nutrition Class
This 60-minute class walks through meal planning for both diabetes and kidney disease. Work with Registered Dietitians to navigate food choices to promote blood sugar control and kidney health based on your individual needs and preferences.
Post Program 1:1 Follow-up Visit
Individual education session to review progress made from your first visit and classes attended as well as plan for future diabetes self-management goals and follow-up education.
Post Program/Follow-Up Diabetes Education:
For patients who have attended diabetes education in the past, most insurance plans including Medicare & Medicaid cover two or more hours of diabetes education or diabetes self-management training (DSMT) annually to help you maintain a strong set of skills to successfully manage diabetes long term and as your self-management needs change.
Additional Information
Attended diabetes education in the Past, but are new to diabetes education at UI Health?
Schedule a Diabetes Evaluation – Appointments are available Monday–Friday.
Previously attended diabetes education at UI Health?
Schedule an individual appointment with a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist OR a class that meets your needs.
Other Diabetes Group Classes:
Pregnancy & Diabetes Class
This 60-minute class is for pregnant women with gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes to understand how to control blood sugars during pregnancy. Participants will leave with knowledge about dietary guidelines, blood sugar testing, and goals, as well as recommendations for exercise.
Individual follow-up appointment(s) with a Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist will be scheduled after attending the group class.
If you are pregnant and have type 1 diabetes, a 1:1 visit with a RD/CDCES is recommended.
Call 312.413.3631 to make your appointment today!
