Diabetes Education

Since 1987, Citrus Memorial Health System’s diabetes education program has taught people with diabetes how to manage and control their disease. We are committed to providing the most up to date information to our patients and their families in an effort to improve the quality of their lives.

Staff works closely with other health care professionals to aid you and your family in becoming independent in self managing your diabetes. We invite you to bring additional family members with you to educational classes so that all members are familiar with the disease and treatment process.

The Center also provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for patients identified to have renal disease or gestational diabetes.

As the only local program certified by the American Diabetes Association for diabetes education, a certified diabetes educator and a registered dietitian administer the classes, which are kept to 12 people or less.

Available during the day in a 3-week series or during the evenings in a 6-week series, classes cover a number of topics, including:

  • Living with Diabetes
  • The Role of Medication: Oral/Insulin
  • Achieving Control – Know When You Are Out of Control
  • Dietary Management and Individualized Meal Plans
  • Preventing Complications
  • Blood Glucose Monitoring
  • Exercise
  • Stress Management
  • Sick Days
  • Future sessions will include carb counting and a shopping tour

Anyone may register for the diabetes education classes. Medicare and most insurance companies provide reimbursement for 10 hours of classroom time with a physician’s order.

Our center is located in the Historic School House at Citrus Memorial Hospital. 502 W. Highland Blvd, Inverness, Florida 34452

 A west-side clinic is also held at Citrus Memorial Healthcare Center at Sugarmill Woods. 7945 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, Florida  34446

 

Sign up for a class

For more information or to register for a class, contact the Diabetes Education department at (352) 341-6110 or (352) 344-6568 and select the class day and time that works best for you. Then, our business office will contact you for pre-registration over the phone. 

 

Before Class

  •  You can either arrive 30 minutes prior to your first class or stop by the hospital at your convenience the week before.  Either way, you will need to go to Admitting and sign some paperwork. This process usually takes about 15-20 minutes. (Admitting is located just inside the front door, at Main Entrance A.  If you need assistance, just ask one of our helpful volunteers at the front desk.)
  •  Write down any questions you have.
  •  Write down all your medications and supplements
  •  Bring your meter and your log book.
  •  Bring a recent food history or food diary, if possible.

 

Day of Class

Arrive about 5 to 10 minutes early. Parking in Inverness is at a premium at the Historic Schoolhouse.  For your convenience we place orange parking cones in several parking spaces to reserve you a spot. You may move the cone to the side when you arrive.

Parking is readily available at the Sugarmill Woods Campus.

 

NEW

Looking for Diabetic-friendly recipes? Look no further!

Join our Diabetes Support Group on the 4th Wednesday of the month.

 We’re now offering community cooking classes that focus on diabetic-friendly recipes. Some of our upcoming programs include Fiber, Thanksgiving and Holiday Eating, Analyzing Recipes and Holiday Parties. Call 560-6266 to sign up for one of these interactive (and delicious) demonstrations.

 

 

Insurance Coverage

Chapter 96-279 Florida Law requires health insurance policies and HMO contracts sold in Florida to provide coverage for medically necessary diabetes supplies and self-management training.  This law also covers Medicare beneficiaries.  A referral from your physician is necessary for insurance and Medicare reimbursement.

 Medicare allows up to 10 hours of education classes and 3 hours of additional Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), as a one time benefit to any beneficiary that has a diagnosis of diabetes.  Medicare also provides for up to 2 hours of additional education and 2 hours of MNT, each calendar year after the initial training, should you need or want it.