Optimizing Diabetes Management for Primary Care Professionals | Recording-Optimizing Diabetes Management for Primary Care Professionals

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar discussed integrating Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) into primary care to enhance diabetes management using continuous glucose monitor (CGM) technology. CDCES professionals, including nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and physicians trained extensively in diabetes, play a vital role in educating patients on self-management, reducing diabetes burden, supporting behavioral health, and improving health outcomes. Their involvement benefits clinics by easing provider workloads, optimizing diabetes technology use (such as CGMs and smart insulin pens), and supporting clinical teams.<br /><br />Medicare and many commercial insurers cover diabetes self-management education and medical nutrition therapy, which CDCES can provide through ongoing, personalized sessions. The addition of CDCES in primary care improves patient outcomes, lowers healthcare costs, and can increase clinic revenue via CGM interpretation billing (CPT 95251). Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians can bill for CGM data interpretation during clinic visits or remotely, generating significant relative value units (RVUs) over time.<br /><br />Panelists shared strategies to incorporate CDCES and CGM workflows, highlighting the importance of collaboration among clinicians, educators, and staff and the need for streamlined documentation and billing processes. Success stories included patient cases reflecting improved glycemic control after CDCES intervention. Clinics benefited financially by creating ADA-accredited multi-site programs enabling billing and sustainable CDCES roles.<br /><br />Challenges include device ordering logistics, staff education, and primary care providers’ limited time to interpret CGM data. Solutions include designating champions to manage downloads, starting with one CGM platform for staff proficiency, and creative billing models like remote monitoring and collaborative visits. The panel emphasized that integrating CDCES and diabetes technology into primary care is essential to meet growing diabetes care demands efficiently and improve quality of life for patients.

Keywords

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists

CDCES

primary care integration

continuous glucose monitor

CGM technology

diabetes self-management education

medical nutrition therapy

CGM data interpretation

billing and reimbursement

collaborative care model

diabetes management outcomes