Eisenhower Diabetes Education Services

Since its inception in 1974, Eisenhower’s Diabetes Education Services has provided educational classes, lectures and individual instruction for people with diabetes in the Coachella Valley. It is the first program in the Coachella Valley to achieve recognition by the American Diabetes Association.

Successful control of diabetes depends on cooperation between the individual with diabetes and the health care team.

The primary goal of Eisenhower’s Diabetes Education Services is to offer patient-centered diabetes self-management education either in a group setting or 1-on-1 with the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). A referral is required.

When to schedule an appointment

Anytime is a good time to book an appointment with a CDCES (with a physician’s referral), but there are a few times in your life when seeing one is extra important:

• When you’re diagnosed with diabetes
• At least once a year or when you’re struggling to meet your care goals
• When new complicating factors arise (Medical or Social)
• Transition of Life or care

Understanding diagnosis lab values:

What is the A1c?

The A1C test can be used to diagnose diabetes or help you know how your treatment plan is working by giving you a picture of your average blood glucose (blood sugar) over the past two to three months.

Programs and Services

Individual and Group Instruction

For those who have a physician referral and meet insurance requirements, the professional staff of the Diabetes Program offers individual or group instruction and activities designed to promote self-management skills in nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, medication administration and other diabetes-related subjects.

Family members are encouraged to support their loved one by attending the sessions. Spanish speaking educators are available.

Click to download information about:

• Diabetes Education Services
• Diabetes Education Services (in Spanish)

Programs Offered

Eisenhower Health CDC Recognized Diabetes Prevention Program

If you have been diagnosed with pre diabetes, this is your opportunity to take action. You can join the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) if you qualify. Medicare fully covers the DPP. If you have private insurance, check your plan for coverage. The program is based on a curriculum shown to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in adults that are at high risk.

About the DPP Program:

The Eisenhower Diabetes Prevention Program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention/index.html), led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is proven to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. We also offer an ongoing DPP support group for those who have completed the program.

Program Highlights:

• Fully recognized by the CDC
• Fully Covered by Medicare
• CDC approved curriculum
• A trained Lifestyle Coach
• Group Support over the course of a year

Take the Prediabetes Risk Assessment test to see if you qualify

• ADA (American Diabetes Association) Prediabetes Risk Test
• Diabetes Prevention Program Flyer

Diabetes Prevention Program Testimonials

“This life-changing program at Eisenhower Health Center gave me my health, confidence, and future back. Embracing a low-carb lifestyle alongside a deeply supportive community of peers helped me finally lower my A1C, lose weight, and find joy in staying active. If you are facing pre-diabetes, please take this step—it truly transformed my whole outlook on life and saved me.” -Tim.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?
MNT is a personalized, nutrition-based treatment plan. The goal of MNT is to help individuals manage and improve their health through nutrition. This includes food and beverage choices, as well as nutrition support systems such as tube feeding and parenteral nutrition.

While nutrition education and counseling are often part of the treatment plan, MNT includes personalized assessments and recommendations from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to treat specific health conditions. Anyone can benefit from seeing an RDN, including those with diabetes, heart conditions, food allergies, eating disorders, kidney disease and more.

Is MNT covered by Insurance?
MNT is covered by a variety of insurance plans. Medicare Part B covers medical nutrition therapy for diabetes and kidney disease or if you've had a kidney transplant within the last 36 months. Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans may offer additional benefits, including coverage beyond the conditions covered by traditional Medicare. Medicare coverage varies from state to state.

If you have private insurance (such as through your employer), check with your insurance plan for specific coverage details. Your plan may cover nutrition services for a wide variety of chronic conditions and health concerns, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support (DSMES)

What is Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES)?
A DSMES program gives you the knowledge, skills and support to manage your diabetes. It provides you with the foundation to help you navigate your daily self-care with confidence and is provided by a diabetes care and education specialist.

Diabetes care and support is offered through DSMES programs (also known as diabetes education programs) that can be found in hospital outpatient centers, clinics, physicians’ offices, pharmacies and wellness centers, to name a few. Many of these programs are accredited by ADCES and the ADA, which means the program has met vigorous criteria set by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Although, Eisenhower Diabetes Education Services is the only one accredited in the Coachella Valley.

A Diabetes Care and Education Specialist can help you:

• Understand exactly what diabetes is and how it affects your body
• Discover how diabetes medications work
• Identify what types of food are best for you and how to plan meals that fit your lifestyle, culture, religious beliefs and budget
• Determine the best type of glucose meter or Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device for you.
• Explore and choose an insulin pump that works best for you
• Find apps and other tools that offer reminders and help you track your progress
• Help you cope with stress and solve problems as they arise
• Interpret data from your diabetes devices to get treatment recommendations

Topics Covered Include:

• Diabetes Overview
• Nutrition
• Adding Physical activity
• Medications
• Monitoring and use of results
• Family and social support
• Stress and coping with diabetes diagnosis
• Preventing Acute & chronic complications
• Foot, skin & dental care
• Goal setting
• Improving glucose control
• Use of health care systems & community resources
• Recommended Immunizations for people with diabetes

Diabetes Technology:

Insulin Pump review, training and optimization

What are insulin pumps?

For people living with diabetes who are tired of injections, an insulin pump can bring welcomed relief. Insulin pumps are small, computerized devices that deliver insulin in two ways

• In a steady measured and continuous dose (the "basal" insulin), or
• As a surge ("bolus") dose, at your direction, around mealtime.

A diabetes pump may be a good choice for:

• People who like the idea of a pump. If this is what you want, or you want it for your child, and it can be used safely, then it should be used.
• Active people, who benefit from changes in basal rates or suspending the pump when exercising.
• People who have frequent low blood glucose reactions.
• Anyone who has delays in absorption of food from the stomach (gastroparesis).
• Women planning pregnancy.
• People who want to use the pump’s bolus calculator functions to determine insulin doses.

It’s a Choice. Schedule a pump demo with one of our CDCES Certified Pump trainers.

Other factors to consider:

• The insulin pump doesn’t take away the need to check blood glucose.
• There are technical aspects to using a pump—setting it up, putting it in, interacting with it—that are more complicated in some ways than using injections.
• If it breaks or falls off, the person wearing it needs to be ready to give insulin by injection any time it is needed.
• It can be expensive, so find out which pumps are covered by your insurance and if those pumps meet your needs.
• All pumps are an extra piece of hardware attached to your body, either with tubing or attached to your skin. There are many clever ways to wear pumps and hide them from view, but they do take a bit of getting used to at first.

Insulin Pump comparison links:

• ADA: https://consumerguide.diabetes.org/products/insulin-pumps
• ADCES: https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/insulin-pumps/find-and-compare-insulin-pumps

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) set up and training

• Abbott CGM
• Dexcom CGM

CGM Comparisons

• ADCES: https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/glucose-monitoring/continuous-glucose-monitors-(cgm)/view-compare-cgms

Medication Management in conjunction with provider (insulin, orals, and GLP-1s)

Community Education

Eisenhower’s Diabetes Education Services offers free classes from October through June in English and Spanish.

Support Group:

Diabetes Support Group for persons on basal/bolus insulin and insulin pumps

Upcoming Events:

• Heart Walk November 14, 2026 at Civic Park in Palm Desert

Topics Covered in Classes Include"

Patient Resources

Class Information

Articles

Podcasts

Locations & Directions