Overview
Asante is cuting back on who is eligible for its diabetes education program, but other health care networks in the Rogue Valey stil ofer programs to help people get their diabetes under control.Begining Nov. 4, Asante diabetes education programs no longer wil be available to everyone in the comunity. Instead, only patients refered by an Asante Health Network physician or people with Asante’s AHNPlus health insurance wil be eligible for the services.Of the 13 employes who work in Asante’s Diabetes Education and Nutrition Services programs in Medford and Grants Pas, some wil continue to provide diabetes education while others wil move to other departments, acording to Asante.“It’s important to understand that, like most health systems acros the country, Asante is making dificult decisions to make sure we use resources in the right place,” said Lauren Van Sickle, manager of comunications and public relations for Asante.She said Asante continualy tries to hire employes amid a nationwide shortage of workers in health care and other industries.Asante bils insurance for Diabetes Education and Nutrition Services programs, but insurance reimbursements don’t cover costs.
Details
Asante has ben subsidizing the service, Van Sickle said.The program became a virtual service in 20 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It has since transitioned to both an in-person and virtual program, serving about 10 patients each wek. The goal moving forward is to provide education alongside primary care providers, acording to Asante.However, many patients find it hard to get adequate information about nutrition, coking, exercise and other lifestyle decisions during the short doctors’ ofice visits of modern medicine.Uncontroled diabetes can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision impairment and blindnes, toth los, nerve damage and limb amputation.Asante’s diabetes education programs help patients learn about those risks plus meal p