Schedule Your Diabetes Care Screenings Today!
Caring for your health pays off. Members with diabetes can earn healthy rewards once they have completed their retinal (eye) exam, their HbA1c test, and their kidney screening all within one calendar year (12 months).
Get rewarded for getting your screenings!
Louisiana Healthcare Connections members with diabetes ages 18-75 earn $50 in healthy rewards when they complete all of the following once in the calendar year: HbA1c test, kidney screening, and retinopathy screening (dilated eye exam).
As you complete each health screening, your health care provider will let us know. After you complete the third screening in the calendar year, the reward will be added to your rewards card.
Call your health care provider to schedule your screening tests.
Your provider can help you manage your diabetes and schedule the screenings you need. These screenings are included in your benefits, so they won’t cost you a thing.
Don’t have a primary care provider? Find one using our Find a Provider Tool or call us at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
HbA1c Test
Get your HbA1c test to monitor your diabetes and help reduce the risk of complications. This is a blood test that measures your body’s average blood sugar. It is different from your glucose test. Some people need this test more often than once a year. Please check with your health care provider.
Kidney Screening
Detect kidney disease or damage early with this urine test. Kidney damage may occur 5-10 years before you have any symptoms. If you have kidney damage, you may need dialysis.
Retinal (Eye) Exam
A yearly exam catches vision problems early, including issues that could cause blindness. This is different than an exam for eyeglasses, but you do have to visit an eye doctor.
Find an eye doctor using our Find a Provider Tool or call us at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Resources to help manage diabetes
The Louisiana Medicaid Single Preferred Drug List (Fee For Service and Managed Care Organizations) is a list of drugs Louisiana Medicaid members can use if prescribed. The PDL also lists diabetic supplies that are covered with a prescription. These include certain meters, test strips, pen needles, lancets, syringes, and insulin pumps.
You can view the Louisiana Medicaid Single PDL (Fee For Service and Managed Care Organizations) (PDF) online. For a printed copy of the PDL, call Prime Therapeutics State Government Solutions, Louisiana Medicaid’s Pharmacy Benefits Manager, at 1-800-424-1664 (TTY: 711).
It can be hard to know what you need and how to get it, so we have Care Managers. They give our members one-on-one help with things like finding a health care provider, making appointments, or creating a personal care plan. They also can help with housing, food, or job needs.
Even if you just need someone to talk to, our Care Management team can help. For more information, call Member Services at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711) to learn how to get your own personal helper.
Don’t forget to bring your blood sugar log and glucose meter with you to all your appointments. Your glucose meter will come at no cost to you. In your log, you can keep track of important numbers like your weight and cholesterol levels. You can bring your log to future appointments and track your progress. Print the log here.
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center has created a Diabetes Clinic program to help prevent type 2 diabetes in people diagnosed with pre-diabetes. This program can also help reverse type 2 diabetes in those who have already been diagnosed.
You can expect to develop long-term lifestyle changes that will help you lose weight and improve your overall health. While on the program, you will continue to receive your regular care from your primary care doctor. The Diabetes Clinic was designed to be an addition to the care you already receive.
Ready to apply? You can apply online at www.penningtondiabetesclinic.com. You can also call to get more information or apply by phone at 225-763-2789. Questions can also be emailed to diabetesclinic@pbrc.edu.
Part of being healthy is having the resources you need when you need them. We know questions can slip your mind when you’re at the provider’s office, here you can now search for information any time you want.
Below are links to a few HealthSheets™ specific to diabetes that you may find helpful. You can always find more information at our Krames Online member health resource site.
Need help?
Call Member Services at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and let us help you schedule your screenings.