Living with diabetes or prediabetes?
Whether you recently learned of your diagnosis or are looking for new ways to manage your health, you have the support of the Banner|Aetna team. We can help you understand and manage your diabetes for better health, today and tomorrow.
Set yourself up for success
It’s important to find the right provider to help you manage your condition. You can use the provider search, on your member portal, to find a primary care doctor or specialist you can talk with regularly. While primary care doctors provide effective treatment for diabetes, sometimes it may be a good idea to see an endocrinologist to ensure you are managing your health the best way possible.
You can also connect with registered nurses via a 24-hour hotline. We can help you get the right kind of help including care at home, finding nearby facilities and scheduling appointments. Simply call the Banner Nurse On-Call line at 888-747-7990 or log in to your member portal where you can find:
- Information about doctors
- To find providers with a diabetic care focus, use the find a doctor tool on the member portal or search as a guest.
- Your plan benefits
- Discount programs
- And much more
Want to learn more?
Below are resources, tips and tools to help you with managing your diabetes.
Key resources
To start, we’ve compiled a list of useful tools and resources to help you understand and manage your diabetes. To find local diabetes care and education programs available to you, check out the Key resources section here.
Understanding prediabetes and diabetes
Diabetes occurs when our bodies have complications with insulin. Type 1 diabetics don’t produce insulin, while those with Type 2 diabetes don’t respond to insulin properly. When left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health issues such as blindness, heart disease or kidney disease. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 American adults suffer from prediabetes and most don’t know they have it. Prediabetes raises your risk for Type 2 diabetes. It’s important to know the risk factors and how to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Take the Prediabetes Risk Test today to see if you’re at risk.
Learn more with these helpful articles.
Take control
You can manage your diabetes through diet, exercise, emotional support, and medical guidance. To help you stay in control, make sure to:
- Visit your doctor for regular checkups
- Check your diabetes ABCs - A1c, Blood pressure and Cholesterol
- Manage your medicines and provide your care team with a list
- Talk with your pharmacist about your medications
- Learn more about Banner|Aetna’s Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Program through Virta Health (See link below in resources section)
For additional information and strategies to help control your diabetes, see Banner Health’s Living Well with Diabetes ebook.
Get support
Take a class, join a support group or talk with your diabetes care team to learn as much as possible. Understanding diabetes will help you figure out which treatment plan works for you and your lifestyle. See key resources below for information on support available.
At Banner|Aetna, we believe that everyone deserves to feel the joy of achieve their best health. Our Care Management Team helps those dealing with complex health issues manage chronic conditions like diabetes. Read more about Care Management and why they might reach out to you.
Get more tips on how to manage your diabetes, with this diabetes flyer.
Keep a record
It’s important to keep a record of your test results, goals and progress to discuss with your doctor at each checkup. Managing things like your cholesterol and blood pressure can reduce your chances of having a heart attack or other problems.
Learn more about your diabetes record and keep track here.
Tips for healthy eating
To keep you on the right path, it’s best to create a diet that supports your needs with diabetes. The diet is a healthy-eating plan unique to your needs. To start, buy healthy snacks and prepare healthy meals at home.
Diabetes and Oral Health
One of the lesser known complications associated with diabetes is an increased risk of gum disease. Individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to infections, including those affecting the gums due to the impact of elevated blood sugar levels. This highlights the importance of regular dental check ups for people managing diabetes, as managing oral health can play a crucial role in overall well being and diabetes management.
The benefits of exercising
To properly manage your diabetes, we recommend adding exercise to your routine. Exercising can help you keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels down and sleep better. To start, first talk to your doctor about how and when to exercise as some types of movements can be harmful if your diabetes is causing other problems.
Your mental and behavioral health
Diabetes can affect your mental, emotional and behavioral health too. Being diagnosed with diabetes can create some powerful thoughts and feelings. But you are not alone. There are millions of people who have been in the same place you are and listening to their story or talking about your diagnosis are great ways to release any negative thoughts and feelings that could hinder your health.
Read: The Impact Diabetes Can Make on Your Emotional Health
Banner Nurse On-Call is always available to help — 888-747-7990
Key resources to help you along your journey
Tired of just managing diabetes? Our Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Program through Virta, doesn’t require exercise, medication, or surgery. Call the number on the back of your ID Card to see if your plan includes the Virta Health program.
Learn more about Banner|Aetna’s Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Program through Virta Health
Banner|Aetna offers classes, support groups and more to help you manage diabetes and take control of your health.
The Endocrine Institute at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix can help manage diabetes with cutting-edge, highly coordinated clinical care and ongoing scientific research.
The Endocrine Institute at Banner
MinuteClinic® at CVS®– Available to help you lose weight, on your schedule. Join the weight loss program and get a personalized plan based on specific diets.
Learn more about MinuteClinic® at CVS®
Arizona Department of Health Services - Diabetes Program is a great resource for locals in Arizona who are seeking support and guidance.
Arizona Department of Health Services
JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation can connect you to local support and community programs close to home.
The American Diabetes Association and the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases can help you find resources and tools to manage your diabetes today and for years to come.
The American Diabetes Association
The National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases conducts and supports research on many of the most common, costly, and chronic conditions to improve health.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases
Children with Diabetes online community – If you’re a parent of a diabetic child, you can get recommendations on regimens and hear how others cope with their child’s diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a great resource for up-to-date information and tools on diabetes.
See the latest CDC information
Transforming health care, together
Banner|Aetna aims to offer access to more efficient and effective member care at a more affordable cost. We join the right medical professionals with the right technology, so members benefit from quality, personalized health care designed to help them reach their health ambitions.
