TDES© Program | MCD Global Health

Featured Projects
Telephonic Diabetes Education and Support^© Program

The Telephonic Diabetes Education and Support^© Program (TDES^©) provides telephonic diabetes education to members of the Municipal Employees Health Trust who have a diagnosis of type 1, type 2, or prediabetes. This program aims to reduce any future complications related to diabetes.

The program offers:

Collaboration with employers who offer to members of health plan.
A voluntary self-management program.
Traditional diabetes education via the telephonic modality.
Partnership with local Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support Programs (DSMES).
Success: High program participation and completion rates with improved health and reduced medical costs.
Third-party administrators provide direct reimbursement to diabetes programs.

Success Stories

Connecting with Educators

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the TDES^© Program. It has truly changed my life. My last AIC was 5.9! I was thrilled! This is going from AICs that were above 8.

I attribute my success to my Diabetes Educator, Angela Moore, RN, CDE. We have had the opportunity to get to know each other over the last two years. When I started this program, I had a different diabetes caregiver. At the time I signed up for this program, I had my initial intake with Angela, and we met monthly over the phone. I felt a real connection; she showed me that she truly cared about me and my health. I say we got to know each other because she professionally shared some of her experiences and stories that helped me feel encouraged. Once I finished the first phase of TDES^©, I knew I needed to have Angela as my regular diabetes caregiver. I was blessed that she had an opening and could take me on as a regular patient.

Angela listened and adjusted my medication in partnership with me. It didn't take long, and I was feeling better, more rested, clearer head, physically stronger, etc. — it is, and was, life changing! I have had other medical issues, and Angela always makes time to listen. She talks with me about how my diabetes might react to or be effected by other things that are going on, and lets me know what to watch for and when to reach out to her for help.

The silver lining for me is that I get to keep Angela and see her regularly. She is my cheerleader!"
—Debra Palmer, TDES^© Participant

Location

Maine, U.S.

Partners

State of Maine, Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust, Anthem, and Aetna.

Funder

Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust

Duration

2007-2023

Website

tdes.me

Contact

Alphonsine Allen-Laney
Project Coordinator
aralaney@mcd.org

Our Results from 2020

100%

Of those who completed the program and returned satisfaction surveys indicated that they were “very satisfied/satisfied with their TDES^© Program.

70%

Of participants reached their blood pressure goals by the end of the program.

67%

Of participants reached their A1c of less than 7% (compared to 30% at enrollment).

Changing Your Lifestyle

A Wellness Works health promotion coordinator made Randy Keenan realize he wasn’t taking care of himself. Previously, his primary care provider informed him that he was pre-diabetic, and after discussing his blood sugar levels with his health promotion coordinator, Randy decided it was time to take control of his health. His health promotion coordinator provided him with information about the Telephonic Diabetes Education and Support^© Program and suggested he meet with an endocrinologist.

Randy took the advice and met with an endocrinologist who took over his complete health care. He also took advantage of another program offered to MMEHT members, TDES^©. Between the TDES^© program and following his endocrinologist’s directions, Randy lost 30 pounds and lowered his A1c (an average of blood glucose levels over three months) from 8.1 to 6.1. He attributes this success to listening to his diabetes educator about changing his diet, getting more physical activity, and the support he received through his participation in TDES^©.

While enrolled in TDES^©, he learned that visiting his dentist, optometrist, and primary care provider every year are vital to maintaining the great work he has accomplished over the past three years.

He is extremely grateful to the MMEHT Wellness Works program and TDES^© and is a graduate of all three years of TDES^© services offered through the MMEHT health plan.