At a glance
Find explanations and definitions for commonly used DSMES terms and acronyms.
Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES)
DSMES services help people with diabetes manage their diabetes in ways that fit their lifestyle. Participants will:
- Work with a diabetes care and education specialist to set and track goals.
- Learn how to use knowledge, skills, and tools to build confidence and emotional strength to manage diabetes.
- Practice fitting diabetes care into all parts of their daily routine—like when and what they eat and how they solve problems.
- Find ways to get support (in person and online) from family, friends, the community, and their health care team.
Diabetes self-management training (DSMT)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services uses the term "training" (DSMT) instead of "education and support" (DSMES) when defining the reimbursable benefit. The term DSMT is used specifically with billing.
Glossary
Abbreviations
A1C: Glycated hemoglobin (measure of blood glucose over 3 months)
AAA: Area Agencies on Aging
ACO: Accountable Care Organization
ADA: American Diabetes Association
ADCES: Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
BC-ADM: Board certified – advanced diabetes management
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDCES: Certified diabetes care and education specialist
CEU: Continuing education unit
CHW: Community health worker
CMS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CQI: Continuous quality improvement
DCES: Diabetes care and education specialist
DEAP: Diabetes Education Accreditation Program
DSMES: Diabetes self-management education and support
DSMT: Diabetes self-management training
EHR: Electronic health record
EMR: Electronic medical record
ERP: Education recognition program
FQHC: Federally Qualified Health Center
HCPCS: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
MNT: Medical nutrition therapy
MSSP: Medicare Shared Savings Program
NCQA: National Committee for Quality Assurance
NPI: National provider identifier
PCMH: Patient-centered medical home
RD: Registered dietitian
RHC: Rural health clinic
SMA: Shared medical appointment