Terminology
Many terms and acronyms are used when discussing DSMES services. See the Glossary for other frequently used 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 how to fit 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 (CMS) uses the term “training” (DSMT) instead of “education and support” (DSMES) when defining the reimbursable benefit. The term DSMT is used specifically with billing. (2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support).
Acronyms
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