DIABETES CARE IN 2026 Make and keep your appointments If you have had difficulty trying to see your health care provider regarding diabetes, you are not alone. New Mexicans face challenges getting in to see their health care provider to discuss problems related to diabetes. When New Mexicans diagnosed with diabetes are told the next available appointment is possibly three or more weeks away, it can cause additional confusion and frustration with a diagnosis that already causes those feelings. Tips for making appointments Make your appointment EARLY: ■Members diagnosed with diabetes need to see their health care provider at least twice per year, or more as needed, for routine diabetes discussions, care plan updates, and updates to their medication prescriptions. ■ Call and make your regular appointments ahead of schedule, earlier rather than later. KEEP your appointment: ■If you cancel your appointment, more than likely there won’t be another available appointment for a long while. Pushing your needs, questions, and care plan updates farther back can lead to complications and possible emergency room visits. If you need an appointment sooner: ■Ask to be put on the waiting list. Health care provider offices routinely have patients cancel their appointments or not show up. When a patient cancels, provider offices look to their waiting list and will call to offer you that appointment date and time. ■When the provider office calls to offer you an appointment from a patient who has canceled, try to attend that appointment to meet your needs. Care at your fingertips As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico member, you have, at no cost, access to Galileo (a telehealth primary care provider). You can access primary care around-theclock, all year-round, even on nights and weekends: ■Receive care by text, phone, or video in the Galileo app. ■Skip the scheduling. ■Request labs and referrals, and even get your prescriptions refilled. ■Call 855-648-8859 to talk with a Galileo representative to find out more. Get the tests you need Each year members diagnosed with diabetes need an A1C test, kidney health testing, and a diabetic retinopathy exam. Please remember to talk with your provider about ordering these needed tests and for help getting in to see an eye doctor yearly. Early appointments lead to early testing and help, which is needed to maintain your health and prevent serious diabetes complications. bcbsnm.com/turquoise-care 5
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