Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

According to Medicare guidelines, which patient characteristic is not a justification for individual sessions of diabetes education?

1. Patient prefers one-on-one education because they do not get along with others

2. No group classes are available within 2 months of referral

3. Patient has visual or language barriers

4. Physician has documented a request for individual education

The correct answer is: Patient prefers one-on-one education because they do not get along with others

One-on-one diabetes education sessions are justified based on specific medical or social needs that enhance a patient's learning and understanding of their condition. In this case, the preference for individual education due to interpersonal difficulties does not meet a medical or educational necessity outlined in Medicare guidelines. Medicare typically supports individualized education when there are identifiable barriers to group learning or when a physician formally recommends individual sessions based on clinical considerations, such as visual or language barriers, or when group options are unavailable. In contrast, a personal preference for one-on-one education due simply to interpersonal challenges does not constitute a compelling justification under the guidelines. This highlights the importance of focusing on barriers that directly impact a patient’s ability to learn effectively and manage their diabetes.