Trust Helps Kids Battle Diabetes

By Scott Culver
Communications Specialist
WEA Trust

September 2004

Each year, more than 13,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, Type 1 diabetes is usually first diagnosed in young adults.

For parents whose child has been diagnosed with diabetes, the news can be overwhelming. It seems like there’s so much to learn in such a short time. You worry about your child getting the appropriate care. You wonder how you can best help him or her to develop good health habits. You face the challenge of trying to manage your child’s diabetes while trying to juggle the ordinary things that life can toss your way.

To help eliminate some of your worry, the WEA Trust now offers its health plan members a pediatric diabetes program called “Kids in Control!” This innovative program will help you:

• Understand what you can do to keep your child healthy.
  
• Maximize your WEA Trust health benefits related to diabetes.
  
• Work with your health care provider to ensure your child’s care is consistent with nationally recommended treatment standards.
  
• Coordinate your child’s care with school staff.
  

The Trust is here to complement your existing health care and to provide information you need to make educated health decisions. A registered nurse with experience in pediatric diabetes care will act as your program coordinator. Together, you’ll develop a program specific to your child’s needs.

"Kids in Control!” will give you the tools you need to manage your child’s diabetes effectively. For more information, please call (800) 279-4000, extension 2140, to speak with a program coordinator or send an e-mail to bpink@weatrust.com.

Your child’s participation in ‘Kids in Control!’ is confidential. Participation data is not shared with employers or schools. Your participation does not affect your health premium and cannot be used to deny health plan coverage or claims.

Posted September 14, 2004