CAN A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR TREAT DIABETES

Wondering if your primary care doctor can help manage your diabetes? For seniors in Texas and Arizona, they may be your best long-term partner in care. Learn how PCPs support diabetes treatment and how Medicare covers key services.

How PCPs help manage diabetes

If you’re asking, “Can a primary care doctor treat diabetes?”, the answer is yes. Primary care providers can definitely help with the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, also known as type 2 diabetes.

In fact, for senior adults aged 65 years and above, especially those enrolled in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans, your primary care doctor is often the best person to help manage your diabetes.

Why? Because a good primary care provider offers continuous, personalized care, helps you navigate Medicare-covered services, and coordinates with specialists when needed. In other words, they’re your quarterback in the game of long-term health.

Let’s walk through why your primary care provider, or PCP, is fully equipped to help you manage diabetes, and how you can make the most of that relationship.

Click here to find diabetes doctors in Arizona

What is diabetes management?

Before we dive into the role of your primary care doctor, let’s talk about what managing diabetes really means.

At present, around 1 in 8 Americans has diabetes. When looking at people aged 65 and above, the number jumps to 1 in 4. As a result, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the US

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or prediabetes, ongoing management of the chronic condition is essential. That includes:

• Regular blood sugar monitoring
• Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
• Medications or insulin therapy
• Routine screenings for complications (eye exams, foot checks, kidney function tests)
• Managing other chronic conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol

That’s a lot of things to keep track of, but for convenient, consistent care, your PCP may be your best long-term partner in managing diabetes.

Click here to find diabetes doctors in Texas

How PCPs help manage diabetes

Your primary care provider spent years in medical school training in internal medicine or family medicine, both of which include chronic disease management.

For most senior adults with type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of this chronic illness, primary care is often all you need for effective, long-term management.

Your primary care provider is likely qualified and trained to:

• Diagnose diabetes based on lab results
• Start you on medications like metformin
• Order A1C tests, cholesterol checks, and kidney function tests
• Help you set realistic goals for blood sugar, diet, and activity
• Screen for complications like neuropathy or retinopathy

If you’re stable and your numbers are good, you may never need an endocrinology specialist. But if things get more complicated, your primary care physician can bring in reinforcements.

When do you need an endocrinologist?

Most people with type 2 diabetes can go years, or even forever, without needing an endocrinologist. But your primary care physician might want to refer you to an endocrinologist if you have:

• Difficulty controlling blood sugar despite taking meds regularly and according to doctor’s instructions
• Frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar
• Complications affecting your eyes, nerves, or kidneys

Even when an endocrinologist takes charge of your diabetes care, your primary care provider stays in the loop, kind of like a project manager for your health, making sure all the pieces of your healthcare fit together.

Diabetes management for seniors: Why primary care matters more than ever

As we age, managing diabetes becomes more complex. You may also be simultaneously juggling other health conditions like arthritis, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Your primary care physician is uniquely qualified to see the big picture.

In fact, studies show that people with diabetes who regularly see a primary care doctor have better blood sugar control and fewer complications over time.

Senior adults may benefit even more, because as your long-term care provider, your doctor:

• Knows how diabetes interacts with age-related health issues
• Will tailor your treatment goals based on your age, lifestyle, and other conditions
• Will monitor for medication side effects and drug interactions
• Will help you avoid unnecessary referrals, tests, or hospital visits

Helpful read: What happens if you don’t pay a hospital bill

Medicare and diabetes: What’s covered

Here’s where things get really practical.

Both Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover a wide range of diabetes-related services. Your primary care doctor is your main point of contact to help you access them.

Here’s what’s typically covered, and how your physician fits in:

Service	What it does	How your PCP helps
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit	Reviews your health status and risks	Creates a personalized preventative care plan
Diabetes screenings	Detects prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes	Orders blood sugar and A1C tests
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)	Personalized counseling from a registered dietitian	Refers you for covered sessions
Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT)	Education on meal planning, activity, monitoring	Orders DSMT and monitors your progress
Foot exams	Checks for nerve damage or ulcers	Performs basic exams, refers to podiatrist if needed
Eye exams	Screens for diabetic retinopathy	Refers to ophthalmologist and follows up
Therapeutic shoes	Help prevent ulcers and foot damage	Certifies medical need for footwear

Lifestyle support from your PCP

Lifestyle changes are easier said than done, especially when mobility is an issue or cooking healthy meals feels like a chore.

But your doctor won’t just hand you a pamphlet and send you on your way. Instead, they may:

• Refer you to physical therapy for safe, senior-friendly movement
• Connect you with Medicare-covered nutritionists
• Help you set realistic, doable goals
• Offer support for stress, depression, or emotional eating

Learn more: How sitting ruins your aging process

How often should you visit your PCP?

Here’s a general rule of thumb:

• Stable diabetes: Every 3-6 months
• New diagnosis or changes in medication: Every 1-3 months
• With complications: As needed, possibly monthly

Don’t forget your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, which is fully covered by both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. It’s the perfect opportunity to review your diabetes care plan and look ahead.

Learn more: What makes the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit a great and free benefit!

Smart questions to ask your PCP about diabetes

Make your appointments count with these questions:

• What’s a healthy A1C target for me?
• Should I be on a different medication or dose?
• How does my heart health affect my diabetes?
• Can I get help with nutrition or exercise?
• Are there any new diabetes tools (like continuous glucose monitors or apps) I should know about?

Learn more: The (un)surprising health benefits of walking 6,000 steps a day

Living in Texas or Arizona? Here’s how to get started

Whether you’re in Phoenix, Dallas, or Fort Worth, as a senior adult you will likely have access to Medicare-covered diabetes services.

Your primary care provider should be more than just a name on your insurance records. They should be your trusted health advisor, ready to support your journey every step of the way.

Highly trained and experienced doctors at IntraCare in Arizona and Texas specialize in caring for senior patients just like you, enabling you to manage chronic conditions with confidence.

Final thoughts: Can a primary care doctor treat diabetes?

Yes, and for many, they’re the best choice.

Your primary care doctor offers long-term, compassionate care, grounded in knowledge of your whole health history. They help you navigate medications, Medicare, lifestyle changes, and referrals when needed, all while keeping you feeling seen and supported.

So if you haven’t had a diabetes conversation with your PCP lately, it’s time to book that appointment.

Ready to take charge of your diabetes care? Find a trusted IntraCare primary care provider near you and get the support you deserve.